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Horsák M, Janáč M, Zhai M, Bojková J. Temporal niche dynamics of spreading native invertebrates underlie doubling of richness in pristine temperate streams. J Anim Ecol 2025; 94:693-705. [PMID: 39957326 PMCID: PMC11962250 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.70005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 12/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
While biodiversity loss is undeniably a global phenomenon, an increase in taxonomic richness has recently been reported from some ecosystems and spatial scales. A striking increase in abundance and/or species richness has been documented from temperate rivers over the last 25 years, with many of the expanding species (i.e. winners) being native species. However, the lack of repeatedly collected local environmental data prevents the exploration of their niche dynamics and also makes it difficult to distinguish between possible causes. We fill this gap by using species occurrence data from 65 pristine Czech rivers sampled in 1997-2000 and 2015. The same methods were used for sampling macroinvertebrates and measuring environmental parameters in both periods. We selected 43 winners, defined as taxonomically validated and originally non-rare native macroinvertebrate species whose occupancy increased by at least six sites between the time periods. We searched for consistent patterns of niche dynamics (i.e. stability, expansion and restriction) among species that might contribute most to the overall increase in species richness. Using several biological traits, we also compared the winners with the other 253 taxa collected to look for differences. Analysis of the occurrence data showed that niche stability was by far the predominant pattern of the niche dynamics. This clearly indicates that the winners fill their original niches, with a limited contribution of niche shift or expansion, depending on the species. As no significant differences in either temperature preferences or the other biological traits were found between the winners and the other taxa, there is no unique set of functional traits that explain the success of the winners. The observed mechanism of filling the original niche space by the spreading native species not only explains the increase in local species richness, but also contributes to support the hypothesis of a climate-driven increase in ecosystem energy flow from a new perspective. The increased metabolism of the system may relax interspecific competition allowing it to carry more individuals and species, even without the need for an increase in nutrients and ecosystem recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Horsák
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Michal Janáč
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate BiologyCzech Academy of SciencesBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Marie Zhai
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Jindřiška Bojková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
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2
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Dunkle MR, Bellmore JR, Fellman JB, Hood EW, Caudill CC. Loss of meltwater from glaciers and snowpack may increase synchrony of river habitats and resources in mountain watersheds. Ecology 2025; 106:e70023. [PMID: 40265335 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.70023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2025]
Abstract
Stream biogeochemical regimes can vary over short distances in heterogenous landscapes. In many mountainous and high-latitude watersheds, streams fed by rain and groundwater sources coexist with streams dominated by meltwater from melting glaciers, permafrost, and seasonal snowpack. The distinct physicochemical regimes of meltwater and non-meltwater fed streams can promote spatial and temporal asynchronies in biotic and abiotic environmental conditions within watersheds that promote ecological heterogeneity and stability. However, fading cryospheric inputs to watersheds threaten to homogenize and synchronize stream habitats and resources. Here, we compared the physicochemical conditions and biomass dynamics of stream food webs (course particulate detritus, periphyton, aquatic invertebrates, and fish) over a meltwater season from April to November in four streams with different predominant sources of runoff, one glacier-fed, one snow-fed, one rain-fed, and one stream transitioning from glacier- and snow-fed to a rain-fed. We then analyzed the temporal correlation ("synchrony") of the abiotic and biotic conditions in these streams and evaluated how synchrony might change if certain stream types were lost. We found that glacier-, snow-, and rain-fed streams had distinct temperature, flow, and water chemistry regimes and asynchronous seasonal patterns of detritus, biofilm, aquatic invertebrate, and fish biomass. The strongest differences were associated with the divergence of abiotic and biotic conditions in the glacier-fed stream relative to the other stream types. Synchrony analysis suggests that the climate-driven loss of meltwater contributions from the cryosphere may synchronize the seasonal resource dynamics of meltwater and non-meltwater streams during the primary growing season within and across watersheds. Increasing synchrony of abiotic processes that drive instream production could reduce ecological stability within watersheds as seasonal conditions converge, especially for mobile consumers that will lose the opportunity to integrate resource waves across complex landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Dunkle
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - J Ryan Bellmore
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Jason B Fellman
- Environmental Science Program and Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, Alaska, USA
| | - Eran W Hood
- Environmental Science Program and Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, Alaska, USA
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3
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Dudgeon D, Strayer DL. Bending the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss: what are the prospects? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2025; 100:205-226. [PMID: 39221642 PMCID: PMC11718631 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Freshwater biodiversity conservation has received substantial attention in the scientific literature and is finally being recognized in policy frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and its associated targets for 2030. This is important progress. Nonetheless, freshwater species continue to be confronted with high levels of imperilment and widespread ecosystem degradation. An Emergency Recovery Plan (ERP) proposed in 2020 comprises six measures intended to "bend the curve" of freshwater biodiversity loss, if they are widely adopted and adequately supported. We review evidence suggesting that the combined intensity of persistent and emerging threats to freshwater biodiversity has become so serious that current and projected efforts to preserve, protect and restore inland-water ecosystems may be insufficient to avert substantial biodiversity losses in the coming decades. In particular, climate change, with its complex and harmful impacts, will frustrate attempts to prevent biodiversity losses from freshwater ecosystems already affected by multiple threats. Interactions among these threats will limit recovery of populations and exacerbate declines resulting in local or even global extinctions, especially among low-viability populations in degraded or fragmented ecosystems. In addition to impediments represented by climate change, we identify several other areas where the absolute scarcity of fresh water, inadequate scientific information or predictive capacity, and a widespread failure to mitigate anthropogenic stressors, are liable to set limits on the recovery of freshwater biodiversity. Implementation of the ERP rapidly and at scale through many widely dispersed local actions focused on regions of high freshwater biodiversity and intense threat, together with an intensification of ex-situ conservation efforts, will be necessary to preserve native freshwater biodiversity during an increasingly uncertain climatic future in which poorly understood, emergent and interacting threats have become more influential. But implementation of the ERP must be accompanied by measures that will improve water, energy and food security for humans - without further compromising the condition of freshwater ecosystems. Unfortunately, the inadequate political implementation of policies to arrest widely recognized environmental challenges such as climate change do not inspire confidence about the possible success of the ERP. In many parts of the world, the Anthropocene future seems certain to include extended periods with an absolute scarcity of uncontaminated surface runoff that will inevitably be appropriated by humans. Unless there is a step-change in societal awareness of - and commitment to - the conservation of freshwater biodiversity, together with necessary actions to arrest climate change, implementation of established methods for protecting freshwater biodiversity may not bend the curve enough to prevent continued ecosystem degradation and species loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Dudgeon
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological SciencesThe University of Hong KongPokfulamHong Kong SARChina
| | - David L. Strayer
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem StudiesP.O. Box ABMillbrookNY 12545USA
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4
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Souza NF, Leal JS, Tourinho L, Farjalla VF, Rocha DSB, Vale MM. Bioindicator aquatic insects at risk from climate change in a biodiversity hotspot. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174824. [PMID: 39034001 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Climate change can affect biological assemblages by shifting their species' geographic range and changing species richness. Aquatic insects represent more than half of the freshwater animal species but have been neglected mainly in climate change assessments, particularly in tropical ecosystems. Among the aquatic insect taxa, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) are well-known bioindicators of environmental changes and encompass an essential metric for rivers and streams' biomonitoring. Here, we use ecological niche models to project the impact of climate change on the distribution range and richness of EPT in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We found EPT to be at high risk from future climate change, with Plecoptera as the order of greatest concern. We projected range contraction of ca. 90 % of the analyzed EPT genera, resulting in a reduction in the richness of EPT genera under future climatic conditions. We projected >50 % contraction in the distribution of 50 % of Plecoptera, ≈14 % of Trichoptera, and ≈7 % of Ephemeroptera genera. The remaining climatically suitable regions in the Atlantic Forest are concentrated in the high-altitude areas, which may act as climate refuges for EPT biodiversity in the future. The projected changes in EPT's distribution range and richness may impact biomonitoring programs conducted in tropical ecosystems. Restricting EPT's geographic distribution may undermine its potential as a bioindicator and influence the composition of EPT assemblages at reference sites, which may lead to shifting baseline conditions. We reinforce the importance of considering future climatic conditions when planning long-term biomonitoring and priority areas for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália F Souza
