Many of the species are likely to become restricted to cold habitats that will only persist higher in the mountains, and these areas are also likely to see pressures from the skiing and tourism industries or from the development of hydroelectric plants.

The research study—led jointly by the University of Leeds and University of Essex—calls on conservationists to consider new measures to protect aquatic biodiversity. The paper—"Glacier retreat reorganizes river habitats leaving refugia for Alpine invertebrate biodiversity poorly protected"—is published today (May 4) in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

Invertebrates: Key role in ecosystems

The invertebrates, which include stoneflies, midges and flatworms, play a key role in nutrient cycling and organic matter transfer to fish, amphibians, birds and mammals in the wider Alpine ecosystem.

Using glacier, landscape and biodiversity mapping data collected across the Alps, scientists from across Europe simulated how key invertebrate populations across the mountain range are likely to change between now and 2100 because of climate change.