Turning up the heat: Research project investigates water temperature effects on freshwater systems

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems Climate change is likely to have a range of impacts on South Africa’s freshwater resources, causing a ripple effect of socio-economic consequences and putting the country’s already stressed systems under increasing strain. These impacts were explored during a two-day workshop held in the Western Cape in September 2008 and attended by more than 25 specialists. The workshop – jointly funded by the WRC and WWF – was convened by Helen Dallas of the Freshwater Consulting Group and Dr Nick Rivers-Moore (previously of ) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The main repercussion of climate change worldwide is anticipated to be increased air temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns. In South Africa, higher air temperatures are predicted for the entire country, while rainfall is expected to increase in the east and decrease in the west. The combination of rising air temperatures and lower rainfall in some regions will in all likelihood result in elevated water temperatures in riverine ecosystems, as one of the many sideeffects of climate change.

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