Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains

Autores
Brighenti, Stefano; Millar, Constance; Hotaling, Scott; Reato, Agustina; Wiegand, Tim; Hayashi, Masaki; Carturan, Luca; Morriss, Matthew; Bearzot, Francesca; Lencioni, Valeria; Scotti, Alberto; Janicke, Andrina; Fischer, Melina Andrea; Larsen, Stefano; Benech, Andrea; Gschwentner, Andreas; Tolotti, Monica; Bruno, Maria Cristina; Finn, Debra S.; Freppaz, Michele; Herbst, David; Tronstad, Lusha; Comiti, Francesco; Colombo, Nicola
Año de publicación
2025
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Climate change is reducing the extent of cold aquatic habitats and their unique biodiversity in mountain areas. However, a variety of cold rocky landforms (CRLs) are thermally buffered and feed cold springs (< 2°C) that may represent climate refugia for cold-adapted organisms. These landforms, hitherto overlooked by freshwater research, include rock glaciers, debris-covered glaciers, talus slopes, protalus ramparts, and young moraines. Here, we investigated the warm-season water temperature of 228 springs from clean (ice) glaciers, CRLs, and reference slopes (not sourced by any of these features) in 13 mountain ranges of Europe, South America, and North America. Only springs from glaciers (90%) and CRLs (45%) had average stream temperatures below the thermal optimum for coldwater organisms of 2°C. Springs fed by CRLs were 3-5°C (up to 9°C) colder than those from nearby reference slopes. In general, cold springs were rarer in mediterranean/semi-arid climates than in temperate and sub-polar climates. Landforms comprising barren and coarse rocky surfaces or ice/rock mix, having a simple or absent soil/vegetation structure, and higher likelihood of permafrost more often supported cold springs. When water temperatures were compared to air temperature, most CRL springs were thermally buffered against warm periods, cumulative heat, and daily temperature fluctuations. With cold conditions maintained in a variety of climates and mountain landscapes, CRL springs in mountains likely have high conservation value. We call for integrated ecological and hydrological research for these ecosystems, aimed at understanding their potential as climate refugia.
Fil: Brighenti, Stefano. Eco Research; Italia. Free University of Bolzano; Italia
Fil: Millar, Constance. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados Unidos
Fil: Hotaling, Scott. State University of Utah; Estados Unidos
Fil: Reato, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina
Fil: Wiegand, Tim. University of Wuerzburg; Alemania
Fil: Hayashi, Masaki. University of Calgary; Canadá
Fil: Carturan, Luca. Università di Padova; Italia
Fil: Morriss, Matthew. Utah Geological Survey; Estados Unidos
Fil: Bearzot, Francesca. University of Calgary; Canadá
Fil: Lencioni, Valeria. Muse-museo Delle Scienze; Italia
Fil: Scotti, Alberto. Apem Ltd.; Reino Unido
Fil: Janicke, Andrina. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;
Fil: Fischer, Melina Andrea. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Larsen, Stefano. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach,; Italia
Fil: Benech, Andrea. University Of Turin; Italia
Fil: Gschwentner, Andreas. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;
Fil: Tolotti, Monica. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; Italia
Fil: Bruno, Maria Cristina. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; Italia
Fil: Finn, Debra S.. Missouri State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Freppaz, Michele. University Of Turin; Italia
Fil: Herbst, David. Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory; Estados Unidos
Fil: Tronstad, Lusha. University Of Wyoming (uw);
Fil: Comiti, Francesco. Università di Padova; Italia
Fil: Colombo, Nicola. University Of Turin; Italia
Materia
icy seeps
ice-embedded moraine
talus
coarse blocky surface
surface
ice-rock features
climate change
cold habitat
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/269354

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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountainsBrighenti, StefanoMillar, ConstanceHotaling, ScottReato, AgustinaWiegand, TimHayashi, MasakiCarturan, LucaMorriss, MatthewBearzot, FrancescaLencioni, ValeriaScotti, AlbertoJanicke, AndrinaFischer, Melina AndreaLarsen, StefanoBenech, AndreaGschwentner, AndreasTolotti, MonicaBruno, Maria CristinaFinn, Debra S.Freppaz, MicheleHerbst, DavidTronstad, LushaComiti, FrancescoColombo, Nicolaicy seepsice-embedded morainetaluscoarse blocky surfacesurfaceice-rock featuresclimate changecold habitathttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.5https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1Climate change is reducing the extent of cold aquatic habitats and their unique biodiversity in mountain areas. However, a variety of cold rocky landforms (CRLs) are thermally buffered and feed cold springs (< 2°C) that may represent climate refugia for cold-adapted organisms. These landforms, hitherto overlooked by freshwater research, include rock glaciers, debris-covered glaciers, talus slopes, protalus ramparts, and young moraines. Here, we investigated the warm-season water temperature of 