1
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Rosi EJ, Bernhardt ES, Solomon CT, Likens GE, McDowell WH, Creed IF. Give long-term datasets World Heritage status. Science 2022; 378:1180-1181. [PMID: 36520891 DOI: 10.1126/science.adg0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | | | | | - Gene E Likens
- Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA.,Institute of the Environment, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - William H McDowell
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
| | - Irena F Creed
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M1C1A4, Canada
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2
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Sonti NF, Groffman PM, Nowak DJ, Henning JG, Avolio ML, Rosi EJ. Urban net primary production: Concepts, field methods, and Baltimore, Maryland, USA case study. Ecol Appl 2022; 32:e2562. [PMID: 35138007 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Given the large and increasing amount of urban, suburban, and exurban land use on Earth, there is a need to accurately assess net primary productivity (NPP) of urban ecosystems. However, the heterogeneous and dynamic urban mosaic presents challenges to the measurement of NPP, creating landscapes that may appear more similar to a savanna than to the native landscape replaced. Studies of urban biomass have tended to focus on one type of vegetation (e.g., lawns or trees). Yet a focus on the ecology of the city should include the entire urban ecosystem rather than the separate investigation of its parts. Furthermore, few studies have attempted to measure urban aboveground NPP (ANPP) using field-based methods. Most studies project growth rates from measurements of tree diameter to estimate annual ANPP or use remote sensing approaches. In addition, field-based methods for measuring NPP do not address any special considerations for adapting such field methods to urban landscapes. Frequent planting and partial or complete removal of herbaceous and woody plants can make it difficult to accurately quantify increments and losses of plant biomass throughout an urban landscape. In this study, we review how ANPP of urban landscapes can be estimated based on field measurements, highlighting the challenges specific to urban areas. We then estimated ANPP of woody and herbaceous vegetation over a 15-year period for Baltimore, MD, USA using a combination of plot-based field data and published values from the literature. Baltimore's citywide ANPP was estimated to be 355.8 g m-2 , a result that we then put into context through comparison with other North American Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites and mean annual precipitation. We found our estimate of Baltimore citywide ANPP to be only approximately half as much (or less) than ANPP at forested LTER sites of the eastern United States, and more comparable to grassland, oldfield, desert, or boreal forest ANPP. We also found that Baltimore had low productivity for its level of precipitation. We conclude with a discussion of the significance of accurate assessment of primary productivity of urban ecosystems and critical future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy F Sonti
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter M Groffman
- Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York, USA
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, USA
| | - David J Nowak
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jason G Henning
- The Davey Institute and USDA Forest Service, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Meghan L Avolio
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, USA
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3
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Brandão-Dias PFP, Deatsch AE, Tank JL, Shogren AJ, Rosi EJ, Ruggiero ST, Tanner CE, Egan SP. Novel Field-Based Protein Detection Method Using Light Transmission Spectroscopy and Antibody Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles. Nano Lett 2022; 22:2611-2617. [PMID: 35362986 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein detection is a universal tool critical to many applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. We developed a novel protein detection method combining light transmission spectroscopy and particle-size analysis of gold nanospheres monovalently functionalized with polyclonal antibodies and applied it to an emerging challenge for such technologies─the monitoring of environmental proteins (eProteins) present in natural aquatic systems. These are an underreported source of pollution and include the pseudopersistent Cry toxins that enter aquatic ecosystems from surrounding genetically engineered crops. The assay is capable of detecting proteins in complex matrices, such as water samples collected in the field, making it a competitive assay for eProtein detection. It is sensitive, reaching 1.25 ng mL-1, and we demonstrate its application to the detection of Cry1Ab from subsurface tile-drain and streamwater samples from agricultural waterways. The assay can also be quickly adapted for other protein detection applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison E Deatsch
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Arial J Shogren
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401, United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York 12545, United States
| | - Steven T Ruggiero
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Carol E Tanner
- Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Scott P Egan
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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4
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Dutton CL, Subalusky AL, Sanchez A, Estrela S, Lu N, Hamilton SK, Njoroge L, Rosi EJ, Post DM. The meta-gut: community coalescence of animal gut and environmental microbiomes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23117. [PMID: 34848778 PMCID: PMC8633035 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02349-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
All animals carry specialized microbiomes, and their gut microbiota are continuously released into the environment through excretion of waste. Here we propose the meta-gut as a novel conceptual framework that addresses the ability of the gut microbiome released from an animal to function outside the host and alter biogeochemical processes mediated by microbes. We demonstrate this dynamic in the hippopotamus (hippo) and the pools they inhabit. We used natural field gradients and experimental approaches to examine fecal and pool water microbial communities and aquatic biogeochemistry across a range of hippo inputs. Sequencing using 16S RNA methods revealed community coalescence between hippo gut microbiomes and the active microbial communities in hippo pools that received high inputs of hippo feces. The shared microbiome between the hippo gut and the waters into which they excrete constitutes a meta-gut system that could influence the biogeochemistry of recipient ecosystems and provide a reservoir of gut microbiomes that could influence other hosts. We propose that meta-gut dynamics may also occur where other animal species congregate in high densities, particularly in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alvaro Sanchez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sylvie Estrela
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nanxi Lu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stephen K Hamilton
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
| | | | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
| | - David M Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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5