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Juliana S Leal
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution, The State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luara Tourinho
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vinicius F Farjalla
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; International Institute for Sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diogo S B Rocha
- International Institute for Sustainability, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana M Vale
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Ecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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5
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Redana M, Gibbins C, Lancaster LT. Determining critical periods for thermal acclimatisation using a distributed lag non-linear modelling approach. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11451. [PMID: 38826161 PMCID: PMC11140238 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11451] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid changes in thermal environments are threatening many species worldwide. Thermal acclimatisation may partially buffer species from the impacts of these changes, but currently, the knowledge about the temporal dynamics of acclimatisation remains limited. Moreover, acclimatisation phenotypes are typically determined in laboratory conditions that lack the variability and stochasticity that characterise the natural environment. Through a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM), we use field data to assess how the timing and magnitude of past thermal exposures influence thermal tolerance. We apply the model to two Scottish freshwater Ephemeroptera species living in natural thermal conditions. Model results provide evidence that rapid heat hardening effects are dramatic and reflect high rates of change in temperatures experienced over recent hours to days. In contrast, temperature change magnitude impacted acclimatisation over the course of weeks but had no impact on short-term responses. Our results also indicate that individuals may de-acclimatise their heat tolerance in response to cooler environments. Based on the novel insights provided by this powerful modelling approach, we recommend its wider uptake among thermal physiologists to facilitate more nuanced insights in natural contexts, with the additional benefit of providing evidence needed to improve the design of laboratory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Redana
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Chris Gibbins
- School of Environmental and Geographical SciencesUniversity of Nottingham MalaysiaSemenyihMalaysia
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6
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Tasker SJL, Foggo A, Scheers K, van der Loop J, Giordano S, Bilton DT. Nuanced impacts of the invasive aquatic plant Crassula helmsii on Northwest European freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169667. [PMID: 38163603 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169667] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Invasive alien species are considered one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity, and are particularly problematic in aquatic systems. Given the foundational role of macrophytes in most freshwaters, alien aquatic plant invasions may drive strong bottom-up impacts on recipient biota. Crassula helmsii (New Zealand pygmyweed) is an Australasian macrophyte, now widespread in northwest Europe. Crassula helmsii rapidly invades small lentic waterbodies, where it is generally considered a serious threat to native biodiversity. The precise ecological impacts of this invasion remain poorly understood, however, particularly with respect to macroinvertebrates, which comprise the bulk of freshwater faunal biodiversity. We conducted a field study of ponds, ditches and small lakes across the core of C. helmsii's invasive range (United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands), finding that invaded sites had higher macroinvertebrate taxon richness than uninvaded sites, and that many infrequent and rare macroinvertebrates co-occurred with C. helmsii. Alien macroinvertebrates were more abundant in C. helmsii sites, however, particularly the North American amphipod Crangonyx pseudogracilis. At the order level, water beetle (Coleoptera) richness and abundance were higher in C. helmsii sites, whereas true fly (Diptera) abundance was higher in uninvaded sites. Taxonomic and functional assemblage composition were both impacted by invasion, largely in relation to taxa and traits associated with detritivory, suggesting that the impacts of C. helmsii on macroinvertebrates are partly mediated by the availability and palatability of its detritus. The nuanced effects of C. helmsii on macroinvertebrates found here should encourage further quantitative research on the impacts of this invasive plant, and perhaps prompt a more balanced re-evaluation of its effects on native aquatic macrofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J L Tasker
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL3 4LL, Devon, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew Foggo
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL3 4LL, Devon, United Kingdom.
| | - Kevin Scheers
- Freshwater Habitats Team, Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO), Havenlaan 88, Box 73, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Janneke van der Loop
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Stichting Bargerveen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Netherlands Centre of Expertise on Exotic Species (NEC-E), Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Salvatore Giordano
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL3 4LL, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - David T Bilton
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL3 4LL, Devon, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa.
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7
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Lamouille‐Hébert M, Arthaud F, Datry T. Climate change and the biodiversity of alpine ponds: Challenges and perspectives. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10883. [PMID: 38327685 PMCID: PMC10847888 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Inland waters are among the most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Ponds located in alpine areas are experiencing more rapid and dramatic water temperature increases than any other biome. Despite their prevalence, alpine ponds and their biodiversity responses to climate change have been poorly explored, reflecting their small size and difficult access. To understand the effects of climate change on alpine pond biodiversity, we performed a comprehensive literature review for papers published since 1955. Through analysis of their geographic distribution, environmental features, and biodiversity values, we identified which environmental factors related to climate change would have direct or indirect effects on alpine pond biodiversity. We then synthesized this information to produce a conceptual model of the effects of climate change on alpine pond biodiversity. Increased water temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and loss of connectivity between alpine ponds were the main drivers of biodiversity geographic distribution, leading to predictable changes in spatial patterns of biodiversity. We identified three major research gaps that, if addressed, can guide conservation and restoration strategies for alpine ponds biodiversity in an uncertain future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lamouille‐Hébert
- INRAE, UR RiverLy, Centre Lyon‐Grenoble Auvergne‐Rhône‐AlpesVilleurbanne CedexFrance
- FNE Haute‐SavoiePringyFrance
- Pole R&D ECLA, OFB, Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui ScientifiqueBirieuxFrance
| | - Florent Arthaud
- Pole R&D ECLA, OFB, Direction de la Recherche et de l'Appui ScientifiqueBirieuxFrance
- Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTELThonon‐les‐BainsFrance
| | - Thibault Datry
- INRAE, UR RiverLy, Centre Lyon‐Grenoble Auvergne‐Rhône‐AlpesVilleurbanne CedexFrance
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8
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Rolls RJ, Deane DC, Johnson SE, Heino J, Anderson MJ, Ellingsen KE. Biotic homogenisation and differentiation as directional change in beta diversity: synthesising driver-response relationships to develop conceptual models across ecosystems. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1388-1423. [PMID: 37072381 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Biotic homogenisation is defined as decreasing dissimilarity among ecological assemblages sampled within a given spatial area over time. Biotic differentiation, in turn, is defined as increasing dissimilarity over time. Overall, changes in the spatial dissimilarities among assemblages (termed 'beta diversity') is an increasingly recognised feature of broader biodiversity change in the Anthropocene. Empirical evidence of biotic homogenisation and biotic differentiation remains scattered across different ecosystems. Most meta-analyses quantify the prevalence and direction of change in beta diversity, rather than attempting to identify underlying ecological drivers of such changes. By conceptualising the mechanisms that contribute to decreasing or increasing dissimilarity in the composition of ecological assemblages across space, environmental managers and conservation practitioners can make informed decisions about what interventions may be required to sustain biodiversity and can predict potential biodiversity outcomes of future disturbances. We systematically reviewed and synthesised published empirical evidence for ecological drivers of biotic homogenisation and differentiation across terrestrial, marine, and freshwater realms to derive conceptual models that explain changes in spatial beta diversity. We pursued five key themes in our review: (i) temporal environmental change; (ii) disturbance regime; (iii) connectivity alteration and species redistribution; (iv) habitat change; and (v) biotic and trophic interactions. Our first conceptual model highlights how biotic homogenisation and differentiation can occur as a function of changes in local (alpha) diversity or regional (gamma) diversity, independently of species invasions and losses due to changes in species occurrence among assemblages. Second, the direction and magnitude of change in beta diversity depends on the interaction between spatial variation (patchiness) and temporal variation (synchronicity) of disturbance events. Third, in the context of connectivity and species redistribution, divergent beta diversity outcomes occur as different species have different dispersal characteristics, and the magnitude of beta diversity change associated with species invasions also depends strongly on alpha and gamma diversity prior to species invasion. Fourth, beta diversity is positively linked with spatial environmental variability, such that biotic homogenisation and differentiation occur when environmental heterogeneity decreases or increases, respectively. Fifth, species interactions can influence beta diversity via habitat modification, disease, consumption (trophic dynamics), competition, and by altering ecosystem productivity. Our synthesis highlights the multitude of mechanisms that cause assemblages to be more or less spatially similar in composition (taxonomically, functionally, phylogenetically) through time. We consider that future studies should aim to enhance our collective understanding of ecological systems by clarifying the underlying mechanisms driving homogenisation or differentiation, rather than focusing only on reporting the prevalence and direction of change in beta diversity, per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Rolls
