LIFE FOR BIODIVERSITY
LIFE FOR BIODIVERSITY
Impacts of changes in temperature and precipitation
Current climate models indicate that rising temperatures will intensify the Earth’s water cycle, increasing evaporation. Increased evaporation will result in more frequent and intense storms, but will also contribute to drying over some land areas. As a result, storm-affected areas are likely to experience increases in precipitation and increased risk of flooding, while areas located far away from storm tracks are likely to experience less precipitation and increased risk of drought.
The European Otter is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia and Maghreb. The European otter spends much of its life in the water. They are excellent swimmers and divers, and they spend most of their time in rivers, lakes, streams, canals, marshes, small reservoirs, estuaries, or even in saltwater environments. It spends so much time in water that it only goes to land when it needs to rest or reproduce.
Therefore, water is a crucial feature in these mammals' habitats, but other common denominators in the environments that are most favourable to them are abundant vegetation cover, great availability of food, and a diverse variety of shelters. The European Otter is a carnivorous species that bases its diet on fish and crustaceans, as well as small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
The European Otter is a semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia and Maghreb. The European otter spends much of its life in the water. They are excellent swimmers and divers, and they spend most of their time in rivers, lakes, streams, canals, marshes, small reservoirs, estuaries, or even in saltwater environments. It spends so much time in water that it only goes to land when it needs to rest or reproduce.
Therefore, water is a crucial feature in these mammals' habitats, but other common denominators in the environments that are most favourable to them are abundant vegetation cover, great availability of food, and a diverse variety of shelters. The European Otter is a carnivorous species that bases its diet on fish and crustaceans, as well as small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
European Otter (Lutra Lutra)
European Otter (Lutra Lutra) completely rely on freshwater for their food and shelter; they need clean, well-preserved freshwater habitats for survival. Riparian vegetation is necessary for cover and prey diversity. Healthy otter populations can be seen with clean water, rich fish resources, and dense vegetation. This is despite habitat degradation being one of the most severe threats to them today, with pollution, fragmentation, etc.
The European Otter is a key predator in aquatic ecosystems, feeding on fish, crustaceans, amphibians, birds, and small mammals. Otters influence fish populations by targeting abundant or slow-moving species. They compete with other carnivores, such as mink, herons, and fish-eating birds, for food. In limited habitats, intraspecific competition for territory and resources can occur. Scavengers like gulls and crows may benefit from otters’ leftover prey.
Otters also maintain balanced fish populations and indicate healthy aquatic environments, underscoring their role in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health. Their foraging behavior helps regulate populations of fish species such as European perch and common carp, and the signal crayfish, which displaces native crayfish and contributes to habitat degradation.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Otters are stable in Portugal’s Minho and Douro rivers due to restoration and EU protection.
In the Czech Republic, numbers grow in Šumava and Krkonoše with strong legal safeguards.
In Armenia, they remain vulnerable in rivers like the Araks and Hrazdan due to pollution and habitat loss.
Austria reports recovery in the Danube and Inn through restoration and monitoring.
The species' recovery remains uneven across its range, and continued conservation actions, including habitat connectivity, water quality management, and long-term monitoring, are critical to securing the future of the European Otter.
In the Czech Republic, numbers grow in Šumava and Krkonoše with strong legal safeguards.
In Armenia, they remain vulnerable in rivers like the Araks and Hrazdan due to pollution and habitat loss.
Austria reports recovery in the Danube and Inn through restoration and monitoring.
The species' recovery remains uneven across its range, and continued conservation actions, including habitat connectivity, water quality management, and long-term monitoring, are critical to securing the future of the European Otter.
water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial waste, degrading the quality of riverine and wetland habitats essential for otter survival
habitat loss and fragmentation caused by river regulation, dam construction, and urban development, disrupting movement corridors and breeding grounds
through hunting and trapping, although now largely mitigated by legal protection
The case study analyses the Impacts of Changes in Temperatures and Precipitation on Water Resources Management and Drought Risks in Armenia. Increased atmospheric temperatures have led to more evaporation, which has reduced the amount of water in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. At the same time, there have been extreme changes in precipitation, including long dry periods interspersed with highly wet periods, challenging water management systems, agriculture, biodiversity and human water security. This research shows the importance of developing adaptive measures to make sure the ecosystems and communities of Armenia can respond to these changes.
Armenia is a landlocked country with a predominantly mountainous landscape that experiences a continental climate characterised by hot, dry summers and cold winters. The country's hydrology is primarily influenced by snowmelt, making it particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. Seasonal snowpack variations are critical for maintaining river flows and providing water for agricultural activities, hydropower generation, and sustaining natural ecosystems across the region.
Armenia is a landlocked country with a predominantly mountainous landscape that experiences a continental climate characterised by hot, dry summers and cold winters. The country's hydrology is primarily influenced by snowmelt, making it particularly vulnerable to temperature changes. Seasonal snowpack variations are critical for maintaining river flows and providing water for agricultural activities, hydropower generation, and sustaining natural ecosystems across the region.
Armenia’s water systems
Armenia’s water systems depend highly on consistent seasonal patterns, primarily the snowmelt that feeds rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. These water sources are crucial for agriculture, energy, and biodiversity. However, climate-induced changes such as increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns disrupt these systems, leading to reduced water availability, habitat degradation, and increased vulnerability of both human and natural ecosystems.
The changing water availability in Armenia affects numerous species interactions within aquatic ecosystems. For instance, the reduced water levels in Lake Sevan, the biggest freshwater body in Armenia, have directly impacted the Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan), an endemic species facing habitat shrinkage.
Lower water levels also lead to increased temperatures, which favour invasive species such as the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), further altering ecosystem balance.
The effects cascade through the food web, impacting amphibians like endangered Armenian newt (Neurergus derjugini), which relies on stable water sources for breeding. Birds such as the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), which depend on fish populations in lakes and wetlands, also face challenges as prey availability declines.
The effects cascade through the food web, impacting amphibians like endangered Armenian newt (Neurergus derjugini), which relies on stable water sources for breeding. Birds such as the Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), which depend on fish populations in lakes and wetlands, also face challenges as prey availability declines.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Armenia's water resources need efforts to manage and conserve these critical resources amid the challenges posed by climate change. The country faces significant threats, including increased evaporation rates, erratic precipitation patterns, and greater water demand for agriculture, all heightening water scarcity. In response, Armenia has collaborated with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank to implement water management strategies that focus on enhancing water-use efficiency, restoring key aquatic habitats, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Projects include improving irrigation systems, restoring riverbanks, and constructing new water storage infrastructure to mitigate water shortages during droughts. Although there is no specific IUCN listing for water systems, conservation efforts in Armenia are increasingly directed toward preserving and sustainably managing freshwater ecosystems to ensure their long-term viability and resilience against climate impacts.
Armenia's water resources need efforts to manage and conserve these critical resources amid the challenges posed by climate change. The country faces significant threats, including increased evaporation rates, erratic precipitation patterns, and greater water demand for agriculture, all heightening water scarcity. In response, Armenia has collaborated with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank to implement water management strategies that focus on enhancing water-use efficiency, restoring key aquatic habitats, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Projects include improving irrigation systems, restoring riverbanks, and constructing new water storage infrastructure to mitigate water shortages during droughts. Although there is no specific IUCN listing for water systems, conservation efforts in Armenia are increasingly directed toward preserving and sustainably managing freshwater ecosystems to ensure their long-term viability and resilience against climate impacts.