228 springs from clean (ice) glaciers, CRLs, and reference slopes (not sourced by any of these features) in 13 mountain ranges of Europe, South America, and North America. Only springs from glaciers (90%) and CRLs (45%) had average stream temperatures below the thermal optimum for coldwater organisms of 2°C. Springs fed by CRLs were 3-5°C (up to 9°C) colder than those from nearby reference slopes. In general, cold springs were rarer in mediterranean/semi-arid climates than in temperate and sub-polar climates. Landforms comprising barren and coarse rocky surfaces or ice/rock mix, having a simple or absent soil/vegetation structure, and higher likelihood of permafrost more often supported cold springs. When water temperatures were compared to air temperature, most CRL springs were thermally buffered against warm periods, cumulative heat, and daily temperature fluctuations. With cold conditions maintained in a variety of climates and mountain landscapes, CRL springs in mountains likely have high conservation value. We call for integrated ecological and hydrological research for these ecosystems, aimed at understanding their potential as climate refugia.Fil: Brighenti, Stefano. Eco Research; Italia. Free University of Bolzano; ItaliaFil: Millar, Constance. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados UnidosFil: Hotaling, Scott. State University of Utah; Estados UnidosFil: Reato, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Wiegand, Tim. University of Wuerzburg; AlemaniaFil: Hayashi, Masaki. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Carturan, Luca. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Morriss, Matthew. Utah Geological Survey; Estados UnidosFil: Bearzot, Francesca. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Lencioni, Valeria. Muse-museo Delle Scienze; ItaliaFil: Scotti, Alberto. Apem Ltd.; Reino UnidoFil: Janicke, Andrina. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;Fil: Fischer, Melina Andrea. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Larsen, Stefano. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach,; ItaliaFil: Benech, Andrea. University Of Turin; ItaliaFil: Gschwentner, Andreas. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;Fil: Tolotti, Monica. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; ItaliaFil: Bruno, Maria Cristina. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; ItaliaFil: Finn, Debra S.. Missouri State University; Estados UnidosFil: Freppaz, Michele. University Of Turin; ItaliaFil: Herbst, David. Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Tronstad, Lusha. University Of Wyoming (uw);Fil: Comiti, Francesco. Università di Padova; ItaliaFil: Colombo, Nicola. University Of Turin; ItaliaIOP Publishing2025-07info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/269354Brighenti, Stefano; Millar, Constance; Hotaling, Scott; Reato, Agustina; Wiegand, Tim; et al.; Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains; IOP Publishing; Environmental Research Letters; 2025; 7-2025; 1-301748-9326CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adf07finfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1088/1748-9326/adf07finfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-10-22T11:29:51Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/269354instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-10-22 11:29:51.963CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
title Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
spellingShingle Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
Brighenti, Stefano
icy seeps
ice-embedded moraine
talus
coarse blocky surface
surface
ice-rock features
climate change
cold habitat
title_short Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
title_full Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
title_fullStr Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
title_full_unstemmed Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
title_sort Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Brighenti, Stefano
Millar, Constance
Hotaling, Scott
Reato, Agustina
Wiegand, Tim
Hayashi, Masaki
Carturan, Luca
Morriss, Matthew
Bearzot, Francesca
Lencioni, Valeria
Scotti, Alberto
Janicke, Andrina
Fischer, Melina Andrea
Larsen, Stefano
Benech, Andrea
Gschwentner, Andreas
Tolotti, Monica
Bruno, Maria Cristina
Finn, Debra S.
Freppaz, Michele
Herbst, David
Tronstad, Lusha
Comiti, Francesco
Colombo, Nicola
author Brighenti, Stefano
author_facet Brighenti, Stefano
Millar, Constance
Hotaling, Scott
Reato, Agustina
Wiegand, Tim
Hayashi, Masaki
Carturan, Luca
Morriss, Matthew
Bearzot, Francesca
Lencioni, Valeria
Scotti, Alberto
Janicke, Andrina
Fischer, Melina Andrea
Larsen, Stefano
Benech, Andrea
Gschwentner, Andreas
Tolotti, Monica
Bruno, Maria Cristina
Finn, Debra S.
Freppaz, Michele
Herbst, David
Tronstad, Lusha
Comiti, Francesco
Colombo, Nicola
author_role author
author2 Millar, Constance
Hotaling, Scott
Reato, Agustina
Wiegand, Tim
Hayashi, Masaki
Carturan, Luca
Morriss, Matthew
Bearzot, Francesca
Lencioni, Valeria
Scotti, Alberto
Janicke, Andrina
Fischer, Melina Andrea
Larsen, Stefano
Benech, Andrea
Gschwentner, Andreas
Tolotti, Monica
Bruno, Maria Cristina
Finn, Debra S.