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Fork ML, Fick JB, Reisinger AJ, Rosi EJ. Dosing the Coast: Leaking Sewage Infrastructure Delivers Large Annual Doses and Dynamic Mixtures of Pharmaceuticals to Urban Rivers. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:11637-11645. [PMID: 34405672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are commonly detected at low concentrations in surface waters, where they disrupt biological and ecological processes. Despite their ubiquity, the annual mass of pharmaceuticals exported from watersheds is rarely quantified. We used liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy to screen for 92 pharmaceuticals in weekly samples from an urban stream network in Baltimore, MD, USA, that lacks wastewater treatment effluents. Across the network, we detected 37 unique compounds, with higher concentrations and more compounds in streams with higher population densities. We also used concentrations and stream discharge to calculate annual pharmaceutical loads at the watershed outlet, which range from less than 1 kg to ∼15 kg and are equivalent to tens of thousands of human doses. By calculating annual watershed mass balances for eight compounds, we show that ∼0.05 to ∼42% of the pharmaceuticals consumed by humans in this watershed are released to surface waters, with the importance of different pathways (leaking sewage vs treated wastewater effluent) differing among compounds. These results demonstrate the importance of developing, maintaining, and improving sewage infrastructure to protect water resources from pharmaceutical contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Fork
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike AB, Millbrook, New York 12545, United States
| | - Jerker B Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå 907 36, Sweden
| | - Alexander J Reisinger
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32603, United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545 United States
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6
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Reisinger AJ, Reisinger LS, Richmond EK, Rosi EJ. Exposure to a common antidepressant alters crayfish behavior and has potential subsequent ecosystem impacts. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey S. Reisinger
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Erinn K. Richmond
- Water Studies Centre School of Chemistry Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Emma J. Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook New York USA
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7
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Brandão-Dias PFP, Rosi EJ, Shogren AJ, Tank JL, Fischer DT, Egan SP. Fate of Environmental Proteins (eProteins) from Genetically Engineered Crops in Streams is Controlled by Water pH and Ecosystem Metabolism. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:4688-4697. [PMID: 33755442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental proteins (eProteins), such as Cry proteins associated with genetically engineered (GE) organisms, are present in ecosystems worldwide, but only rarely reach concentrations with detectable ecosystem-level impacts. Despite their ubiquity, the degradation and fate of Cry and other eProteins are mostly unknown. Here, we report the results of an experiment where we added Cry proteins leached from GE Bt maize to a suite of 19 recirculating experimental streams. We found that Cry exhibited a biphasic degradation with an initial phase of rapid and variable degradation within 1 h, followed by a slow and steady phase of degradation with traces of protein persisting after 48 h. The initial degradation was correlated with heterotrophic respiration and water column dissolved oxygen, confirming a previously documented association with stream metabolism. However, protein degradation persisted even with no biofilm and was faster at a more acidic pH, suggesting that water chemistry is also a critical factor in both degradation and subsequent detection. We suggest that Cry, as well as other eProteins, will have a rapid degradation caused by denaturation of proteins and pH changes, which confirms that the detection of Cry proteins in natural streams must be the result of steady and consistent leaching into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro F P Brandão-Dias
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York 12545, United States
| | - Arial J Shogren
- Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, United States
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - David T Fischer
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York 12545, United States
| | - Scott P Egan
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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8
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Handler KS, Subalusky AL, Kendall CJ, Dutton CL, Rosi EJ, Post DM. Temporal resource partitioning of wildebeest carcasses by scavengers after riverine mass mortality events. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S. Handler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Yale University New Haven Connecticut06511USA
| | - Amanda L. Subalusky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Yale University New Haven Connecticut06511USA
- Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville Florida32611USA
| | - Corinne J. Kendall
- North Carolina Zoo Asheboro North Carolina27205USA
- North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina27607USA
| | - Christopher L. Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Yale University New Haven Connecticut06511USA
- Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville Florida32611USA
| | - Emma J. Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook New York12545USA
| | - David M. Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Yale University New Haven Connecticut06511USA
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9
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Ogata EM, Baker MA, Rosi EJ, Smart TB, Long D, Aanderud ZT. Nutrients and Pharmaceuticals Structure Bacterial Core Communities in Urban and Montane Stream Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:526545. [PMID: 33178141 PMCID: PMC7593328 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.526545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria in stream biofilms contribute to stream biogeochemical processes and are potentially sensitive to the substantial levels of pollution entering urban streams. To examine the effects of contaminants on stream biofilm bacteria in situ, we exposed growing biofilms to experimental additions of nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe)], pharmaceuticals (caffeine and diphenhydramine), nutrients plus pharmaceuticals, or no contaminants using contaminant exposure substrates (CES) in three catchments in northern Utah. We performed our study at montane and urban sites to examine the influence of existing pollution on biofilm response. We identified bacterial core communities (core) for each contaminant treatment at each land-use type (e.g., nutrient addition montane bacterial core, nutrient addition urban bacterial core, pharmaceutical addition montane bacterial core) by selecting all taxa found in at least 75% of the samples belonging to each specific grouping. Montane and urban land-use distinguished bacterial cores, while nutrients and pharmaceuticals had subtle, but nonetheless distinct effects. Nutrients enhanced the dominance of already abundant copiotrophs [i.e., Pseudomonadaceae (Gammaproteobacteria) and Comamonadaceae (Betaproteobacteria)] within bacterial cores at montane and urban sites. In contrast, pharmaceuticals fostered species-rich bacterial cores containing unique contaminant-degrading taxa within Pseudomonadaceae and Anaerolineaceae (Chloroflexi). Surprisingly, even at urban sites containing ambient pharmaceutical pollution, pharmaceutical additions increased bacterial core richness, specifically within DR-16 (Betaproteobacteria), WCHB1-32 (Bacteroidetes), and Leptotrichiaceae (Fusobacteria). Nutrients exerted greater selective force than pharmaceuticals in nutrient plus pharmaceutical addition treatments, creating bacterial cores more closely resembling those under nutrient rather than pharmaceutical addition, and promoting unique Oscillatoriales (Cyanobacteria) taxa in urban streams. Our results show that additions of N, P, and Fe intensified the dominance of already abundant copiotrophs, while additions of caffeine and diphenhydramine enabled unique taxa associated with contaminant degradation to participate in bacterial cores. Further, biofilm bacteria at urban sites remained sensitive to pharmaceuticals commonly present in waters, suggesting a dynamic interplay among pharmaceutical pollution, bacterial diversity, and contaminant degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Ogata
