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Zhao X, Wang J, Liu Q, Du W, Yang S, Cai P, Ni J. Multifunctionality promotes the prosperity of riverine planktonic diatoms in plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118148. [PMID: 38191040 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Interpreting the biogeographic distribution and underlying mechanisms of functional traits not only contributes to revealing the spatiotemporal dynamics of species biodiversity but also helps to maintain ecological stability during environmental variations. However, little is known about the functional profiles of diatom communities over large river systems. Herein, we provided the first blueprints about the spatiotemporal distributions and driving forces of functional traits for both planktonic and sedimentary diatoms over the 6030 km continuum of the Yangtze River, with the help of the high-throughput sequencing and functional identification. By investigating the 28 functional traits affiliated into five categories, we found that planktonic diatom functions showed clearer landform-heterogeneity patterns (ANOSIM R = 0.336) than sedimentary functions (ANOSIM R = 0.172) along the river, represented by life-forms and ecological-guilds prominent in water-plateau as well as cell-sizes and life-forms particularly in sediment-plateau. Planktonic diatom functions also displayed higher richness and network complexity in plateau (richness: 58.70 ± 9.30, network edges: 65) than in non-plateau regions (23.82 ± 13.16, 16), promoting the stability and robustness of diatom functions against the high-radiation and low-temperature plateau environment. Environmental selection (mainly exerted by PAR, UV, and Tw) played crucial roles in determining the functional variations of planktonic diatoms (explaining 80.5%) rather than sedimentary diatoms (14.5%) between plateau and non-plateau regions. Meanwhile, planktonic diatom traits within life-forms were identified to be well responsive to the ecological environment quality (r = 0.56-0.60, P < 0.001) in the Yangtze. This study provided comprehensive insights into the multifunctionality of diatoms and their responses to environmental disturbance and environment quality, which helps to develop effective strategies for maintaining ecological stability in changing river environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, PR China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China.
| | - Qingxiang Liu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Wenran Du
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Shanqing Yang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Pinggui Cai
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China
| | - Jinren Ni
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100871, PR China
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Mathers KL, Armitage PD, Hill M, McKenzie M, Pardo I, Wood PJ. Seasonal variability of lotic macroinvertebrate communities at the habitat scale demonstrates the value of discriminating fine sediment fractions in ecological assessments. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10564. [PMID: 37780081 PMCID: PMC10541294 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite lotic systems demonstrating high levels of seasonal and spatial variability, most research and biomonitoring practices do not consider seasonality when interpreting results and are typically focused at the meso-scale (combined pool/riffle samples) rather than considering habitat patch dynamics. We therefore sought to determine if the sampling season (spring, summer and autumn) influenced observed macroinvertebrate biodiversity, structure and function at the habitat unit scale (determined by substrate composition), and if this in turn influenced the assessment of fine sediment (sand and silt) pressures. We found that biodiversity supported at the habitat level was not seasonally consistent with the contribution of nestedness and turnover in structuring communities varying seasonally. Habitat differences in community composition were evident for taxonomic communities regardless of the season but were not seasonally consistent for functional communities, and, notably, season explained a greater amount of variance in functional community composition than the habitat unit. Macroinvertebrate biodiversity supported by silt habitats demonstrated strong seasonal differences and communities were functionally comparable to sand habitats in spring and to gravel habitats in autumn. Sand communities were impoverished compared to other habitats regardless of the season. Silt habitats demonstrated a strong increase in Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa and functional richness from spring into autumn, while vegetation habitats displayed a peak in EPT abundance in summer. Only silt and sand habitats demonstrated temporal variability in functional evenness suggesting that these habitats are different in terms of their resource partitioning and productivity over time compared to other habitats. Gravel and vegetation habitats appeared to be more stable over time with functional richness and evenness remaining consistent. To accurately evaluate the influence of fine sediment on lotic ecosystems, it is imperative that routine biomonitoring and scientific research discriminate between sand and silt fractions, given they support different biodiversity, particularly during summer and autumn months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Mathers
- Geography and EnvironmentLoughborough UniversityLoughboroughUK
| | | | - Matthew Hill
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and TechnologyBournemouth UniversityPooleUK
| | | | - Isabel Pardo
- Department of Ecology and Animal BiologyUniversity of VigoVigoSpain
| | - Paul J. Wood
- Geography and EnvironmentLoughborough UniversityLoughboroughUK
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Evidence of Taxonomic and Functional Recovery of Macroinvertebrate Communities Following River Restoration. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13162239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
