Finding appropriate reference sites in large-scale aquatic field experiments |
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Authors: | Susanne I Schmidt Marie König-Rinke Katja Kornek Carola Winkelmann Markus A Wetzel Jochen H E Koop Jürgen Benndorf |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Animal Ecology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, 56068, Germany;(2) Institute of Hydrobiology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, 01062, Germany |
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Abstract: | Defining the reference condition is one of the most critical aspects of ecosystem investigations since it describes the baseline
against which the experimental sites will be evaluated and compared. In large-scale ecosystem experiments, this reference
is ideally another ecosystem which is similar to the experimental system. We investigated two streams for their potential
as experimental sites for a full-size pairwise ecosystem experiment. Temporal (2 years) and spatial (pool, riffle) variabilities
of abiotic factors and as biotic element the structure of the macroinvertebrate communities were investigated. Criteria of
similarity that we applied at the two streams were: (1) high similarity in abiotic factors, (2) only small differences in
the faunal assemblages (abundance structures, composition, feeding types), and (3) that the differences between the two systems
should not exceed the temporal and spatial differences within each system. Among the abiotic factors investigated, only the
inorganic nutrients (nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus), major ions (magnesium, calcium), electric conductivity, and
pH showed significant differences between the two streams. Discharge rate, current velocity, temperature, and oxygen concentrations
did not significantly differ between the streams. Also, the community structure did not differ in species richness, abundance,
and biomass; and only small differences in dominance structure and feeding-type composition were observed. The differences
between habitats within each stream were always higher than those between the streams. Thus, both the streams are characterized
by a similar structure of the macroinvertebrate community, a main component of the stream food-web, which make them suitable
for a full size pairwise ecosystem experiment. The present case study can form a basis for other full-size field experiments. |
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Keywords: | Experimental design Field study Macrozoobenthos Fish Similarity Stream ecology |
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