- Department of Biology and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Michelle A Baker
- Department of Biology and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, United States
| | - Trevor B Smart
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Donald Long
- Department of Biology, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, United States
| | - Zachary T Aanderud
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
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10
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Fischhoff IR, Huang T, Hamilton SK, Han BA, LaDeau SL, Ostfeld RS, Rosi EJ, Solomon CT. Parasite and pathogen effects on ecosystem processes: A quantitative review. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilya R. Fischhoff
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Tao Huang
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Stephen K. Hamilton
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Integrative Biology Michigan State University 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive Hickory Corners Michigan 49060 USA
| | - Barbara A. Han
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Shannon L. LaDeau
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Richard S. Ostfeld
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Emma J. Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 2801 Sharon Turnpike Millbrook New York 12545 USA
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11
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Entrekin SA, Rosi EJ, Tank JL, Hoellein TJ, Lamberti GA. Quantitative Food Webs Indicate Modest Increases in the Transfer of Allochthonous and Autochthonous C to Macroinvertebrates Following a Large Wood Addition to a Temperate Headwater Stream. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Pickett STA, Cadenasso ML, Baker ME, Band LE, Boone CG, Buckley GL, Groffman PM, Grove JM, Irwin EG, Kaushal SS, LaDeau SL, Miller AJ, Nilon CH, Romolini M, Rosi EJ, Swan CM, Szlavecz K. Theoretical Perspectives of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study: Conceptual Evolution in a Social-Ecological Research Project. Bioscience 2020; 70:297-314. [PMID: 32284630 PMCID: PMC7138672 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biz166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Earth's population will become more than 80% urban during this century. This threshold is often regarded as sufficient justification for pursuing urban ecology. However, pursuit has primarily focused on building empirical richness, and urban ecology theory is rarely discussed. The Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) has been grounded in theory since its inception and its two decades of data collection have stimulated progress toward comprehensive urban theory. Emerging urban ecology theory integrates biology, physical sciences, social sciences, and urban design, probes interdisciplinary frontiers while being founded on textbook disciplinary theories, and accommodates surprising empirical results. Theoretical growth in urban ecology has relied on refined frameworks, increased disciplinary scope, and longevity of interdisciplinary interactions. We describe the theories used by BES initially, and trace ongoing theoretical development that increasingly reflects the hybrid biological-physical-social nature of the Baltimore ecosystem. The specific mix of theories used in Baltimore likely will require modification when applied to other urban areas, but the developmental process, and the key results, will continue to benefit other urban social-ecological research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary L Cadenasso
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Matthew E Baker
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lawrence E Band
- Departments of Environmental Science and Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Christopher G Boone
- Professor and dean of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change and the Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | | | - Peter M Groffman
- City University of New York's Advanced Science Research Center, Graduate Center, New York, New York, and a senior fellow at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York
| | - J Morgan Grove
- Team leader with the USDA Forest Service, Baltimore Field Station, Northern Research Station, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elena G Irwin
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics and director of the Ohio State Sustainability Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | - Andrew J Miller
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles H Nilon
- School of Natural Resources, Fisheries, and Wildlife, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Michele Romolini
- Managing director of the Center for Urban Resilience, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook New York
| | - Christopher M Swan
- Department of Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Katalin Szlavecz
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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13
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Subalusky AL, Dutton CL, Rosi EJ, Puth LM, Post DM. A River of Bones: Wildebeest Skeletons Leave a Legacy of Mass Mortality in the Mara River, Kenya. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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14
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Almeida RM, Hamilton SK, Rosi EJ, Arantes JD, Barros N, Boemer G, Gripp A, Huszar VLM, Junger PC, Lima M, Pacheco F, Carvalho D, Reisinger AJ, Silva LHS, Roland F. Limnological effects of a large Amazonian run-of-river dam on the main river and drowned tributary valleys. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16846. [PMID: 31727931 PMCID: PMC6856549 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Run-of-river dams are often considered to have lower environmental impacts than storage dams due to their smaller reservoirs and low potential for flow alteration. However, this has been questioned for projects recently built on large rivers around the world. Two of the world's largest run-of-river dams-Santo Antônio and Jirau-were recently constructed on the Madeira River, a major tributary to the Amazon River in Brazil. Here we evaluate the effects of the creation of the Santo Antônio dam on the water chemistry and thermal structure of the Madeira River mainstem and back-flooded valleys of tributaries within the reservoir inundated area. In contrast to the mainstem river, some back-flooded tributaries periodically developed thermal stratification, which is associated with higher water residence times. Additionally, biochemical oxygen demand, partial pressure of CO2, and organic carbon all increased in the tributary valleys inundated by the reservoir, possibly due to increased input of allochthonous organic matter and its subsequent mineralization upon back-flooding-a common feature of newly flooded impoundments. The mainstem did not show detectable dam-related changes in water chemistry and thermal structure. Although the majority of the reservoir area maintained riverine conditions, the lateral valleys formed upon back-flooding-corresponding to ~30% of the Santo Antônio reservoir area-developed lake-like conditions akin to a typical reservoir of a storage dam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Almeida
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Stephen K Hamilton
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
| | | | - Nathan Barros
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Gina Boemer
