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Krambeck C, Römerscheid M, Paschke A. Passive sampling of herbicides above sediments at sites with losses of submerged macrophytes in a mesotrophic lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169083. [PMID: 38056643 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169083] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Declines of submerged macrophytes (SUM) were monitored in littoral zones of the deep, mesotrophic lake Suhrer See (Northern Germany) since 2017. Drastic losses coincided with intense agriculture in sandy sub-catchments and precipitation. All lines of evidence pointed to a causal connection with subsurface discharge indicating that herbicide application might have caused the effects. Passive sampling was applied in 2022 to elucidate, whether herbicides were really present at sites of losses and if so, in ecotoxicological relevant concentrations. Samplers were exposed on top of lake sediments in 2 m depth and under worst case conditions, i.e., at sites, known for losses of the whole functional group of SUM and at the beginning of the vegetation period. At this time, SUM diaspores were most vulnerable to repression of development and the subsurface discharge was high in the same instance. The potential ecotoxicological relevance of detected herbicide concentrations was assessed with a toxic units (TU) approach, with reference to acute effect concentrations (EC50 of green algae, 72 h, growth). The TU ranged from 0.001 to 0.03. Most concentrations exceeded the threshold of relevance set by an assessment factor of 1000, i.e., TU > 0.001. Locally applied herbicides acted by suppressing developmental stages, and the sum of TU exceeded 0.02 at all sites, mainly due to diflufenican. Not applied locally, terbuthylazine and its relevant metabolites, including terbutryn, acted by inhibiting photosynthesis, and the sum of TU reached 0.005. On this base, diflufenican was assessed to be likely a main stressor, all other detected herbicides to be potentially relevant. Uncertainties and knowledge gaps were specified. The result of the chemical risk assessment was counterchecked for consistence with biological monitoring data within a whole lake perspective. Concepts of empirical and advanced causal attribution methodology were applied to get a grip to the ecological causal field and to protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Krambeck
- NABU Nature Protection Association, local branch, Lange Str.43, 24306 Plön, Germany.
| | - Mara Römerscheid
- UFZ Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoser Str. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albrecht Paschke
- UFZ Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoser Str. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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Üblacker MM, Infante DM, Cooper AR, Daniel WM, Schmutz S, Schinegger R. Cross-continental evaluation of landscape-scale drivers and their impacts to fluvial fishes: Understanding frequency and severity to improve fish conservation in Europe and the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165101. [PMID: 37400034 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165101] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluvial fishes are threatened globally from intensive human landscape stressors degrading aquatic ecosystems. However, impacts vary regionally, as stressors and natural environmental factors differ between ecoregions and continents. To date, a comparison of fish responses to landscape stressors over continents is lacking, limiting understanding of consistency of impacts and hampering efficiencies in conserving fishes over large regions. This study addresses these shortcomings through a novel, integrative assessment of fluvial fishes throughout Europe and the conterminous United States. Using large-scale datasets, including information on fish assemblages from more than 30,000 locations on both continents, we identified threshold responses of fishes summarized by functional traits to landscape stressors including agriculture, pasture, urban area, road crossings, and human population density. After summarizing stressors by catchment unit (local and network) and constraining analyses by stream size (creeks vs. rivers), we analyzed stressor frequency (number of significant thresholds) and stressor severity (value of identified thresholds) within ecoregions across Europe and the United States. We document hundreds of responses of fish metrics to multi-scale stressors in ecoregions across two continents, providing rich findings to aid in understanding and comparing threats to fishes across the study regions. Collectively, we found that lithophilic species and, as expected, intolerant species are most sensitive to stressors in both continents, while migratory and rheophilic species are similarly strongly affected in the United States. Also, urban land use and human population density were most frequently associated with declines in fish assemblages, underscoring the pervasiveness of these stressors in both continents. This study offers an unprecedented comparison of landscape stressor effects on fluvial fishes in a consistent and comparable manner, supporting conservation of freshwater habitats in both continents and worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Üblacker
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dana M Infante
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Arthur R Cooper
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Wesley M Daniel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Stefan Schmutz
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafaela Schinegger
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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Paiva FF, Melo DBD, Dolbeth M, Molozzi J. Functional threshold responses of benthic macroinvertebrates to environmental stressors in reservoirs. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 329:116970. [PMID: 36528939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Reservoirs are aquatic ecosystems created by humans to supply water needs. They can impair aquatic diversity due to the lack of connectivity, reduced water volume, and pressures exerted by surrounding human activities. These changes are expected to produce abrupt fluctuations in the reservoirs' environment, thus influencing the structure and functioning of aquatic communities. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the impact of a range of environmental stressors in reservoirs on benthic macroinvertebrates by analyzing their functional threshold response. Biological data were collected in six reservoirs from the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, as case study. A total of 37.874 benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 35 taxa were collected. Nevertheless, almost 90% of this abundance belonged to three species alone, considered generalists, with multivoltine reproduction and from the gatherer-collectors feeding group. Increases in environmental stressors such as salinity, nitrate, ammonia, and dissolved solids led to the selection of macroinvertebrates with specific traits (e.g., protected body, gill respiration, and large body size). These functional traits showed differences in their threshold response depending on the stressors and are indicators of the effects of these stressors on the reservoirs. Some of the potential sensitive traits (with a negative threshold response to the stressor) could also associate with other stressors, demonstrating that tolerance of benthic macroinvertebrates is defined by a set of functional characteristics. Overall, the increase in stressor' gradients selected functionally tolerant organisms with high resistance capacity, but these were represented by dominant species. This resulted in low diversity in the reservoirs, which may compromise ecosystem functioning, and raises concerns about adequate management of the systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franciely Ferreira Paiva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação - Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. Rua Baraúnas, N° 351, Bairro Universitário, Complexo Três Marias, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
