Changes in the fish community in Lake Tåkern, Sweden - a comparison between 1978-1979 and 2019

Abstract: Climate changes alter species composition in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. For establishment of species in a fish community, dispersal barriers, habitat structure and interactions between species act as a filter. The aim of this study was to examine changes in the fish community in Lake Tåkern, Sweden, by repeating a test-fishing in a lake 40 years after a previous test-fishing. Special interest was directed towards the possible establishment of bream (Abramis brama) and (Cyprinus carpio) which recently had been found in the lake. In addition, a decline of the low oxygen tolerant species crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and tench (Tinca tinca) was expected. Test-fishing was performed in June and August 2019 and combined with analyses of Environmental-DNA from samples in September 2019. A comparison with the average catch of 1978-1979 together showed that all cyprinid species had decreased in 2019. The hypoxic tolerant crucian carp decreased 16-fold in numbers, which was expected due to fewer events of cold winters and hypoxia. One bream was caught from the test-fishing and was also detected through eDNA-analysis. The ecological status of the fish community was classified as moderate but showed a high proportion of piscivore percids contra cyprinids, compared to six other shallow lakes in Sweden with similar characteristics. The high proportion of piscivore percids is probably contributing to the stability of the present clear-water state of the lake.