- Ecology and Environment do Brasil Ltda., Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anderson Gripp
- Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vera L M Huszar
- National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pedro C Junger
- Department of Hydrobiology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Michele Lima
- Ecology and Environment do Brasil Ltda., Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe Pacheco
- Earth System Science Center, National Institute for Space Research, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lúcia H S Silva
- National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio Roland
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
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15
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Reisinger AJ, Doody TR, Groffman PM, Kaushal SS, Rosi EJ. Seeing the light: urban stream restoration affects stream metabolism and nitrate uptake via changes in canopy cover. Ecol Appl 2019; 29:e01941. [PMID: 31155778 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The continually increasing global population residing in urban landscapes impacts numerous ecosystem functions and services provided by urban streams. Urban stream restoration is often employed to offset these impacts and conserve or enhance the various functions and services these streams provide. Despite the assumption that "if you build it, [the function] will come," current understanding of the effects of urban stream restoration on stream ecosystem functions are based on short term studies that may not capture variation in restoration effectiveness over time. We quantified the impact of stream restoration on nutrient and energy dynamics of urban streams by studying 10 urban stream reaches (five restored, five unrestored) in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA, region over a two-year period. We measured gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at the whole-stream scale continuously throughout the study and nitrate (NO3- -N) spiraling rates seasonally (spring, summer, autumn) across all reaches. There was no significant restoration effect on NO3- -N spiraling across reaches. However, there was a significant canopy cover effect on NO3- -N spiraling, and directly comparing paired sets of unrestored-restored reaches showed that restoration does affect NO3- -N spiraling after accounting for other environmental variation. Furthermore, there was a change in GPP : ER seasonality, with restored and open-canopied reaches exhibiting higher GPP : ER during summer. The restoration effect, though, appears contingent upon altered canopy cover, which is likely to be a temporary effect of restoration and is a driver of multiple ecosystem services, e.g., habitat, riparian nutrient processing. Our results suggest that decision-making about stream restoration, including evaluations of nutrient benefits, clearly needs to consider spatial and temporal dynamics of canopy cover and trade-offs among multiple ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Reisinger
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA
| | - Thomas R Doody
- Department of Geology, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Peter M Groffman
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
- Brooklyn College Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, New York, New York, 10031, USA
| | - Sujay S Kaushal
- Department of Geology, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
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16
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Chamberlin CA, Bernhardt ES, Rosi EJ, Heffernan JB. Stoichiometry and daily rhythms: experimental evidence shows nutrient limitation decouples N uptake from photosynthesis. Ecology 2019; 100:e02822. [PMID: 31310322 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Diel variability in nutrient concentrations is common but not universal in aquatic ecosystems. Theoretical models of photoautotrophic systems attribute the absence of diel uptake variation to nutrient scarcity, such that diel variability in nutrient uptake disappears as nutrients become limiting. We tested this prediction in a mesocosm experiment, by exposing benthic algal communities to a range of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus concentrations and recording the rates of uptake during both day and night. We found that higher concentrations of N produced diel variability in uptake and that the difference between the day and night total mass uptakes approximately equaled N demand for observed primary production as seen in other studies. At lower concentrations of N, uptake rates during the day and night were indistinguishable. These results are the first empirical evidence to imply that diel nitrate patterns in streams and rivers indicate a release from N limitation and offer a new way to assess nutrient limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily S Bernhardt
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Science, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - James B Heffernan
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA
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17
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Shogren AJ, Tank JL, Rosi EJ, Dee MM, Speir SL, Bolster D, Egan SP. Transport and instream removal of the Cry1Ab protein from genetically engineered maize is mediated by biofilms in experimental streams. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216481. [PMID: 31095597 PMCID: PMC6522009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of maize planted in the US is genetically-engineered to express insecticidal properties, including Cry1Ab protein, which is designed to resist the European maize borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). After crop harvest, these proteins can be leached into adjacent streams from crop detritus left on fields. The environmental fate of Cry1Ab proteins in aquatic habitats is not well known. From June-November, we performed monthly short-term additions of leached Cry1Ab into four experimental streams with varying benthic substrate to estimate Cry1Ab transport and removal. At the start of the experiments, when rocks were bare, we found no evidence of Cry1Ab removal from the water column, but uptake steadily increased as biofilm colonized the stream substrate. Overall, Cry1Ab uptake was strongly predicted by measures of biofilm accumulation, including algal chlorophyll a and percent cover of filamentous algae. Average Cry1Ab uptake velocity (vf = 0.059 ± 0.009 mm s-1) was comparable to previously reported uptake of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC; mean vf = 0.04 ± 0.008 mm s-1). Although Cry1Ab has been shown to rapidly degrade in stream water, benthic biofilms may decrease the distance proteins are transported in lotic systems. These results emphasize that once the Cry1Ab protein is leached, subsequent detection and transport through agricultural waterways is dependent on the structure and biology of receiving stream ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arial J Shogren
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, United States of America
| | - Martha M Dee
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Shannon L Speir
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Diogo Bolster
- University of Notre Dame, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Scott P Egan
- Rice University, Department of BioSciences, George R. Brown Hall, Houston TX, United States of America
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18
