Cauvy-Fraunie S. auteur aut IRD Andino P. auteur aut IRD Espinosa R. auteur aut IRD Calvez Roger auteur aut IRD Jacobsen D. auteur aut IRD Dangles Olivier auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Glacier retreat is a worldwide phenomenon with important consequences for the hydrological cycle and downstream ecosystem structure and functioning. To determine the effects of glacier retreat on aquatic communities, we conducted a 4-year flow manipulation in a tropical glacier-fed stream. Compared with an adjacent reference stream, meltwater flow reduction induces significant changes in benthic fauna community composition in less than 2 weeks. Also, both algal and herbivore biomass significantly increase in the manipulated stream as a response to flow reduction. After the flow reduction ceased, the system requires 14-16 months to return to its pre-perturbation state. These results are supported by a multi-stream survey of sites varying in glacial influence, showing an abrupt increase in algal and herbivore biomass below 11% glacier cover in the catchment. This study shows that flow reduction strongly affects glacier-fed stream biota, prefiguring profound ecological effects of ongoing glacier retreat on aquatic systems. specialized EQUATEUR ANDES ANTISANA GLACIER ZONE TROPICALE 036 062 7 art. 12025 [7 p.] 2016 2041-1723 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010067655 10.1038/ncomms12025 2041-1723 [F B010067655] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010067655 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers16-08/010067655.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2016-09-05 2017-08-23 fdi:010067655 fre