Freppaz, Michele
Herbst, David
Tronstad, Lusha
Comiti, Francesco
Colombo, Nicola
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv icy seeps
ice-embedded moraine
talus
coarse blocky surface
surface
ice-rock features
climate change
cold habitat
topic icy seeps
ice-embedded moraine
talus
coarse blocky surface
surface
ice-rock features
climate change
cold habitat
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.5
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Climate change is reducing the extent of cold aquatic habitats and their unique biodiversity in mountain areas. However, a variety of cold rocky landforms (CRLs) are thermally buffered and feed cold springs (< 2°C) that may represent climate refugia for cold-adapted organisms. These landforms, hitherto overlooked by freshwater research, include rock glaciers, debris-covered glaciers, talus slopes, protalus ramparts, and young moraines. Here, we investigated the warm-season water temperature of 228 springs from clean (ice) glaciers, CRLs, and reference slopes (not sourced by any of these features) in 13 mountain ranges of Europe, South America, and North America. Only springs from glaciers (90%) and CRLs (45%) had average stream temperatures below the thermal optimum for coldwater organisms of 2°C. Springs fed by CRLs were 3-5°C (up to 9°C) colder than those from nearby reference slopes. In general, cold springs were rarer in mediterranean/semi-arid climates than in temperate and sub-polar climates. Landforms comprising barren and coarse rocky surfaces or ice/rock mix, having a simple or absent soil/vegetation structure, and higher likelihood of permafrost more often supported cold springs. When water temperatures were compared to air temperature, most CRL springs were thermally buffered against warm periods, cumulative heat, and daily temperature fluctuations. With cold conditions maintained in a variety of climates and mountain landscapes, CRL springs in mountains likely have high conservation value. We call for integrated ecological and hydrological research for these ecosystems, aimed at understanding their potential as climate refugia.
Fil: Brighenti, Stefano. Eco Research; Italia. Free University of Bolzano; Italia
Fil: Millar, Constance. United States Department of Agriculture; Estados Unidos
Fil: Hotaling, Scott. State University of Utah; Estados Unidos
Fil: Reato, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina
Fil: Wiegand, Tim. University of Wuerzburg; Alemania
Fil: Hayashi, Masaki. University of Calgary; Canadá
Fil: Carturan, Luca. Università di Padova; Italia
Fil: Morriss, Matthew. Utah Geological Survey; Estados Unidos
Fil: Bearzot, Francesca. University of Calgary; Canadá
Fil: Lencioni, Valeria. Muse-museo Delle Scienze; Italia
Fil: Scotti, Alberto. Apem Ltd.; Reino Unido
Fil: Janicke, Andrina. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;
Fil: Fischer, Melina Andrea. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Larsen, Stefano. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach,; Italia
Fil: Benech, Andrea. University Of Turin; Italia
Fil: Gschwentner, Andreas. Institute For Interdisciplinary Mountain Research ; Austrian Academy Of Sciences;
Fil: Tolotti, Monica. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; Italia
Fil: Bruno, Maria Cristina. Research And Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach; Italia
Fil: Finn, Debra S.. Missouri State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Freppaz, Michele. University Of Turin; Italia
Fil: Herbst, David. Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory; Estados Unidos
Fil: Tronstad, Lusha. University Of Wyoming (uw);
Fil: Comiti, Francesco. Università di Padova; Italia
Fil: Colombo, Nicola. University Of Turin; Italia
description Climate change is reducing the extent of cold aquatic habitats and their unique biodiversity in mountain areas. However, a variety of cold rocky landforms (CRLs) are thermally buffered and feed cold springs (< 2°C) that may represent climate refugia for cold-adapted organisms. These landforms, hitherto overlooked by freshwater research, include rock glaciers, debris-covered glaciers, talus slopes, protalus ramparts, and young moraines. Here, we investigated the warm-season water temperature of 228 springs from clean (ice) glaciers, CRLs, and reference slopes (not sourced by any of these features) in 13 mountain ranges of Europe, South America, and North America. Only springs from glaciers (90%) and CRLs (45%) had average stream temperatures below the thermal optimum for coldwater organisms of 2°C. Springs fed by CRLs were 3-5°C (up to 9°C) colder than those from nearby reference slopes. In general, cold springs were rarer in mediterranean/semi-arid climates than in temperate and sub-polar climates. Landforms comprising barren and coarse rocky surfaces or ice/rock mix, having a simple or absent soil/vegetation structure, and higher likelihood of permafrost more often supported cold springs. When water temperatures were compared to air temperature, most CRL springs were thermally buffered against warm periods, cumulative heat, and daily temperature fluctuations. With cold conditions maintained in a variety of climates and mountain landscapes, CRL springs in mountains likely have high conservation value. We call for integrated ecological and hydrological research for these ecosystems, aimed at understanding their potential as climate refugia.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-07
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/269354
Brighenti, Stefano; Millar, Constance; Hotaling, Scott; Reato, Agustina; Wiegand, Tim; et al.; Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains; IOP Publishing; Environmental Research Letters; 2025; 7-2025; 1-30
1748-9326
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/269354
identifier_str_mv Brighenti, Stefano; Millar, Constance; Hotaling, Scott; Reato, Agustina; Wiegand, Tim; et al.; Global evidence that cold rocky landforms support icy springs in warming mountains; IOP Publishing; Environmental Research Letters; 2025; 7-2025; 1-30
1748-9326
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adf07f
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1088/1748-9326/adf07f
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv IOP Publishing
publisher.none.fl_str_mv IOP Publishing
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
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repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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