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Dutton CL, Subalusky AL, Hill TD, Aleman JC, Rosi EJ, Onyango KB, Kanuni K, Cousins JA, Staver AC, Post DM. A 2000-year sediment record reveals rapidly changing sedimentation and land use since the 1960s in the Upper Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem. Sci Total Environ 2019; 664:148-160. [PMID: 30739850 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Mara River basin is a trans-boundary basin of international importance. It forms the headwaters of the Nile River and serves as the primary dry season water source for an estimated 1.1 million rural people and the largest remaining overland migration of 1.4 million wildebeest in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. Changes throughout the basin are impacting the quantity and quality of the Mara River, yet the historical context of environmental conditions in the basin is not well known. We collected sediment cores throughout the wetland at the mouth of the Mara River, and we used isotopic dating methods and a suite of analyses to examine historical patterns of sediment quantity and source, mercury contamination, and carbon and nutrient loading. Our results show that ecological conditions in the Mara River basin were fairly stable over paleoecological time scales (2000-1000 years before present), but there has been a period of rapid change in the basin over the last 250 years, particularly since the 1960s. A shift in the source and quantity of sediments in the river began in the late 1700s and became much more pronounced in the 1950s and 1960s, coincident with increasing mercury concentrations. The quantity of sediment from the Upper Mara increased, particularly since 1960, but the proportion of total sediment from this region decreased as the Talek and Middle Mara portions of the basin began producing more sediment. The decadal oscillation in sediment accumulation was congruent with known periods of extreme precipitation events. Carbon and nitrogen loading also increased since the 1960s, and the shift in the isotopic ratio of nitrogen provides evidence for increased anthropogenic loading. Altogether, these data likely reflect patterns of change also experienced in other basins throughout East Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Dutton
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 165 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Amanda L Subalusky
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | - Troy D Hill
- South Florida Natural Resources Center, National Park Service, 950 N. Krome Avenue, Homestead, FL 33030, USA
| | - Julie C Aleman
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 165 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | | | - Kanuni Kanuni
- WWF-Tanzania, Plot No. 350, Regent Estate Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jenny A Cousins
- WWF-UK, The Living Planet Centre, Rufford House, Brewery Rd, Woking GU21 4LL, UK
| | - A Carla Staver
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 165 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - David M Post
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 165 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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19
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Schoelynck J, Subalusky AL, Struyf E, Dutton CL, Unzué-Belmonte D, Van de Vijver B, Post DM, Rosi EJ, Meire P, Frings P. Hippos ( Hippopotamus amphibius): The animal silicon pump. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaav0395. [PMID: 31049394 PMCID: PMC6494503 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
While the importance of grasslands in terrestrial silicon (Si) cycling and fluxes to rivers is established, the influence of large grazers has not been considered. Here, we show that hippopotamuses are key actors in the savannah biogeochemical Si cycle. Through a detailed analysis of Si concentrations and stable isotope compositions in multiple ecosystem compartments of a savannah-river continuum, we constrain the processes influencing the Si flux. Hippos transport 0.4 metric tons of Si day-1 by foraging grass on land and directly egesting in the water. As such, they bypass complex retention processes in secondary soil Si pools. By balancing internal processes of dissolution and precipitation in the river sediment, we calculate that hippos affect up to 76% of the total Si flux. This can have a large impact on downstream lake ecosystems, where Si availability directly affects primary production in the diatom-dominated phytoplankton communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Schoelynck
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Amanda L Subalusky
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Eric Struyf
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Christopher L Dutton
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dácil Unzué-Belmonte
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Bart Van de Vijver
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Botanic Garden Meise, Nieuwelaan 38, 1860 Meise, Belgium
| | - David M Post
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, USA
| | - Patrick Meire
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Ecosystem Management Research Group, Universiteitsplein 1C, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Patrick Frings
- Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm, Sweden
- Section 3.3 Earth Surface Geochemistry, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, Germany
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20
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Marinos RE, Campbell JL, Driscoll CT, Likens GE, McDowell WH, Rosi EJ, Rustad LE, Bernhardt ES. Give and Take: A Watershed Acid Rain Mitigation Experiment Increases Baseflow Nitrogen Retention but Increases Stormflow Nitrogen Export. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:13155-13165. [PMID: 30379543 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b03553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In many temperate forested watersheds, hydrologic nitrogen export has declined substantially in recent decades, and many of these watersheds show enduring effects from historic acid deposition. A watershed acid remediation experiment in New Hampshire reversed many of these legacy effects of acid deposition and also increased watershed nitrogen export, suggesting that these two phenomena may be coupled. Here we examine stream nitrate dynamics in this watershed acid remediation experiment for indicators of nitrogen saturation in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Post-treatment, the (positive) slope of the relationship between nitrate concentration and discharge increased by a median of 82% ( p = 0.004). This resulted in greater flushing of nitrate during storm events, a key indicator of early stage nitrogen saturation. Hysteretic behavior of the concentration-discharge relationship indicated that the mobilization of soil nitrate pools was responsible for this increased flushing. In contrast to this evidence for nitrogen saturation in the terrestrial ecosystem, we found that nitrogen uptake increased, post-treatment, in the aquatic ecosystem, substantially attenuating growing-season nitrate flux by up to 71.1% ( p = 0.025). These results suggest that, as forests slowly recover from acid precipitation, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystem nitrogen balance may be substantially altered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Marinos
- Nicholas School of the Environment , Duke University , Durham North Carolina 27708 , United States
| | - John L Campbell
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station , Durham , New Hampshire 03824 , United States
| | | | - Gene E Likens
- University of Connecticut , Storrs , Connecticut 06269 , United States
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies , Millbrook , New York 12545 , United States
| | - William H McDowell
- University of New Hampshire , Durham , New Hampshire 03824 , United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies , Millbrook , New York 12545 , United States
| | - Lindsey E Rustad
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station , Durham , New Hampshire 03824 , United States
| | - Emily S Bernhardt
- Department of Biology , Duke University , Durham North Carolina 27708 , United States
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21
