Unravelling chironomid biodiversity response to climate change in subarctic lakes across temporal and spatial scales

Abstract We combined paleolimnological reconstructions and space-for-time substitutions to unravel chironomid biodiversity responses climate change in subarctic mountains across temporal spatial scales. Using sediment records, we found that long-term changes taxonomic diversity were mainly induced by the temperature tolerance/optimum of species, while little functional due replacement similar functional-type taxa within community. Overall, suggested selection larger species cooling trophic guilds. Space-for-time showed, however low-elevation lakes with forested have more sediment-feeding larvae than high-elevation lakes, thus, suggesting large morphotypes a mode under warmer climate. reconstructions, therefore, gave contrasting results for link between communities, likely because failed match extent both climatic gradients. suggest future studies must address issues scales as an improved understanding may help us understand how will be affected ongoing change.