| | - Dalescka Barbosa de Melo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação - Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. Rua Baraúnas, N° 351, Bairro Universitário, Complexo Três Marias, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Marina Dolbeth
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental - Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4050-123, Matosinhos, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joseline Molozzi
- Departamento de Biologia/Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia e Conservação- Universidade Estadual da Paraíba.Rua Baraúnas, N° 351, Bairro Universitário, Complexo Três Marias, CEP 58429-500, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil
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Schirpke U, Ebner M. Exposure to global change pressures and potential impacts on ecosystem services of mountain lakes in the European Alps. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 318:115606. [PMID: 35777157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mountain lakes are increasingly affected by global change pressures. While there is growing evidence of impacts on ecosystem functioning, few studies considered changes in ecosystem services (ES). This study aimed (1) to examine the exposure of small and natural mountain lakes in the European Alps to global change pressures and (2) to estimate potential impacts on six relevant ES considering future climate projections and potential changes in water use. For 2455 lakes, we mapped the level of exposure to global change pressures, including climate change, atmospheric nutrient deposition, and anthropogenic activities (e.g., water use). Our results indicate that more than half of the Alpine mountain lakes feature a considerable level of exposure to global change. Hotspot analysis revealed spatial clusters of lakes with above-average exposure (23.7% of all lakes), mostly located in the central part of the Alps, while lakes with below-average exposure level prevailed in the south-western (19.3%) and eastern parts (10.6%). For 15 case study lakes, we quantified potential impacts on six key ES. The results revealed, in particular, potential negative effects on maintaining habitat and populations as well as aesthetic value, but contrastingly, also some positive effects for outdoor recreation, research and education. Our findings suggest the need for a comprehensive integration of mountain lakes into current management and policy frameworks to ensure the ecological integrity and ES provision of mountain lakes. Interdisciplinary mountain lake research will be important to overcome uncertainties related to the coupling of limnological parameters and ES indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta Schirpke
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen, Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Manuel Ebner
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria; Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen, Bolzano, Italy
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Martínez-Megías C, Rico A. Biodiversity impacts by multiple anthropogenic stressors in Mediterranean coastal wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151712. [PMID: 34800444 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean coastal wetlands are considered biodiversity hot-spots and contain a high number of endemic species. The biodiversity of these ecosystems is endangered by several pressures resulting from agricultural and urban expansion, climate change, and the alteration of their hydrological cycle. In this study we assess the state-of-the-art regarding the impact of several stressor groups on the biodiversity of Mediterranean coastal wetlands (i.e., lagoons, marshes, estuaries). Particularly, we describe the impacts of eutrophication, chemical pollution, invasive species, salinization, and temperature rise, and analyze the existing literature regarding the impact of multiple stressors on these ecosystems. Our study denotes a clear asymmetry both in terms of study areas and stressors evaluated. The majority of studies focus on lagoons and estuaries of the north-west parts of the Mediterranean basin, while the African and the Asian coast have been less represented. Eutrophication and chemical pollution were the most studied stressors compared to others like temperature rise or species invasions. Most studies evaluating these stressors individually show direct or indirect effects on the biodiversity of primary producers and invertebrate communities, and changes in species dominance patterns that contribute to a decline of endemic populations. The few available studies addressing stressor interactions have shown non-additive responses, which are important to define appropriate ecosystem management and restoration measures. Finally, we propose research needs to advance our understanding on the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on Mediterranean coastal wetlands and to guide future interventions to protect biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Martínez-Megías
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University of Alcalá, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona KM 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andreu Rico
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/ Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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Gecheva G, Pall K, Todorov M, Traykov I, Gribacheva N, Stankova S, Birk S. Anthropogenic Stressors in Upland Rivers: Aquatic Macrophyte Responses. A Case Study from Bulgaria. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122708. [PMID: 34961179 PMCID: PMC8703415 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Upland rivers across Europe still exhibit undisturbed conditions and represent a treasure that we cannot afford to lose. We hypothesize that the combination of pristine and modified conditions could demonstrate biological responses along the stressor gradients. Thus, the response of aquatic macrophyte communities to anthropogenic stressors along upland rivers in Bulgaria was studied. Six stressors were selected out of 36 parameters grouped into hydromorphological, chemical variables and combined drivers (catchment land use). The stressors strongly affected species richness on the basis of biological type (bryophytes vs. vascular plants) and ecomorphological type (hydrophytes vs. helophytes). Hydrological alteration expressed by the change of the river's base flow and altered riparian habitats has led to a suppression of bryophytes and a dominance of riverbank plant communities. Seventy-five percent of mountain sites were lacking bryophytes, and the vegetation at semi-mountainous sites was dominated by vascular plants. It can be concluded that hydropeaking, organic and inorganic pollution, and discontinuous urban structures caused important modifications in the aquatic macrophyte assemblages. Macrophyte abundance and the biological and ecomorphological type of aquatic macrophytes reflect multi-stressor effects in upland rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gana Gecheva
- Faculty of Biology, Plovdiv University, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Karin Pall
- Systema GmbH, 8 Bensasteig, 1140 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Milcho Todorov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, BAS, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Ivan Traykov
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Nikolina Gribacheva
- Faculty of Biology, Plovdiv University, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Silviya Stankova
- Faculty of Biology, Plovdiv University, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.G.); (S.S.)
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany;
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany
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