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Richmond EK, Rosi EJ, Walters DM, Fick J, Hamilton SK, Brodin T, Sundelin A, Grace MR. A diverse suite of pharmaceuticals contaminates stream and riparian food webs. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4491. [PMID: 30401828 PMCID: PMC6219508 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A multitude of biologically active pharmaceuticals contaminate surface waters globally, yet their presence in aquatic food webs remain largely unknown. Here, we show that over 60 pharmaceutical compounds can be detected in aquatic invertebrates and riparian spiders in six streams near Melbourne, Australia. Similar concentrations in aquatic invertebrate larvae and riparian predators suggest direct trophic transfer via emerging adult insects to riparian predators that consume them. As representative vertebrate predators feeding on aquatic invertebrates, platypus and brown trout could consume some drug classes such as antidepressants at as much as one-half of a recommended therapeutic dose for humans based on their estimated prey consumption rates, yet the consequences for fish and wildlife of this chronic exposure are unknown. Overall, this work highlights the potential exposure of aquatic and riparian biota to a diverse array of pharmaceuticals, resulting in exposures to some drugs that are comparable to human dosages. Pharmaceuticals are widespread contaminants in surface waters. Here, Richmond and colleagues show that dozens of pharmaceuticals accumulate in food chains of streams, including in predators in adjacent terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erinn K Richmond
- Water Studies Centre, School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA
| | - David M Walters
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA.,U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, 65201, USA
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
| | - Stephen K Hamilton
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA.,Kellogg Biological Station and Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, 49060, USA
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.,Department of Wildlife Fish, and Environmental Studies, SLU, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
| | - Anna Sundelin
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
| | - Michael R Grace
- Water Studies Centre, School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Almeida RM, Han BA, Reisinger AJ, Kagemann C, Rosi EJ. High mortality in aquatic predators of mosquito larvae caused by exposure to insect repellent. Biol Lett 2018; 14:rsbl.2018.0526. [PMID: 30381452 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the face of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, effective mosquito control is a primary goal for public health. Insect repellents, containing active compounds such as DEET and picaridin, are a first defence against biting insects. Owing to widespread use and incomplete sewage treatment, these compounds are frequently detected in surface waters, but their effects on aquatic taxa such as mosquito larvae or their naturally occurring aquatic predators are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of environmentally realistic concentrations of commercial products containing DEET and picaridin on survivorship of mosquito larvae, and their potential indirect effects on survival of larval salamanders, a major predator of mosquito larvae. Larval mosquitos were not affected by exposure to repellents containing DEET or picaridin. We found no larval salamander mortality in control and DEET treatments, but mortality rates in picaridin treatments ranged from 45 to 65% after 25 days of exposure. Salamander larvae exposed to repellents containing picaridin began to display tail deformities and impaired development four days after the experiment began. Our findings suggest the possibility that environmentally realistic concentrations of picaridin-containing repellents in surface waters may increase the abundance of adult mosquitos owing to decreased predation pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael M Almeida
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036-900, Brazil .,Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | - Barbara A Han
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
| | - Alexander J Reisinger
- Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | | | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
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23
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Subalusky AL, Dutton CL, Njoroge L, Rosi EJ, Post DM. Organic matter and nutrient inputs from large wildlife influence ecosystem function in the Mara River, Africa. Ecology 2018; 99:2558-2574. [PMID: 30179253 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Animals can be important vectors for the movement of resources across ecosystem boundaries. Animals add resources to ecosystems primarily through egestion, excretion, and carcasses, and the stoichiometry and bioavailability of these inputs likely interact with characteristics of the recipient ecosystem to determine their effects on ecosystem function. We studied the influence of hippopotamus excretion/egestion and wildebeest carcasses, and their interactions with discharge, in the Mara River, Kenya. We measured nutrient dissolution and decomposition rates of wildlife inputs, the influence of inputs on nutrient concentrations and nutrient limitation in the river and the influence of inputs on biofilm growth and function in both experimental streams and along a gradient of inputs in the river. We found that hippopotamus excretion/egestion increases ammonium and coarse particulate organic matter in the river, and wildebeest carcasses increase ammonium, soluble reactive phosphorus, and total phosphorus. Concentrations of dissolved carbon and nutrients in the water column increased along a gradient of wildlife inputs and during low discharge, although concentrations of particulate carbon decreased during low discharge due to deposition on the river bottom. Autotrophs were nitrogen limited and heterotrophs were carbon limited and nitrogen and phosphorus colimited upstream of animal inputs but there was no nutrient limitation downstream of inputs. In experimental streams, hippo and wildebeest inputs together increased biofilm gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R). These results differed in the river, where low concentrations of hippo inputs increased gross primary production (GPP) and respiration (R) of biofilms, but high concentrations of hippo inputs in conjunction with wildebeest inputs decreased GPP. Our research shows that inputs from large wildlife alleviate nutrient limitation and stimulate ecosystem metabolism in the Mara River and that the extent to which these inputs subsidize the ecosystem is mediated by the quantity and quality of inputs and discharge of the river ecosystem. Thus, animal inputs provide an important ecological subsidy to this river, and animal inputs were likely important in many other rivers prior to the widespread extirpation of large wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA.,Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - Christopher L Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA
| | - Laban Njoroge
- Invertebrate Zoology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - David M Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511, USA
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24