- School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, 2351, Australia
| | - David C Deane
- School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | - Sarah E Johnson
- Natural Resources Department, Northland College, Ashland, WI, 54891, USA
| | - Jani Heino
- Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Marti J Anderson
- New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (NZIAS), Massey University, Albany Campus, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kari E Ellingsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Fram Centre, P.O. Box 6606 Langnes, Tromsø, 9296, Norway
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9
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Haase P, Bowler DE, Baker NJ, Bonada N, Domisch S, Garcia Marquez JR, Heino J, Hering D, Jähnig SC, Schmidt-Kloiber A, Stubbington R, Altermatt F, Álvarez-Cabria M, Amatulli G, Angeler DG, Archambaud-Suard G, Jorrín IA, Aspin T, Azpiroz I, Bañares I, Ortiz JB, Bodin CL, Bonacina L, Bottarin R, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Csabai Z, Datry T, de Eyto E, Dohet A, Dörflinger G, Drohan E, Eikland KA, England J, Eriksen TE, Evtimova V, Feio MJ, Ferréol M, Floury M, Forcellini M, Forio MAE, Fornaroli R, Friberg N, Fruget JF, Georgieva G, Goethals P, Graça MAS, Graf W, House A, Huttunen KL, Jensen TC, Johnson RK, Jones JI, Kiesel J, Kuglerová L, Larrañaga A, Leitner P, L'Hoste L, Lizée MH, Lorenz AW, Maire A, Arnaiz JAM, McKie BG, Millán A, Monteith D, Muotka T, Murphy JF, Ozolins D, Paavola R, Paril P, Peñas FJ, Pilotto F, Polášek M, Rasmussen JJ, Rubio M, Sánchez-Fernández D, Sandin L, Schäfer RB, Scotti A, Shen LQ, Skuja A, Stoll S, Straka M, Timm H, Tyufekchieva VG, Tziortzis I, Uzunov Y, van der Lee GH, Vannevel R, Varadinova E, Várbíró G, Velle G, Verdonschot PFM, Verdonschot RCM, Vidinova Y, Wiberg-Larsen P, Welti EAR. The recovery of European freshwater biodiversity has come to a halt. Nature 2023; 620:582-588. [PMID: 37558875 PMCID: PMC10432276 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06400-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Owing to a long history of anthropogenic pressures, freshwater ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to biodiversity loss1. Mitigation measures, including wastewater treatment and hydromorphological restoration, have aimed to improve environmental quality and foster the recovery of freshwater biodiversity2. Here, using 1,816 time series of freshwater invertebrate communities collected across 22 European countries between 1968 and 2020, we quantified temporal trends in taxonomic and functional diversity and their responses to environmental pressures and gradients. We observed overall increases in taxon richness (0.73% per year), functional richness (2.4% per year) and abundance (1.17% per year). However, these increases primarily occurred before the 2010s, and have since plateaued. Freshwater communities downstream of dams, urban areas and cropland were less likely to experience recovery. Communities at sites with faster rates of warming had fewer gains in taxon richness, functional richness and abundance. Although biodiversity gains in the 1990s and 2000s probably reflect the effectiveness of water-quality improvements and restoration projects, the decelerating trajectory in the 2010s suggests that the current measures offer diminishing returns. Given new and persistent pressures on freshwater ecosystems, including emerging pollutants, climate change and the spread of invasive species, we call for additional mitigation to revive the recovery of freshwater biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Haase
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Diana E Bowler
- Department of Ecosystem Services, German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Department of Ecosystem Services, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nathan J Baker
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Ecology of Hydrobionts, Nature Research Centre, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Núria Bonada
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sami Domisch
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jaime R Garcia Marquez
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jani Heino
- Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Daniel Hering
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sonja C Jähnig
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber
- Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rachel Stubbington
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Mario Álvarez-Cabria
- IHCantabria-Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | | | - David G Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Brain Capital Alliance, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Gaït Archambaud-Suard
- INRAE, UMR RECOVER Aix Marseille Univ, Centre d'Aix-en-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | | | | | - Iñaki Bañares
- Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Obras Hidráulicas, Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - José Barquín Ortiz
- IHCantabria-Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Christian L Bodin
- LFI-The Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Luca Bonacina
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences-DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Bottarin
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- FEHM-Lab, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zoltán Csabai
- Department of Hydrobiology, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Thibault Datry
- INRAE, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Elvira de Eyto
- Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services, Marine Institute, Newport, Ireland
| | - Alain Dohet
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Gerald Dörflinger
- Water Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Emma Drohan
- Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Ireland
| | - Knut A Eikland
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Tor E Eriksen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vesela Evtimova
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Maria J Feio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Martial Ferréol
- INRAE, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Mathieu Floury
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | | | - Riccardo Fornaroli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences-DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo, Norway
- Freshwater Biological Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- water@leeds, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Galia Georgieva
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Peter Goethals
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Manuel A S Graça
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Wolfram Graf
- Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Thomas C Jensen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Richard K Johnson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - J Iwan Jones
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jens Kiesel
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Hydrology and Water Resources Management, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Institute for Natural Resource Conservation, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lenka Kuglerová
- Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Aitor Larrañaga
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Patrick Leitner
- Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lionel L'Hoste
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marie-Helène Lizée
- INRAE, UMR RECOVER Aix Marseille Univ, Centre d'Aix-en-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Armin W Lorenz
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anthony Maire
- Laboratoire National d'Hydraulique et Environnement, EDF Recherche et Développement, Chatou, France
| | | | - Brendan G McKie
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrés Millán
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Don Monteith
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster, UK
| | - Timo Muotka
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - John F Murphy
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Davis Ozolins
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Riku Paavola
- Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu Infrastructure Platform, Kuusamo, Finland
| | - Petr Paril
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco J Peñas
- IHCantabria-Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | | | - Marek Polášek
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Manu Rubio
- Ekolur Asesoría Ambiental SLL, Oiartzun, Spain
| | | | - Leonard Sandin
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Alberto Scotti
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- APEM, Stockport, UK
| | - Longzhu Q Shen
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Green Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Agnija Skuja
- Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Stefan Stoll
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Environmental Planning / Environmental Technology, University of Applied Sciences Trier, Birkenfeld, Germany
| | - Michal Straka
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Henn Timm
- Chair of Hydrobiology and Fishery, Centre for Limnology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Elva vald, Estonia
| | - Violeta G Tyufekchieva
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Iakovos Tziortzis
- Water Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Yordan Uzunov
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Gea H van der Lee
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rudy Vannevel
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Flanders Environment Agency, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Emilia Varadinova
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Department of Geography, Ecology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, South-West University 'Neofit Rilski', Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Gábor Várbíró
- Department of Tisza River Research, Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gaute Velle
- LFI-The Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Piet F M Verdonschot
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ralf C M Verdonschot
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Yanka Vidinova
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystems, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Ellen A R Welti
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany.
