Solar irradiance and ENSO affect food security in Lake Tanganyika, a major African inland fishery

Food security in a warming world is a grave concern for rapidly growing impoverished populations. Low-latitude inland fisheries provide protein for millions of rural poor, yet the impacts of high-frequency climate oscillations on these aquatic ecosystems are unknown. Here, we present a sub-annual-to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science advances 2020-10, Vol.6 (41)
Main Authors: McGlue, M M, Ivory, S J, Stone, J R, Cohen, A S, Kamulali, T M, Latimer, J C, Brannon, M A, Kimirei, I A, Soreghan, M J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental Studies
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Summary:Food security in a warming world is a grave concern for rapidly growing impoverished populations. Low-latitude inland fisheries provide protein for millions of rural poor, yet the impacts of high-frequency climate oscillations on these aquatic ecosystems are unknown. Here, we present a sub-annual-to-annual resolution paleolimnological reconstruction of upwelling, productivity, and algal composition at Lake Tanganyika, one of Africa's largest landlocked fisheries. The data reveal increases in diatom production at centennial-scale solar irradiance maxima, and interannual variability in upwelling linked to La Niña. Our study shows that interactions between global climatic controls and El Niño-Southern Oscillation teleconnections exert profound influences on the foundation of Lake Tanganyika's food web. Adapting long-term management practices to account for high-frequency changes in algal production will help safeguard inland fish resources.
ISSN:2375-2548
2375-2548
DOI:10.1126/sciadv.abb2191