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Shogren AJ, Tank JL, Egan SP, August O, Rosi EJ, Hanrahan BR, Renshaw MA, Gantz CA, Bolster D. Water Flow and Biofilm Cover Influence Environmental DNA Detection in Recirculating Streams. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:8530-8537. [PMID: 29995389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for determination of species presence in aquatic ecosystems is an invaluable technique for both ecology as a field and for the management of aquatic ecosystems. We examined the degradation dynamics of fish eDNA using an experimental array of recirculating streams, also using a "nested" primer assay to estimate degradation among eDNA fragment sizes. We introduced eDNA into streams with a range of water velocities (0.1-0.8 m s-1) and substrate biofilm coverage (0-100%) and monitored eDNA concentrations over time (∼10 d) to assess how biophysical conditions influence eDNA persistence. We found that the presence of biofilm significantly increased initial decay rates relative to previous studies conducted in nonflowing microcosms, suggesting important differences in detection and persistence in lentic vs lotic systems. Lastly, by using a nested primer assay that targeted different size eDNA fragments, we found that fragment size altered both the estimated rate constant coefficients, as well as eDNA detectability over time. Larger fragments (>600 bp) were quickly degraded, while shorter fragments (<100 bp) remained detectable for the entirety of the experiment. When using eDNA as a stream monitoring tool, understanding environmental factors controlling eDNA degradation will be critical for optimizing eDNA sampling strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arial J Shogren
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Scott P Egan
- Biosciences Department , Rice University , Houston , Texas 77251 , United States
| | - Olivia August
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook , New York 12545 , United States
| | - Brittany R Hanrahan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Mark A Renshaw
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Crysta A Gantz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Change Initiative , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46656 , United States
| | - Diogo Bolster
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences , University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame , Indiana 46556 , United States
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25
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Dutton CL, Subalusky AL, Hamilton SK, Rosi EJ, Post DM. Organic matter loading by hippopotami causes subsidy overload resulting in downstream hypoxia and fish kills. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1951. [PMID: 29769538 PMCID: PMC5956076 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04391-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic matter and nutrient loading into aquatic ecosystems affects ecosystem structure and function and can result in eutrophication and hypoxia. Hypoxia is often attributed to anthropogenic pollution and is not common in unpolluted rivers. Here we show that organic matter loading from hippopotami causes the repeated occurrence of hypoxia in the Mara River, East Africa. We documented 49 high flow events over 3 years that caused dissolved oxygen decreases, including 13 events resulting in hypoxia, and 9 fish kills over 5 years. Evidence from experiments and modeling demonstrates a strong mechanistic link between the flushing of hippo pools and decreased dissolved oxygen in the river. This phenomenon may have been more widespread throughout Africa before hippopotamus populations were severely reduced. Frequent hypoxia may be a natural part of tropical river ecosystem function, particularly in rivers impacted by large wildlife. Hypoxic (low oxygen) water conditions are generally thought to be uncommon in rivers and result from human impacts. However, Dutton and colleagues show here that waste from hippos in the Mara River contributes to frequent hypoxic events, suggesting hypoxia is a natural aspect of this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | | | - Stephen K Hamilton
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, 3700 E. Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, MI, 49060, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA
| | - David M Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
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26
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Dutton CL, Subalusky AL, Anisfeld SC, Njoroge L, Rosi EJ, Post DM. The influence of a semi-arid sub-catchment on suspended sediments in the Mara River, Kenya. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192828. [PMID: 29420624 PMCID: PMC5805331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mara River Basin in East Africa is a trans-boundary basin of international significance experiencing excessive levels of sediment loads. Sediment levels in this river are extremely high (turbidities as high as 6,000 NTU) and appear to be increasing over time. Large wildlife populations, unregulated livestock grazing, and agricultural land conversion are all potential factors increasing sediment loads in the semi-arid portion of the basin. The basin is well-known for its annual wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) migration of approximately 1.3 million individuals, but it also has a growing population of hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius), which reside within the river and may contribute to the flux of suspended sediments. We used in situ pressure transducers and turbidity sensors to quantify the sediment flux at two sites for the Mara River and investigate the origin of riverine suspended sediment. We found that the combined Middle Mara-Talek catchment, a relatively flat but semi-arid region with large populations of wildlife and domestic cattle, is responsible for 2/3 of the sediment flux. The sediment yield from the combined Middle Mara-Talek catchment is approximately the same as the headwaters, despite receiving less rainfall. There was high monthly variability in suspended sediment fluxes. Although hippopotamus pools are not a major source of suspended sediments under baseflow, they do contribute to short-term variability in suspended sediments. This research identified sources of suspended sediments in the Mara River and important regions of the catchment to target for conservation, and suggests hippopotami may influence riverine sediment dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amanda L. Subalusky
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
| | - Shimon C. Anisfeld
- School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Laban Njoroge
- Invertebrate Zoology Section, The National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emma J. Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, United States of America
| | - David M. Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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Norman BC, Whiles MR, Collins SM, Flecker AS, Hamilton SK, Johnson SL, Rosi EJ, Ashkenas LR, Bowden WB, Crenshaw CL, Crowl T, Dodds WK, Hall RO, El-Sabaawi R, Griffiths NA, Marti E, McDowell WH, Peterson SD, Rantala HM, Riis T, Simon KS, Tank JL, Thomas SA, von Schiller D, Webster JR. Drivers of nitrogen transfer in stream food webs across continents. Ecology 2017; 98:3044-3055. [PMID: 28881008 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Studies of trophic-level material and energy transfers are central to ecology. The use of isotopic tracers has now made it possible to measure trophic transfer efficiencies of important nutrients and to better understand how these materials move through food webs. We analyzed data from thirteen 15 N-ammonium tracer addition experiments to quantify N transfer from basal resources to animals in headwater streams with varying physical, chemical, and biological features. N transfer efficiencies from primary uptake compartments (PUCs; heterotrophic microorganisms and primary producers) to primary consumers was lower (mean 11.5%, range <1% to 43%) than N transfer efficiencies from primary consumers to predators (mean 80%, range 5% to >100%). Total N transferred (as a rate) was greater in streams with open compared to closed canopies and overall N transfer efficiency generally followed a similar pattern, although was not statistically significant. We used principal component analysis to condense a suite of site characteristics into two environmental components. Total N uptake rates among trophic levels were best predicted by the component that was correlated with latitude, DIN:SRP, GPP:ER, and percent canopy cover. N transfer efficiency did not respond consistently to environmental variables. Our results suggest that canopy cover influences N movement through stream food webs because light availability and primary production facilitate N transfer to higher trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth C Norman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, USA