- Conservation Ecology Center, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA, USA.
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10
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Woods T, Freeman MC, Krause KP, Maloney KO. Observed and projected functional reorganization of riverine fish assemblages from global change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3759-3780. [PMID: 37021672 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16707] [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: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Climate and land-use/land-cover change ("global change") are restructuring biodiversity, globally. Broadly, environmental conditions are expected to become warmer, potentially drier (particularly in arid regions), and more anthropogenically developed in the future, with spatiotemporally complex effects on ecological communities. We used functional traits to inform Chesapeake Bay Watershed fish responses to future climate and land-use scenarios (2030, 2060, and 2090). We modeled the future habitat suitability of focal species representative of key trait axes (substrate, flow, temperature, reproduction, and trophic) and used functional and phylogenetic metrics to assess variable assemblage responses across physiographic regions and habitat sizes (headwaters through large rivers). Our focal species analysis projected future habitat suitability gains for carnivorous species with preferences for warm water, pool habitats, and fine or vegetated substrates. At the assemblage level, models projected decreasing habitat suitability for cold-water, rheophilic, and lithophilic individuals but increasing suitability for carnivores in the future across all regions. Projected responses of functional and phylogenetic diversity and redundancy differed among regions. Lowland regions were projected to become less functionally and phylogenetically diverse and more redundant while upland regions (and smaller habitat sizes) were projected to become more diverse and less redundant. Next, we assessed how these model-projected assemblage changes 2005-2030 related to observed time-series trends (1999-2016). Halfway through the initial projecting period (2005-2030), we found observed trends broadly followed modeled patterns of increasing proportions of carnivorous and lithophilic individuals in lowland regions but showed opposing patterns for functional and phylogenetic metrics. Leveraging observed and predicted analyses simultaneously helps elucidate the instances and causes of discrepancies between model predictions and ongoing observed changes. Collectively, results highlight the complexity of global change impacts across broad landscapes that likely relate to differences in assemblages' intrinsic sensitivities and external exposure to stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Woods
- Eastern Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia, Kearneysville, USA
| | - Mary C Freeman
- Eastern Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Kevin P Krause
- Eastern Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia, Kearneysville, USA
| | - Kelly O Maloney
- Eastern Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia, Kearneysville, USA
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11
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Dorić V, Ivković M, Baranov V, Pozojević I, Mihaljević Z. Extreme freshwater discharge events exacerbated by climate change influence the structure and functional response of the chironomid community in a biodiversity hotspot. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163110. [PMID: 36972886 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change is expected to exacerbate extreme discharge events in freshwater ecosystems as a consequence of changes in precipitation volume and snow cover duration. Chironomid midges were used as a model organism in this study because of their small size and short life cycles, which enable fast colonization of new habitats and great resilience. This resilience is often expressed in easy recolonization after an extreme event. Chironomid samples together with physico-chemical water measurements were collected for 14 years, between 2007 and 2020, in a karst tufa barrier that is part of the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. More than 13,000 individuals belonging to >90 taxa were collected. Mean annual water temperature increased by 0.1 °C during this period. Multiple change-point analysis revealed three main periods by discharge patterns: the first one from January 2007 to June 2010, the second from July 2010 to March 2013, characterised by extreme low discharge, and the third from April 2013 to December 2020, characterised by an increase in extreme peak discharge values. Based on multilevel pattern analysis, indicator species of the first and the third discharge period were detected. The ecological preferences of these species indicate an environmental change related to the changes in discharge. Along with species composition, functional composition has changed with the abundance of passive filtrators, shredders and predators increasing over time. Species richness and abundance did not change over the period of observation, thus emphasizing the importance of species-level identification in detecting the earliest community response to change that would otherwise be overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Dorić
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Ivković
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Viktor Baranov
- Doñana Biological Station EBD-CSIC, C/ Americo Vespucio, 26, 41092, Isla de la Cartuja, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Ivana Pozojević
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zlatko Mihaljević
- Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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12
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Carey N, Chester ET, Robson BJ. Loss of functionally important and regionally endemic species from streams forced into intermittency by global warming. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:3019-3038. [PMID: 36811356 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16650] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is altering hydrological cycles globally, and in Mediterranean (med-) climate regions it is causing the drying of river flow regimes, including the loss of perennial flows. Water regime exerts a strong influence over stream assemblages, which have developed over geological timeframes with the extant flow regime. Consequently, sudden drying in formerly perennial streams is expected to have large, negative impacts on stream fauna. We compared contemporary (2016/17) macroinvertebrate assemblages of formerly perennial streams that became intermittently flowing (since the early 2000s) to assemblages recorded in the same streams by a study conducted pre-drying (1981/82) in the med-climate region of southwestern Australia (the Wungong Brook catchment, SWA), using a multiple before-after, control-impact design. Assemblage composition in the stream reaches that remained perennial changed very little between the studies. In contrast, recent intermittency had a profound effect on species composition in streams impacted by drying, including the extirpation of nearly all Gondwanan relictual insect species. New species arriving at intermittent streams tended to be widespread, resilient species including desert-adapted taxa. Intermittent streams also had distinct species assemblages, due in part to differences in their hydroperiods, allowing the establishment of distinct winter and summer assemblages in streams with longer-lived pools. The remaining perennial stream is the only refuge for ancient Gondwanan relict species and the only place in the Wungong Brook catchment where many of these species still persist. The fauna of SWA upland streams is becoming homogenised with that of the wider Western Australian landscape, as drought-tolerant, widespread species replace local endemics. Flow regime drying caused large, in situ alterations to stream assemblage composition and demonstrates the threat posed to relictual stream faunas in regions where climates are drying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Carey
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Edwin T Chester
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Belinda J Robson
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
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13
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Zhai M, Bojková J, Němejcová D, Polášek M, Syrovátka V, Horsák M. Climatically promoted taxonomic homogenization of macroinvertebrates in unaffected streams varies along the river continuum. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6292. [PMID: 37072510 PMCID: PMC10113374 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biotic homogenization appears to be a global consequence of anthropogenic change. However, the underlying environmental factors contributing to homogenization are difficult to identify because their effects usually interact and confound each other. This can be the reason why there is very little evidence on the role of climate warming in homogenization. By analysing macroinvertebrate assemblages in 65 streams that were as close to natural conditions as possible, we avoided the confounding effects of common anthropogenic stressors. This approach resulted in revealing a significant effect of increased temperature (both summer and winter) on changes in macroinvertebrate compositional over the past two decades. However, homogenization was significant only at opposite ends of the river continuum (submontane brooks, low-altitude rivers). Surprisingly, species of native origin predominated overall, increasing in frequency and abundance ("winners"), while only a minority of species declined or disappeared ("losers"). We hypothesise that undisturbed conditions mitigate species declines and thus homogenization, and that the temperature increase has so far been beneficial to most native species. Although we may have only captured a transitional state due to extinction debt, this underscores the importance of maintaining ecological conditions in stream to prevent species loss due to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Zhai
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jindřiška Bojková
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Němejcová
- T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p.r.i., Podbabská 2582/30, 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Polášek
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
- T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p.r.i., Podbabská 2582/30, 160 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Vít Syrovátka
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Horsák
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37, Brno, Czech Republic
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14
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Wang J, Bao S, Zhang K, Heino J, Jiang X, Liu Z, Tao J. Responses of macroinvertebrate functional trait structure to river damming: From within-river to basin-scale patterns. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115255. [PMID: 36634889 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115255] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Revealing how aquatic organisms respond to dam impacts is essential for river biomonitoring and management. Traditional examinations of dam impacts on macroinvertebrate assemblages were frequently conducted within single rivers (i.e., between upstream vs. downstream locations) and based on taxonomic identities but have rarely been expanded to level of entire basins (i.e., between dammed vs. undammed rivers) and from a functional trait perspective. Here, we evaluated the effects of dams on macroinvertebrate assemblages at both the within-river and basin scales using functional traits in two comparable tropical tributaries of the Lancang-Mekong River. At different scales, maximum body size, functional feeding groups (FFG), voltinism and occurrence in drift respond significantly to dam impact. Armoring categories varied significantly between downstream sites and upstream sites, and oviposition behavior, habits and adult life span significantly differed between rivers. The key traits at the within-river scale resembled to those at the between-river scale, suggesting that within-river trait variation could further shape functional trait structure at the basin scale in dammed rivers. Furthermore, water nutrients and habitat quality induced by dams showed the most important role in shaping trait structure, although trait-environment relationships varied between the two different scales. In addition, the trait-environment relationships were stronger in the dry season than in the wet season, suggesting a more important role of environmental filtering processes in the dry season compared with the wet season. This study highlights the utility of the trait-based approach to diagnose the effects of damming and emphasizes the importance of spatial scale to examine dam impacts in riverine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair/ Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Eco-nomic Belt, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Simin Bao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair/ Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Eco-nomic Belt, Ministry of Education, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Kai Zhang
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Jani Heino
- Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland.
