Study Warns Climate Change Threatens Global Salt Lakes and Biodiversity

Ingrid Solberg | AFP

An international study reveals that climate change and water overuse threaten salt lakes, home to 200 threatened species. Understanding their ecological significance is key for conservation efforts.

An international study has highlighted the peril facing salt lakes due to climate change and excessive water use, threatening the existence of 200 species classified as threatened or near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The research, titled The Overlooked Conservation Values of Saline Lakes, was published in the journal Nature Communications in September. It was co-authored by 26 scientists from different countries, highlighting the global concern over these ecosystems.

The study examined 85 salt lakes worldwide, emphasizing the effects of environmental changes on their ecosystem services and the species they support.

Key Threats to Salt Lakes' Biodiversity

Focusing on lakes with a long-term average salinity exceeding 1 gram per liter, the study found that these bodies of water constitute more than 45% of the global lake water volume and 23% of their surface area. These places are biodiversity hotspots, supporting intricate food webs and critical habitats for many species.

Researchers assessed various types of salt lakes, including 27 soda lakes, 40 inland sulfate and chloride lakes, and 18 coastal lakes. The salinity in these lakes ranged from 1 to 375 grams per liter.

Among the 200 threatened species, birds represent 53%, with other species including fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. This study underscores the vital role these lakes play in sustaining rich biodiversity.

Why Salt Lakes Are Under Threat

Nurgul Balci, head of the Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry Laboratory at Istanbul Technical University, highlighted the critical ecological value of these lakes. She explained that salt lakes are home to complex food webs and vital to migratory birds, providing essential feeding, resting, and breeding sites.

Balci emphasized the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate change, largely due to their geographic location in closed drainage basins. The balance of water levels in these lakes is extremely delicate, reliant on factors such as precipitation, temperatures, and human activity.

Reductions in rainfall and shifts in temperature patterns, along with excessive use of surface and groundwater for various human needs, threaten to disrupt the natural equilibrium necessary for these unique lakes to survive.

Potential Implications for Urban Policy

The threats facing salt lakes due to climate change and overconsumption have significant implications for urban planning and policy-making. Cities that rely on water resources near salt flats must consider the delicate balance needed to preserve these ecosystems while meeting urban needs. Sustainable water management policies are crucial, with urban planners needing to integrate conservation efforts into their frameworks to protect these vital natural resources.

Furthermore, as salt lakes play a role in supporting biodiversity, urban policies must also focus on protecting the species dependent on these ecosystems. This involves international cooperation to establish sustainable practices and policies that mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure the long-term viability of salt lakes and their biodiversity.

Local governments can leverage this study to initiate conservation programs and policies that align with global environmental goals, ensuring their activities do not compromise these critical habitats. By doing so, cities can aid in the global effort to prevent biodiversity loss while supporting their sustainable development.

Questions That Matter

What did the salt lakes study find?

The study found that climate change and excessive water use threaten salt lakes globally, endangering 200 species classified as threatened or near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

What species rely on salt lakes?

Salt lakes support 200 threatened species, with birds making up 53% of this number. The lakes are crucial environments for fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, fostering rich biodiversity.