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<p>The aquatic ecosystems of Ladakh are characterized by cold-arid climatic conditions and persistent nutrient limitation, resulting in low primary productivity and constrained ecosystem functioning. This study aims to evaluate ecosystem productivity and nutrient availability within this fragile high-altitude landscape. To achieve this, sediments from the sediment–water interface of Tsoltak glacial lake and its associated microhabitats was analyzed for biological proxies (diatoms, desmids, and pollen/spores), electrical conductivity (EC), and stable carbon (δ<sup>13</sup>C) and nitrogen (δ<sup>15</sup>N) isotopes. These aquatic systems are primarily fed by glacial meltwater and winter snow cover regulates ice-free duration, nutrient availability, and algal biomass, maintaining predominantly oligotrophic conditions. However, recent observations suggest a shift towards meso-oligotrophic conditions under prolonged summer seasons, reflected by moderate primary productivity dominated by diatom taxa such as <i>Didymosphenia</i>, <i>Cymbella</i>, <i>Diatoma</i>, and <i>Pinnularia</i>, and desmids including <i>Cosmarium</i>, <i>Staurastrum dilatatum</i>, and <i>S. punctulatum</i>. The pollen assemblage is dominated by <i>Artemisia</i>-<i>Tanecetum</i>-Apiaceae-<i>Ephedra</i> assemblage indicating desert steppe vegetation influenced by moist summers. The δ<sup>13</sup>C values of the sediment samples indicate a dominance of C<sub>3</sub> and CAM vegetation, along with lower δ<sup>15</sup>N, indicating atmospheric nitrogen fixation in sediments. Overall, the integration of biological assemblages with EC and stable isotope proxies provides insights into primary productivity patterns and nutrient cycling processes within this Trans-Himalayan glacial lake ecosystem.</p>

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Biotic indicators of climate change in high altitude Tsoltak glacial lake of Ladakh Range, NW Trans-Himalaya, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月22日

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  • Priyanka Joshi,
  • Anjum Farooqui,
  • Balasubramanian Karthick,
  • Binita Phartiyal

摘要

The aquatic ecosystems of Ladakh are characterized by cold-arid climatic conditions and persistent nutrient limitation, resulting in low primary productivity and constrained ecosystem functioning. This study aims to evaluate ecosystem productivity and nutrient availability within this fragile high-altitude landscape. To achieve this, sediments from the sediment–water interface of Tsoltak glacial lake and its associated microhabitats was analyzed for biological proxies (diatoms, desmids, and pollen/spores), electrical conductivity (EC), and stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes. These aquatic systems are primarily fed by glacial meltwater and winter snow cover regulates ice-free duration, nutrient availability, and algal biomass, maintaining predominantly oligotrophic conditions. However, recent observations suggest a shift towards meso-oligotrophic conditions under prolonged summer seasons, reflected by moderate primary productivity dominated by diatom taxa such as Didymosphenia, Cymbella, Diatoma, and Pinnularia, and desmids including Cosmarium, Staurastrum dilatatum, and S. punctulatum. The pollen assemblage is dominated by Artemisia-Tanecetum-Apiaceae-Ephedra assemblage indicating desert steppe vegetation influenced by moist summers. The δ13C values of the sediment samples indicate a dominance of C3 and CAM vegetation, along with lower δ15N, indicating atmospheric nitrogen fixation in sediments. Overall, the integration of biological assemblages with EC and stable isotope proxies provides insights into primary productivity patterns and nutrient cycling processes within this Trans-Himalayan glacial lake ecosystem.