| | - Xiaoming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulic in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China.
| | - Zhenyuan Liu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Juan Tao
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
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15
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Wu N, Zhang M, Qu X, Martinez-Capel F. Editorial: Biodiversity conservation and ecological function restoration in freshwater ecosystems. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1137985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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16
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Li F, Qin S, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Yang Z. Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals the impact of different land use on multitrophic biodiversity in riverine systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158958. [PMID: 36152857 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced changes in land use drive an alarming decline in river biodiversity and related ecosystem services worldwide. However, how different land use shapes aquatic multitrophic communities is still not well understood. Here, we used the biodiversity dataset from bacteria to fish captured by the environmental DNA (eDNA) approach in the four riverine systems with spatially different land use (i.e., Slightly disturbed group, Upstream disturbed group, Downstream disturbed group, and Strongly disturbed group) to reveal the changes in multitrophic biodiversity in relation to human land use. Firstly, our data showed that spatially different land use determined the pollutant loads of the riverine systems, most pollutants (e.g., TN and NH3-N) had significant differences among the four riverine systems. Secondly, taxonomic α diversity across multitrophic levels did not necessarily change significantly, yet the change in community structure can be considered as a more sensitive indicator to reflect different land use, because different land use shaped the unique structure of multitrophic communities, and the dissimilarity of community structure was closely associated with land use gradient (e.g., positive relationships in the Slightly disturbed group, negative relationships in the Strongly disturbed group). Thirdly, different land use induced the shifts of key taxa, resulting in the variation of community structure and the change of co-occurrence network. Overall, these findings suggest that spatially different land use plays a critical role in shaping aquatic multitrophic communities, and an in-depth understanding of the interdependences between biodiversity and land use is a critical prerequisite for formulating river management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Shan Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zongyang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
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17
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Li F, Guo F, Gao W, Cai Y, Zhang Y, Yang Z. Environmental DNA Biomonitoring Reveals the Interactive Effects of Dams and Nutrient Enrichment on Aquatic Multitrophic Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16952-16963. [PMID: 36383447 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dam construction and nutrient enrichment are two pervasive stressors in rivers worldwide, which trigger a sharp decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, the interactive effects of both stressors on multitrophic taxonomic groups remain largely unclear. Here, we used the multitrophic datasets captured by the environmental DNA (eDNA) approach to reveal the interactions between dams and nutrient enrichment on aquatic communities from the aspects of taxonomic α diversity, β diversity, and food webs. First, our data showed that dams and nutrient enrichment jointly shaped a unique spatial pattern of aquatic communities across the four river systems, and the dissimilarity of community structure significantly declined (i.e., structural homogenization) under both stressors. Second, dams and nutrients together explained 40-50% of the variations in aquatic communities, and dams had a stronger impact on fish, aquatic insects, and bacteria, yet nutrients had a stronger power to drive protozoa, fungi, and eukaryotic algae. Finally, we found that additive, synergistic, and antagonistic interactions of dams and nutrient enrichment were common and coexisted in river systems and led to significantly simplified aquatic food webs, with decreases in modularity (synergistic) and robustness (additive) and an increase in coherence (synergistic). Overall, our study highlights that eDNA-based datasets can provide multitrophic perspectives for fostering the understanding of the interactive effects of multiple stressors on rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou511458, China
| | - Fen Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou511458, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou510006, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou511458, China
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18
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Lencioni V, Stella E, Zanoni MG, Bellin A. On the delay between water temperature and invertebrate community response to warming climate. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155759. [PMID: 35533868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the effect of global warming on invertebrate communities at high altitudes using data from the Careser system. We procured data on air temperature, which was obtained over 50 years at altitudes above 2600 m a.s.l., and data on water temperature, which was available for approximately 30 years. We sampled thrice in the past 20 years (2001, 2014, 2018) at three sampling sites (CR0-metakryal, CR1-hypokryal, CR2-glacio-rhithral) of the Careser glacier-fed stream and its main non-glacial tributary (CR1bis-krenal). Warmer climates were observed in the last decade compared to the 1980s, with a mean maximum summer air temperature (mTmax) increase of 1.7 °C at 2642 m a.s.l. and 1.8 °C at 2858 m a.s.l. Compared to air temperatures, the rise in water temperature was delayed by approximately 20 years; water mTmax started to increase in 2003, reaching 8.1 °C at 2642 m a.s.l. and 2.4 °C at 2858 m a.s.l in the year 2020. The invertebrate community exhibited a delayed response approximately 13 years from the water warming; there was a sequential increase in the number of taxa, Shannon diversity, and after 17 years, functional diversity. In the kryal sites, taxonomical and functional diversity changed more consistently than in the glacio-rhithral site in the same period, due to the arrival of taxa that were previously absent upstream and bearers of entirely new traits. Progressive taxonomical homogenisation was evident with decreasing glacial influence, mainly between glacio-rhithral and krenal sites. The numbers of Diamesa steinboecki, an insect that was adapted to the cold, declined in summer (water mTmax >6 °C and air mTmax >12 °C). This study highlights the mode and time of response of stream invertebrate communities to global warming in alpine streams and provides guidelines for analysing changes in the stream invertebrate communities of other glacial systems in alpine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Lencioni
- Climate and Ecology Unit, Research and Museum Collection Office, MUSE-Museo delle Scienze, Corso del Lavoro e della Scienza 3, Trento, 38122, Italy.
| | - Elisa Stella
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Scientific Campus, Via Torino, 155, Mestre-Venice 30172, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Zanoni
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, DICAM, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento 38123, Italy
| | - Alberto Bellin
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, DICAM, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento 38123, Italy
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The impacts of hydropower on freshwater macroinvertebrate richness: A global meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273089. [PMID: 35980987 PMCID: PMC9387867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydroelectric dams and their reservoirs have been suggested to affect freshwater biodiversity. Nevertheless, studies investigating the consequences of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs on macroinvertebrate richness have reached opposite conclusions. We performed a meta-analysis devised to elucidate the effects of hydropower, dams and reservoirs on macroinvertebrate richness while accounting for the potential role played by moderators such as biomes, impact types, study designs, sampling seasons and gears. We used a random/mixed-effects model, combined with robust variance estimation, to conduct the meta-analysis on 107 pairs of observations (i.e., impacted versus reference) extracted from 24 studies (more than one observation per study). Hydropower, dams and reservoirs did significantly impact (P = 0.04) macroinvertebrate richness in a clear, directional and statistically significant way, where macroinvertebrate richness in hydropower, dams and reservoirs impacted environments were significantly lower than in unimpacted environments. We also observed a large range of effect sizes, from very negative to very positive impacts of hydropower. We tried to account for the large variability in effect sizes using moderators, but none of the moderators included in the meta-analysis had statistically significant effects. This suggests that some other moderators (unavailable for the 24 studies) might be important (e.g., temperature, granulometry, wave disturbance and macrophytes) and that macroinvertebrate richness may be driven by local, smaller scale processes. As new studies become available, it would be interesting to keep enriching this meta-analysis, as well as collecting local habitat variables, to see if we could statistically strengthen and deepen the conclusions of this meta-analysis.