River ecosystems have been heavily degraded globally due to channel hydromorphological modifications or alterations to catchment-wide processes. Restoration actions aimed at addressing these changes and restoring ecological integrity are increasing, but evidence of the effectiveness of these actions is variable. Using a rare 7-year before-after-control-impact (BACI) study of restoration of a lowland groundwater-fed river in England, UK, we explore changes in the macroinvertebrate community following the removal of impoundments and channel narrowing to aid restoration of physical processes. Restoration activity prompted significant taxonomic and functional responses of benthic invertebrate communities in the 4 years post-restoration. Specifically, significant gains in taxonomic and functional richness were evident following restoration, although corresponding evenness and diversity measures did not mirror these trends. Restoration activities prompted a shift to more rheophilic taxa and associated traits matching the physical changes to the channel and habitat composition. Temporal changes were clearer for taxonomic compositions compared to the functional properties of macroinvertebrate communities, indicating a functional redundancy effect of new colonists inhabiting restored reaches following restoration. The results highlight the value of long-term BACI studies in river restoration assessments, as well as project appraisals incorporating both taxonomic and functional observations. We highlight the urgent need of such studies to provide evidence to inform effective river restoration strategies to address future changes such as adaption to climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
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Mathers KL, White JC, Guareschi S, Hill MJ, Heino J, Chadd R. Invasive crayfish alter the long‐term functional biodiversity of lotic macroinvertebrate communities. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Mathers
- Geography and Environment Loughborough University Loughborough UK
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and TechnologyDepartment of Surface Waters Research and Management Kastanienbaum Switzerland
| | - James C. White
- River Restoration Centre Cranfield University Cranfield UK
| | - Simone Guareschi
- Geography and Environment Loughborough University Loughborough UK
| | - Matthew J. Hill
- School of Applied Sciences University of Huddersfield Huddersfield UK
| | - Jani Heino
- Finnish Environment InstituteFreshwater Centre Oulu Finland
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Mathers KL, White JC, Fornaroli R, Chadd R. Flow regimes control the establishment of invasive crayfish and alter their effects on lotic macroinvertebrate communities. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Mathers
- Department of Surface Waters Research and Management Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Kastanienbaum Switzerland
| | - James C. White
- Department of Biosciences College of Science Swansea University Swansea UK
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Krajenbrink HJ, Acreman M, Dunbar MJ, Hannah DM, Laizé CLR, Wood PJ. Macroinvertebrate community responses to river impoundment at multiple spatial scales. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:2648-2656. [PMID: 30296772 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
River impoundment by the construction of dams potentially modifies a wide range of abiotic and biotic factors in lotic ecosystems and is considered one of the most significant anthropogenic impacts on rivers globally. The past two decades have witnessed a growing body of research centred on quantifying the effects of river impoundment, with a focus on mitigating and managing the effects of individual large dams. This study presents a novel multi-scale comparison of paired downstream and control sites associated with multiple water supply reservoirs (n = 80) using a spatially extensive multi-year dataset. Macroinvertebrate community structure and indices were analysed in direct association with spatial (e.g. region) and temporal variables (e.g. season) to identify consistent patterns in ecological responses to impoundment. Macroinvertebrate communities at monitoring sites downstream of water supply reservoirs differed significantly from those at control sites at larger spatial scales, both in terms of community structure and taxa richness. The effect was most significant at the regional scale, while biogeographical factors appeared to be important drivers of community differences at the national scale. Water supply reservoirs dampened natural seasonal patterns in community structure at sites downstream of impoundments. Generally, taxonomic richness was higher and %EPT richness lower at downstream sites. Biomonitoring indices used for river management purposes were able to detect community differences, demonstrating their sensitivity to river regulation activities. The results presented improve our understanding of the spatially extensive and long-term effects of water supply reservoirs on instream communities and provide a basis for the future implementation of mitigation measures on impounded rivers and heavily modified waterbodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik J Krajenbrink
- Centre for Hydrological and Ecosystem Science, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.
| | - Mike Acreman
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Dunbar
- Environment Agency of England, Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX2 7LQ, United Kingdom
| | - David M Hannah
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Cédric L R Laizé
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J Wood
- Centre for Hydrological and Ecosystem Science, Department of Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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Ecological influence of sediment bypass tunnels on macroinvertebrates in dam-fragmented rivers by DNA metabarcoding. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10185. [PMID: 29977048 PMCID: PMC6033945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sediment bypass tunnels (SBTs) are guiding structures used to reduce sediment accumulation in reservoirs during high flows by transporting sediments to downstream reaches during operation. Previous studies monitoring the ecological effects of SBT operations on downstream reaches suggest a positive influence of SBTs on riverbed sediment conditions and macroinvertebrate communities based on traditional morphology-based surveys. Morphology-based macroinvertebrate assessments are costly and time-consuming, and the large number of morphologically cryptic, small-sized and undescribed species usually results in coarse taxonomic identification. Here, we used DNA metabarcoding analysis to assess the influence of SBT operations on macroinvertebrates downstream of SBT outlets by estimating species diversity and pairwise community dissimilarity between upstream and downstream locations in dam-fragmented rivers with operational SBTs in comparison to dam-fragmented (i.e., no SBTs) and free-flowing rivers (i.e., no dam). We found that macroinvertebrate community dissimilarity decreases with increasing operation time and frequency of SBTs. These factors of SBT operation influence changes in riverbed features, e.g. sediment relations, that subsequently effect the recovery of downstream macroinvertebrate communities to their respective upstream communities. Macroinvertebrate abundance using morphologically-identified specimens was positively correlated to read abundance using metabarcoding. This supports and reinforces the use of quantitative estimates for diversity analysis with metabarcoding data.
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