Conservation of unique ecosystems in large northern lakes

The biodiversity crisis is emerging as one of humanities existential risks, and there is a desperate need for increased and more efficient conservation efforts.

Preliminary research findings now show that one of Swedens strongest conservation responsibilities may lie in a nature type that has so far gotten limited attention – the large, northern lakes.

In many of these lakes, speciation processes have formed dwarf ecotypes of whitefish and arctic char that in turn seem to induce rich predator communities of piscivorous fish and birds.

Several of these top predators are threatened, and the food chains in their entirety constitute fascinating and totally unique examples of how rapid speciation can contribute to the build-up of novel ecosystems.

Unfortunately, dwarf ecotypes are declining or even disappearing in many lakes, and there is currently little knowledge about the causes and consequences of this phenomenon.

In the proposed project, I will study the importance of speciation for northern lake ecosystems, the ecological changes that threaten speciation-driven food chains, if lost dwarf ecotypes can be restored and how this new knowledge can be implemented in Swedish water management.

The project will provide new tools and improve decision making in the work towards reaching the environmental objectives and the sustainable development goals.

In a broader perspective, I hope to direct the attention of international conservation work to the values of northern lakes.