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20
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Temporal Changes of Fish Diversity and Driver Factors in a National Nature Reserve, China. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12121544. [PMID: 35739879 PMCID: PMC9219462 DOI: 10.3390/ani12121544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Freshwater-fish diversity declined rapidly due to multiple anthropogenic disturbances. The loss of fish diversity often manifested itself in taxonomic homogenization over time. Knowledge of multi-faceted diversity (i.e., species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity) perspectives is important for biodiversity assessment and conservation planning. The results showed that the diversity of fish has declined from 2008 to 2021, with five species lost over time. We found an overall homogenization trend in the fish fauna of the study area, with a 4% increase in the taxonomic similarity among the rivers. Additionally, we found that the community structure of fish was significantly different among the rivers, and environmental filtering was the main contributor to the phylogenetic diversity of fish in 2008 and 2021. This study provides new insight into the patterns and drivers of fish-biodiversity change in the broader Yangtze River basin and informs management efforts. Abstract Freshwater-fish diversity declined rapidly due to multiple anthropogenic disturbances. The loss of fish diversity often manifested itself in taxonomic homogenization over time. Knowledge of multi-faceted diversity (i.e., species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity) perspectives is important for biodiversity assessment and conservation planning. Here, we analyzed the change of the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of fish in 2008 and 2021 as well as explored the driver factors of the biodiversity patterns in the Lushan National Nature Reserve. The results showed that the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of fish have declined from 2008 to 2021, with five species lost over time. We found an overall homogenization trend in the fish fauna of the study area, with a 4% increase in taxonomic similarity among the rivers. Additionally, we found that community structure of fish was significantly different among the rivers, and environmental filtering was the main contributor to the phylogenetic diversity of fish in 2008 and 2021. This study provides new insight into the patterns and drivers of fish-biodiversity change in the broader Yangtze River basin and informs management efforts.
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Li F, Wang S, Zhang Y, Zhang N, Cai Y, Yang Z. DNA metabarcoding reveals human impacts on macroinvertebrate communities in polluted headwater streams: Evidence from the Liao River in northeast China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118929. [PMID: 35114307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118929] [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: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Headwater streams are a hotspot of freshwater biodiversity, carrying indispensable resource pools of aquatic species. However, up to now, there remain many challenges to accurately and efficiently characterize the responses of this vulnerable ecosystem to human-induced changes. Here, we collected macroinvertebrate data from 12 different headwater streams in the Liao River of northeast China by DNA metabarcoding approach, to reveal biodiversity changes and ecological thresholds affected by human beings. Our data showed that the community composition and structure of headwater streams had unique and significant differences under human impacts, and 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were the key variables explaining the variation in community structure. Although α diversity had a unimodal relationship with nutrients and organic loads, β diversity and its turnover component (species replacement) increased significantly. In addition, 22 and 33 indicative taxa were identified to have significant negative responses to BOD5 and NH3-N, respectively, and the change points derived from Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) for the negative response of their frequency and abundance were BOD5 >3.42 mg/L and NH3-N >0.14 mg/L. Overall, this study reveals the biodiversity changes in headwater streams from the aspects of α and β diversity, and also determines the thresholds of BOD5 and NH3-N pollutants for one reach at one date from 12 headwater streams, suggesting the potential of DNA metabarcoding approach for threshold analyses in headwater streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Shuping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Nan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
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22
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Li F, Zhang Y, Altermatt F, Zhang X. Consideration of Multitrophic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions Improves Indices on River Ecological Status. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:16434-16444. [PMID: 34882399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological quality elements have been developed worldwide to assess whether a water body is in a good status or not. However, current studies mainly focus on a single taxonomic group or a small set of species, often limited by methods of morphological identification, and lack further aspects of biodiversity (e.g., across taxa and multiple attributes) and ecosystem functions. Here, we advance a framework for assessing the river's ecological status based on complete biodiversity data measured by environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and measurements of ecosystem functions in addition to physicochemical elements across a large riverine system in China. We identified 40 indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem functions, covering five taxonomic groups from bacteria to invertebrates, and associated with multiple attributes of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Our data show that human impact on ecosystems could be accurately predicted by these eDNA-based indicators and ecosystem functions, using cross-validation with a known stressor gradient. Moreover, indices based on these indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem functions not only distinguish the physicochemical characteristics of the sites but also improve the assessment accuracy of 20-30% for the river's ecological status. Overall, by incorporating eDNA-based biodiversity with physicochemical and ecosystem functional elements, the multidimensional perspectives of ecosystem states provide additional information to protect and maintain a good ecological status of rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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23
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Baker NJ, Pilotto F, Haubrock PJ, Beudert B, Haase P. Multidecadal changes in functional diversity lag behind the recovery of taxonomic diversity. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17471-17484. [PMID: 34938522 PMCID: PMC8668763 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
While there has been increasing interest in how taxonomic diversity is changing over time, less is known about how long-term taxonomic changes may affect ecosystem functioning and resilience. Exploring long-term patterns of functional diversity can provide key insights into the capacity of a community to carry out ecological processes and the redundancy of species' roles. We focus on a protected freshwater system located in a national park in southeast Germany. We use a high-resolution benthic macroinvertebrate dataset spanning 32 years (1983-2014) and test whether changes in functional diversity are reflected in taxonomic diversity using a multidimensional trait-based approach and regression analyses. Specifically, we asked: (i) How has functional diversity changed over time? (ii) How functionally distinct are the community's taxa? (iii) Are changes in functional diversity concurrent with taxonomic diversity? And (iv) what is the extent of community functional redundancy? Resultant from acidification mitigation, macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity increased over the study period. Recovery of functional diversity was less pronounced, lagging behind responses of taxonomic diversity. Over multidecadal timescales, the macroinvertebrate community has become more homogenous with a high degree of functional redundancy, despite being isolated from direct anthropogenic activity. While taxonomic diversity increased over time, functional diversity has yet to catch up. These results demonstrate that anthropogenic pressures can remain a threat to biotic communities even in protected areas. The differences in taxonomic and functional recovery processes highlight the need to incorporate functional traits in assessments of biodiversity responses to global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Jay Baker
- Department of River Ecology and ConservationSenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtGelnhausenGermany
| | - Francesca Pilotto
- Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious StudiesEnvironmental Archaeology LabUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Phillip Joschka Haubrock
- Department of River Ecology and ConservationSenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtGelnhausenGermany
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of WatersSouth Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of HydrocenosesUniversity of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceVodňanyCzech Republic
| | - Burkhard Beudert
- Department of Conservation and ResearchBavarian Forest National ParkGrafenauGermany
| | - Peter Haase
- Department of River Ecology and ConservationSenckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum FrankfurtGelnhausenGermany
- Faculty of BiologyUniversity of Duisburg‐EssenEssenGermany
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24
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Arias‐Real R, Gutiérrez‐Cánovas C, Menéndez M, Granados V, Muñoz I. Diversity mediates the responses of invertebrate density to duration and frequency of rivers' annual drying regime. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Arias‐Real
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Univ. de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | | | - Margarita Menéndez
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Univ. de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Verónica Granados
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Univ. de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | - Isabel Muñoz
- Dept of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Univ. de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
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25
