Open AccessRelationships between climate and growth of Gymnocypris selincuoensis in the Tibetan Plateau
Author(s) -
Tao Juan,
Chen Yifeng,
He Dekui,
Ding Chengzhi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.1463
Subject(s) - plateau (mathematics) , climate change , climatology , westerlies , chronology , geography , east asian monsoon , north atlantic oscillation , arctic oscillation , physical geography , global warming , monsoon , environmental science , ecology , geology , biology , mathematical analysis , mathematics , archaeology , northern hemisphere
Abstract The consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the T ibetan P lateau, represented by glaciers retreating and lakes expanding, but the biological response to climate change by plateau–lake ecosystems is poorly known. In this study, we applied dendrochronology methods to develop a growth index chronology with otolith increment widths of S elincuo naked carp ( Gymnocypris selincuoensis ), which is an endemic species in L ake S elincuo (4530 m), and investigated the relationships between fish growth and climate variables (regional and global) in the last three decades. A correlation analysis and principle component regression analysis between regional climate factors and the growth index chronology indicated that the growth of G. selincuoensis was significantly and positively correlated with length of the growing season and temperature‐related variables, particularly during the growing season. Most of global climate variables, which are relevant to the A sian monsoon and the midlatitude westerlies, such as E l N ino S outhern O scillation I ndex, the A rctic O scillation, N orth A tlantic O scillation, and N orth A merica P attern, showed negative but not significant correlations with the annual growth of S elincuo naked carp. This may have resulted from the high elevation of the T ibetan P lateau and the high mountains surrounding this area. In comparison, the P acific D ecade O scillation ( PDO ) negatively affected the growth of G. selincuoensis . The reason maybe that enhancement of the PDO can lead to cold conditions in this area. Taken together, the results indicate that the Tibetan Plateau fish has been affected by global climate change, particularly during the growing season, and global climate change likely has important effects on productivity of aquatic ecosystems in this area.