| | - Matt R Whiles
- Department of Zoology, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, and Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901, USA
| | - Sarah M Collins
- Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Alexander S Flecker
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA
| | - Steve K Hamilton
- Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, Michigan, 49060, USA
| | - Sherri L Johnson
- USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, 12545, USA
| | - Linda R Ashkenas
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - William B Bowden
- Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, 303D Aiken Center, Burlington, Vermont, 05405, USA
| | - Chelsea L Crenshaw
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, USA
| | - Todd Crowl
- Southeast Environmental Research Center and Department of Biology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33199, USA
| | - Walter K Dodds
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506, USA
| | - Robert O Hall
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, 82071, USA
| | - Rana El-Sabaawi
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Natalie A Griffiths
- Climate Change Science Institute & Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37831, USA
| | - Eugènia Marti
- Freshwater Integrative Ecology Group, Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
| | - William H McDowell
- Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, 03824, USA
| | - Scot D Peterson
- Watershed Studies Institute, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky, 42071, USA
| | - Heidi M Rantala
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155, USA
| | - Tenna Riis
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Kevin S Simon
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46656, USA
| | - Steven A Thomas
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68583, USA
| | - Daniel von Schiller
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, 48080, Spain
| | - Jackson R Webster
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
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28
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Griffiths NA, Tank JL, Royer TV, Rosi EJ, Shogren AJ, Frauendorf TC, Whiles MR. Occurrence, leaching, and degradation of Cry1Ab protein from transgenic maize detritus in agricultural streams. Sci Total Environ 2017; 592:97-105. [PMID: 28314135 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The insecticidal Cry1Ab protein expressed by transgenic (Bt) maize can enter adjacent water bodies via multiple pathways, but its fate in stream ecosystems is not as well studied as in terrestrial systems. In this study, we used a combination of field sampling and laboratory experiments to examine the occurrence, leaching, and degradation of soluble Cry1Ab protein derived from Bt maize in agricultural streams. We surveyed 11 agricultural streams in northwestern Indiana, USA, on 6 dates that encompassed the growing season, crop harvest, and snowmelt/spring flooding, and detected Cry1Ab protein in the water column and in flowing subsurface tile drains at concentrations of 3-60ng/L. In a series of laboratory experiments, submerged Bt maize leaves leached Cry1Ab into stream water with 1% of the protein remaining in leaves after 70d. Laboratory experiments suggested that dissolved Cry1Ab protein degraded rapidly in microcosms containing water-column microorganisms, and light did not enhance breakdown by stimulating assimilatory uptake of the protein by autotrophs. The common detection of Cry1Ab protein in streams sampled across an agricultural landscape, combined with laboratory studies showing rapid leaching and degradation, suggests that Cry1Ab may be pseudo-persistent at the watershed scale due to the multiple input pathways from the surrounding terrestrial environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie A Griffiths
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
| | - Jennifer L Tank
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Todd V Royer
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 1315 East Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
| | - Arial J Shogren
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Therese C Frauendorf
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Matt R Whiles
- Department of Zoology and Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6501, USA
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Subalusky AL, Dutton CL, Rosi EJ, Post DM. Annual mass drownings of the Serengeti wildebeest migration influence nutrient cycling and storage in the Mara River. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:7647-7652. [PMID: 28630330 PMCID: PMC5530641 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1614778114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The annual migration of ∼1.2 million wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) through the Serengeti Mara Ecosystem is the largest remaining overland migration in the world. One of the most iconic portions of their migration is crossing of the Mara River, during which thousands drown annually. These mass drownings have been noted, but their frequency, size, and impact on aquatic ecosystems have not been quantified. Here, we estimate the frequency and size of mass drownings in the Mara River and model the fate of carcass nutrients through the river ecosystem. Mass drownings (>100 individuals) occurred in at least 13 of the past 15 y; on average, 6,250 carcasses and 1,100 tons of biomass enter the river each year. Half of a wildebeest carcass dry mass is bone, which takes 7 y to decompose, thus acting as a long-term source of nutrients to the Mara River. Carcass soft tissue decomposes in 2-10 wk, and these nutrients are mineralized by consumers, assimilated by biofilms, transported downstream, or moved back into the terrestrial ecosystem by scavengers. These inputs comprise 34-50% of the assimilated diet of fish when carcasses are present and 7-24% via biofilm on bones after soft tissue decomposition. Our results show a terrestrial animal migration can have large impacts on a river ecosystem, which may influence nutrient cycling and river food webs at decadal time scales. Similar mass drownings may have played an important role in rivers throughout the world when large migratory herds were more common features of the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Subalusky
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511;
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545
| | - Christopher L Dutton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545
| | - Emma J Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY 12545
| | - David M Post
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511
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30
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Reisinger AJ, Rosi EJ, Bechtold HA, Doody TR, Kaushal SS, Groffman PM. Recovery and resilience of urban stream metabolism following Superstorm Sandy and other floods. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma J. Rosi
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook New York 12545 USA
| | - Heather A. Bechtold
- Department of Biological Sciences Lock Haven University Lock Haven Pennsylvania 17745 USA
| | - Thomas R. Doody
- Department of Geology Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742 USA
| | - Sujay S. Kaushal
- Department of Geology Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center University of Maryland College Park Maryland 20742 USA
| | - Peter M. Groffman
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Millbrook New York 12545 USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Brooklyn College City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center New York New York 10031 USA
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