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Guareschi S, Laini A, England J, Barrett J, Wood PJ. Multiple co-occurrent alien invaders constrain aquatic biodiversity in rivers. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02385. [PMID: 34128287 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A greater understanding and effective management of biological invasions is a priority for biodiversity conservation globally. Many freshwater ecosystems are experiencing the colonization and spread of multiple co-occurrent alien species. Here the implications of both the relative abundance and richness of alien invaders on aquatic macroinvertebrate taxonomic and functional richness, ecosystem quality, and functional redundancy are assessed using long-term data from rivers in England. Based on the most common aquatic invaders, results indicated that their richness, rather than abundance, was the most important factor negatively affecting aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. However, the response of functional redundancy was negatively affected by invader abundance at the river basin scale. The response of communities varied as the number of invading taxa increased, with the most marked reductions following the colonization of the first few invaders. Results indicate that different facets of multiple biological invasions influence distinct aspects of aquatic biodiversity. Preventing the establishment of new invaders and limiting invader taxa richness within a community should therefore be a conservation priority. These findings will assist river scientists in understanding mechanisms driving changes in biodiversity and facilitate the testing of ecological theories while also ensuring environmental managers and regulators can prioritize conservation / management opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Guareschi
- Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Laini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 11/A, Parma, 43124, Italy
| | - Judy England
- Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Howbery Park, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8BD, United Kingdom
| | - Jon Barrett
- Environment Agency, Red Kite House, Howbery Park, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, OX10 8BD, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J Wood
- Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, United Kingdom
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26
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Abstract
Exploitation of hydropower potential in alpine areas undermines the ecological integrity of rivers. Damming and water abstraction substantially alter the physical habitat template of rivers, with strong repercussions on aquatic communities and their resources. Tools are needed to predict and manage the consequences of these alterations on the structure and functioning of macroinvertebrate communities and resource availability in alpine streams. We developed habitat preference models for taxa, functional feeding guilds, and organic resources to quantify the effects of discharge alteration on macroinvertebrate communities in two alpine streams. Our physical habitat model related an indirect measure of bottom hydraulic forces (FST hemispheres) to the distribution of macroinvertebrate taxa and their resources. We observed that flow-dependent habitat availability for macroinvertebrate communities generally decreased with increasing water abstraction. We were able to relate these changes to near-bed hydraulic conditions. Our results suggest, however, the existence of upper discharge thresholds delimiting optimal habitat conditions for taxa. In contrast, we found weak effects of near-bed hydraulic conditions on resource distribution. Overall, our findings contribute towards predicting the impacts of water abstraction on macroinvertebrate communities in small alpine streams and the benefits of baseflow restoration.
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27
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Wang J, Ding C, Tao J, Jiang X, Heino J, Ding L, Su W, Chen M, Zhang K, He D. Damming affects riverine macroinvertebrate metacommunity dynamics: Insights from taxonomic and functional beta diversity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:142945. [PMID: 33127148 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding ecological processes that drive metacommunity dynamics is essential for elucidating the mechanisms of community assembly and for guiding biodiversity conservation. This is especially important in dammed rivers. Here, we examined the taxonomic and functional beta diversity of macroinvertebrates and their underlying drivers in a dammed tropical river and compared the patterns with those in an adjacent undammed river. We found that both taxonomic and functional beta diversities were higher in the dammed river than in the undammed river across wet and dry seasons. The replacement component contributed most to the overall beta diversity for both taxonomic and functional facets, and this component was higher in the dammed river than in the undammed river. In addition, the taxonomic richness difference component was significantly higher in the dammed river in the dry season, but the functional richness difference component showed no difference between the two rivers and between the two seasons. Environmental filtering was the primary driver of total beta diversity and its replacement component, whereas the richness difference component was mainly explained by spatial factors, but these drivers varied in the dammed river in different seasons. Overall, our results indicated that damming induced changes in physiochemical variables (e.g., temperature, conductivity, and nutrients), accompanied by alterations in flow regime and longitudinal connectivity, increased replacement and loss of taxa or traits. These changes have consequently led to alteration of macroinvertebrate taxonomic and functional community dissimilarity and affected the relative effects of environmental and spatial factors on beta diversity and its components. Our study helps understand the ecological processes associated with dam impacts on macroinvertebrate biodiversity and the conservation potential of undammed rivers. In addition, our results showed that taxonomic and functional beta diversities can provide complementary information about dam impacts on riverine biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Chengzhi Ding
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Juan Tao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Xiaoming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulic in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China.
| | - Jani Heino
- Freshwater Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Liuyong Ding
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Wan Su
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Meiling Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Kai Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
| | - Daming He
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
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28
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Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Guo F, Leigh C, Jia X. Increasing anthropogenic salinisation leads to declines in community diversity, functional diversity and trophic links in mountain streams. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:127994. [PMID: 32828062 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic salinisation is becoming an increasing global issue for freshwater ecosystems, leading to serious biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. While the effect of anthropogenic salinisation on freshwater ecosystems has been intensively studied in recent years, most studies focus on salinisation effects on the individual or single groups of organisms without considering the effect on the ecosystem levels, such as diversity and trophic links. Therefore, we conducted a long-term field survey from May 2009 to August 2016 at 405 sites in northeast China to investigate the effect of a gradient of salinisation on community diversity, functional diversity and trophic links in mountain streams. Samples of water chemistry, periphyton, macroinvertebrates and fish were collected. Our results showed that as anthropogenic salinisation increased, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3- and SO42- exhibited significant increases (p < 0.05). These increased ions caused decreases in taxonomic evenness and biotic integrity, but an increase in the beta diversity for periphyton and macroinvertebrates, and a slight increase in the evenness of fish. The increased salinisation resulted in the extirpation of salt-sensitive taxa and declines in macroinvertebrate functional richness and functional redundancy, which consequently led to simplified trophic links. Our results implied that if salt-tolerant taxa in high salinisation sites were not functionally redundant with less tolerant taxa, alterations of their functional composition probably decrease the stability of ecosystem functions. Overall, our study suggests that the ongoing anthropogenic salinisation is posing serious threats to biodiversity and trophic links in river ecosystems, and should be considered in future river restoration and biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Fen Guo
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
| | - Catherine Leigh
- Biosciences and Food Technology Discipline, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiaobo Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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29
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Guareschi S, Laini A, England J, Johns T, Winter M, Wood PJ. Invasive species influence macroinvertebrate biomonitoring tools and functional diversity in British rivers. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Guareschi
- Geography and Environment Loughborough University Loughborough UK
| | - Alex Laini
- Department of Chemistry Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability University of Parma Parma Italy
| | | | - Tim Johns
- Environment Agency Horizon House Bristol UK
| | | | - Paul J. Wood
- Geography and Environment Loughborough University Loughborough UK
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30
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Li F, Altermatt F, Yang J, An S, Li A, Zhang X. Human activities' fingerprint on multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem functions across a major river catchment in China. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:6867-6879. [PMID: 32936984 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced global change dramatically alters individual aspects of river biodiversity, such as taxonomic, phylogenetic or functional diversity, and is predicted to lead to losses of associated ecosystem functions. Understanding these losses and dependencies are critical to human well-being. Until now, however, most studies have only looked either at individual organismal groups or single functions, and little is known on the effect of human activities on multitrophic biodiversity and on ecosystem multifunctionality in riverine ecosystem. Here we profiled biodiversity from bacteria to invertebrates based on environmental DNA (hereafter, 'eDNA') samples across a major river catchment in China, and analysed their dependencies with multiple ecosystem functions, especially linked to C/N/P-cycling. Firstly, we found a spatial cross-taxon congruence pattern of communities' structure in the network of the Shaying river, which was related to strong environmental filtering due to human land use. Secondly, human land use explained the decline of multitrophic and multifaceted biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but increased functional redundancy in the riverine ecosystem. Thirdly, biodiversity and ecosystem function relationships at an integrative level showed a concave-up (non-saturating) shape. Finally, structural equation modeling suggested that land use affects ecosystem functions through biodiversity-mediated pathways, including biodiversity loss and altered community interdependence in multitrophic groups. Our study highlights the value of a complete and inclusive assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem functions for an integrated land-use management of riverine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jianghua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Shuqing An
