Climate changes threatens Lake Mälaren's ecosystem

Phosphorus loading remains a key driver for eutrophication in the lake. A warmer climate amplifies the problem through earlier and higher surface water temperature, which leads to an earlier thermal stratification (the horizontal layer separating cold and warm water).

- This increases the risk that there won't be enough oxygen for all the decomposition processes taking place in the bottom water during the period of thermal stratification. When the oxygen levels in bottom waters becasue of decomposition processes becomes too low at the end of summer, the chemical conditions become perfect for previously sedimented phosphorus to be released into the water, further exacerbating eutrophication, says Stina Drakare, researcher at the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, SLU.

The aquatic animals that prefer the cold bottom water and use it as their refuge during the summer become stressed by the oxygen deficiency. They then move to shallower areas with more oxygen, but these areas are at the same time too warm for them.

Oxygen Depletion Threatens Cold-Water Species in Mälaren

Mälaren is home to several fish and crustacean species that depend on cold, oxygen-rich bottom water in summer. The report shows that many of the lake’s deep areas have insufficient oxygen levels in August and September.
With climate change advancing, it becomes even more important to reduce nutrient inputs from the catchment area to avoid losing these cold-water species.

Interdependence of cold- and warm-water species

Mälaren’s ecosystem is built on a food web combining both cold- and warm-water species that rely on one another.

- For example, the popular fish pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a warm-water species that benefits from warming – but it primarily feeds on smelt and vendace, both cold-water species negatively affected by warmer weather. Smelt and vendace, in turn, feed on the amphipod Monoporeia affinis, another cold-water species, explaines Stina.

Monoporeia is a glacial relict, that has not been found in regular monitoring samples in Mälaren in recent years.

- We only sample five sites in a very large lake, but we were concerned enough to apply for extra funding to sample more locations in Mälaren, says Stina.

The study, funded by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, revealed that Monoporeia still exists in the lake – but in new locations and at lower densities. ”They were now found in shallower waters, at around 30 metres depth instead of 40–50 metres. We were relieved to find them,” Stina finishes.

Lake Mälaren is one of Sweden’s most important lakes. Acting now is essential to safeguard both its water quality and ecological integrity.