- School of Life Sciences and Institute of Wetland Ecology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
- Nanjing University Ecology Research Institute of Changshu (NJUecoRICH), Changshu, P. R. China
| | - Aimin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, P. R. China
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31
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Mouton TL, Tonkin JD, Stephenson F, Verburg P, Floury M. Increasing climate-driven taxonomic homogenization but functional differentiation among river macroinvertebrate assemblages. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:6904-6915. [PMID: 33030282 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Global change is increasing biotic homogenization globally, which modifies the functioning of ecosystems. While tendencies towards taxonomic homogenization in biological communities have been extensively studied, functional homogenization remains an understudied facet of biodiversity. Here, we tested four hypotheses related to long-term changes (1991-2016) in the taxonomic and functional arrangement of freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages across space and possible drivers of these changes. Using data collected annually at 64 river sites in mainland New Zealand, we related temporal changes in taxonomic and functional spatial β-diversity, and the contribution of individual sites to β-diversity, to a set of global, regional, catchment and reach-scale environmental descriptors. We observed long-term, mostly climate-induced, temporal trends towards taxonomic homogenization but functional differentiation among macroinvertebrate assemblages. These changes were mainly driven by replacements of species and functional traits among assemblages, rather than nested species loss. In addition, there was no difference between the mean rate of change in the taxonomic and functional facets of β-diversity. Climatic processes governed overall population and community changes in these freshwater ecosystems, but were amplified by multiple anthropogenic, topographic and biotic drivers of environmental change, acting widely across the landscape. The functional diversification of communities could potentially provide communities with greater stability, resistance and resilience capacity to environmental change, despite ongoing taxonomic homogenization. Therefore, our study highlights a need to further understand temporal trajectories in both taxonomic and functional components of species communities, which could enable a clearer picture of how biodiversity and ecosystems will respond to future global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Théophile L Mouton
- MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex, France
| | - Jonathan D Tonkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Fabrice Stephenson
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Piet Verburg
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Mathieu Floury
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne, France
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32
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Stefani F, Schiavon A, Tirozzi P, Gomarasca S, Marziali L. Functional response of fish communities in a multistressed freshwater world. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:139902. [PMID: 32927533 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater fish communities are impacted by multiple pressures, determining loss of functional diversity and redundancy. Our aim was to disentangle the roles and relevancies of different pressures in shaping fish communities in small streams of the Po plain (North Italy). Long term trend (1998-2018) of functional diversity of 31 fish communities was assessed and modeled in respect to three potential pressures: temperature increase, intensity of exotic fish invasion, and habitat quality degradation. Ecological traits mostly influenced by the pressures were also identified. Reduction of functional richness mostly due to local extinction or contraction of cold adapted predators, such as salmonids, was linked to increasing temperatures. Warming probably also led to a shift of generalist and dominant species, which became more abundant in streams hosting mixed communities of salmonids and cyprinids, and determined the increase of functional dispersion and uniqueness. Reduction of functional redundancy and increasing functional dispersion were both also related to the introduction of new ecological traits brought by expanding exotic species. Low functional overlap was found among native and exotic species, indicating that the invasion process was mainly controlled by competitive interactions and/or resource opportunism. Functional response to habitat quality was not clearly evident. In conclusion, the impact of temperature increase and exotic species on fish functional diversity was effective, idiosyncratic and mediated by the scale of analysis and by the intensity of pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Stefani
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, MB, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Schiavon
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, MB, Italy
| | - Pietro Tirozzi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Gomarasca
- Dip. of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), University of Milan, via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Marziali
- Water Research Institute-National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, MB, Italy
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33
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Biggs CR, Yeager LA, Bolser DG, Bonsell C, Dichiera AM, Hou Z, Keyser SR, Khursigara AJ, Lu K, Muth AF, Negrete B, Erisman BE. Does functional redundancy affect ecological stability and resilience? A review and meta‐analysis. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Biggs
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Lauren A. Yeager
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Derek G. Bolser
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Christina Bonsell
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Angelina M. Dichiera
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Zhenxin Hou
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Spencer R. Keyser
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Alexis J. Khursigara
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Kaijun Lu
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Arley F. Muth
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Benjamin Negrete
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
| | - Brad E. Erisman
- Marine Science Institute The University of Texas at Austin 750 Channel View Drive Port Aransas Texas 78373 USA
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34
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Ramulifho PA, Foord SH, Rivers‐Moore NA. The role of hydro-environmental factors in Mayfly (Ephemeroptera, Insecta) community structure: Identifying threshold responses. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:6919-6928. [PMID: 32760502 PMCID: PMC7391557 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater organisms are threatened by changes in stream flow and water temperature regimes due to global climate change and anthropogenic activities. Threats include the disappearance of narrow-tolerance species and loss of favorable thermal conditions for cold-adapted organisms. Mayflies are an abundant and diverse indicator of river health that performs important functional roles. The relative importance of key hydro-environmental factors such as water temperature and flow volumes in structuring these communities has rarely been explored in the tropical regions of Africa. Here, we investigate the response of mayfly species diversity to these factors in the Luvuvhu catchment, a strategic water source area in the arid northeastern region of South Africa. Mayfly larvae were sampled monthly in stones-in-current biotopes across 23 sites over a one-year period. The relationship between these environmental drivers and mayfly diversity was modeled using linear mixed effects models (LMMs) and a model-based multivariate approach. Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis (TITAN) was used to model the response of mayfly species to important gradients and identify thresholds of change. Site-specific characteristic were the most important predictor of mayfly diversity, and there was considerable variation over time, with mayfly diversity peaking during winter. Along this, gradient temperature was the best predictor of assemblage structure, with five out of six reliable indicator species being cold-adapted, and a community threshold response at 19°C. Results support laboratory-based thresholds of temperature for mayfly species survival and development, extending empirical evidence to include field-based observations. Increased global (climate change) and local (riparian vegetation removal, impoundments) changes are predicted to have negative impacts on mayfly diversity and ultimately on ecosystem function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pfananani A. Ramulifho
- SARChI‐Chair in Biodiversity Value and ChangeUniversity of VendaThohoyandouSouth Africa
- Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion BiologyUniversity of VendaThohoyandouSouth Africa
| | - Stefan H. Foord
- SARChI‐Chair in Biodiversity Value and ChangeUniversity of VendaThohoyandouSouth Africa
- Department of Zoology and Centre for Invasion BiologyUniversity of VendaThohoyandouSouth Africa
| | - Nick A. Rivers‐Moore
- Centre for Water Resources ResearchUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalScottsvilleSouth Africa
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35
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Palmer M, Ruhi A. Linkages between flow regime, biota, and ecosystem processes: Implications for river restoration. Science 2019; 365:365/6459/eaaw2087. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw2087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
River ecosystems are highly biodiverse, influence global biogeochemical cycles, and provide valued services. However, humans are increasingly degrading fluvial ecosystems by altering their streamflows. Effective river restoration requires advancing our mechanistic understanding of how flow regimes affect biota and ecosystem processes. Here, we review emerging advances in hydroecology relevant to this goal. Spatiotemporal variation in flow exerts direct and indirect control on the composition, structure, and dynamics of communities at local to regional scales. Streamflows also influence ecosystem processes, such as nutrient uptake and transformation, organic matter processing, and ecosystem metabolism. We are deepening our understanding of how biological processes, not just static patterns, affect and are affected by stream ecosystem processes. However, research on this nexus of flow-biota-ecosystem processes is at an early stage. We illustrate this frontier with evidence from highly altered regulated rivers and urban streams. We also identify research challenges that should be prioritized to advance process-based river restoration.
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