Climatic change and hydrophyte-dominated communities in inland wetland ecosystems

Thoughts about the potential effects of climatic change due to greenhouse warming on hydrophytes and hydrophyte communities in inland still waters of Europe are presented. A distinction is made between permanent and temporary shallow aquatic ecosystems and between freshwater and brackish systems. Potential effects of greenhouse warming on the hydrology and salinity of isolated brackish waters are illustrated with a computer model, simulating several scenario's of climatic change and differently shaped waters.In permanent waters, greenhouse warming may result in an earlier onset of growth of those hydrophytes in which the germination of propagules and the resumption of growth is primarily controlled by temperature. This may occur at the cost of macrophytes that have dormancy mechanisms regulated by environmental cues other than temperature (e.g. photoperiod). In addition, it seems plausible that because of milder winters, some thermophilous aquatic plants spread to the north. Furthermore, in culturally eutrophicated waters, in which the sediment compartment is heavily loaded with organic matter and/or nutrients, a rise in temperature may accelerate nutrient turn-over for several years, resulting in algal blooms and shifts in quality and quantity of macrophyte vegetation.Effects of greenhouse warming on temporary shallow waters will be more complex. Changes in temperature, precipitation and evaporation may lead to larger seasonal fluctuations in the water table and a more frequent or more prolonged period of desiccation. Some hydrophytes can cope with these circumstances, while others withstand desiccation only for a short period. Macrophyte communities may also be affected in an indirect way by periodic desiccation of their habitats. In emerged bottoms the rate of mineralization is probably higher than when overlying water is present. When water returns, a pulse of mineral nutrients may temporarily result in algal blooms and a high turbidity of the water, thus hampering hydrophyte growth. In addition, in isolated brackish waters an increased evaporation may result in larger fluctuations in salinity. In such a harsh environment species diversity of aquatic macrophytes will most probably decline.     

Effects of salinity gradients on benthic invertebrate and diatom communities in a German lowland river

The Lippe is a lowland river located in the Western part of Germany and has been heavily impacted by coal mining activities ever since. Although mining activities significantly decreased during the last decades, the associated discharge of salt-enriched mine water into the river still poses a persistent threat to the local benthic invertebrate and diatom communities. To analyze the effect of salt pollution on invertebrate and diatom species, biological and chemical data were compiled for this study from a publicly available database. Changes in the community composition due to increased salt concentrations were explored by Non-Metrical-Multidimensional Scaling. Indicator species and salinity thresholds for single species and communities were identified using the method TITAN (Threshold Indicator Taxa Analysis). The method is an analytical approach to detect changes in frequency and abundance of species along an environmental gradient by combining the methods of change point analysis (nCPA) and indicator species analysis. The obtained salinity preferences and individual and community thresholds were compared to the literature and existing salinity classifications. For both diatoms and benthic invertebrates, Non-Metrical-Multidimensional Scaling showed a clear split between samples of high and low salinities. Significant salinity thresholds were determined for 50 invertebrate and 58 diatom species of which 23 respectively 18 species were described as ‘reliable’ indicators according to the specifications given by Baker and King (2010). A majority of salt-tolerant indicator organisms were invasive species. For both organism groups, major changes in community composition were detected at a conductivity value exceeding 900 μS/cm. A reduction of the average salinity to below this threshold may have positive effects on the overall species richness and the persistence of sensitive taxa in the river Lippe. Individual and community thresholds may however be data-dependent to a certain degree and subjected to fluctuations considering the potential interdependencies between salinity and additional physico-chemical and environmental parameters (e.g. water temperature, lime content).     

Co-development of wetland soils and benthic invertebrate communities following salt marsh creation

The development of wetland soil characteristics andbenthic invertebrate communities were evaluated increated Spartina alterniflorasalt marshes inNorth Carolina ranging in age from 1 to 25 years-old.A combination of measurements from different-agecreated marshes as well as periodic measurements overtime on two marshes were used to (1) document rates ofwetland pedogenesis, especially soil organic matter,and, (2) explore relationships between soil andbenthic invertebrate community development. Soilmacro-organic matter (MOM, the living and dead rootand rhizome mat), organic C and N increased and bulkdensity decreased during the 25 years following marshestablishment. The most dramatic changes in bulkdensity, MOM, C and N occurred within the upper 10 cmof the soil with lesser changes below this depth.Created marshes were sinks for organic C (90–140g·m^-2·yr^-1) and N (7–11g·m^-2·yr^-1) but not for P (0–1g·m^-2·yr^-1). The density of benthicinvertebrates (>250 m) and subsurface-depositfeeding oligochaetes also increased over time oncreated salt marshes. Invertebrate and oligochaetedensity were strongly related to MOM content(r²= 0.83–0.87) and soil organic C(r²= 0.52–0.82) and N (r²= 0.62–0.84). Thesefindings suggest that, in created salt marshes,development of the benthic invertebrate community istied to marsh soil formation, especially accumulationof organic matter as MOM and soil. Field studies thatmanipulate the quantity and quality of soil organicmatter are needed to elucidate the relationshipbetween salt marsh pedogenesis and benthicinvertebrate community development.     

Persistence and stability of lotic invertebrate communities in New Zealand

1. Persistence and stability of lotic invertebrate communities were determined at an annual time scale over a 9‐year period (1990–98) at 26 river sites over the northern half of New Zealand. In addition, a number of water quality variables were measured monthly and flow information collected continuously over the same period at each site. 2. The aim of the study was to describe the levels of interannual variability in invertebrate communities, and relate community changes to variability in environmental conditions. The consequences of this temporal variability for the sensitivity of predictive models were also investigated. 3. Levels of change in environmental conditions varied significantly between years, but were relatively similar across sites. In contrast, community persistence (similarity between years in species assemblage composition), and stability (similarity between years with respect to relative abundance of species in the community) both varied significantly between sites, but changes between years were similar. Community stability was highest at sites with relatively harsh flow conditions (high coefficient of variation, high relative size of floods), and was also greater in communities dominated by Ephemeroptera. 4. Relationships between change in environmental conditions and changes in community composition and structure were relatively weak for most individual sites. However, when average levels of change for each of the 26 sites were used, communities showed greater persistence under conditions where flow conditions remained relatively constant. Water quality changes had no significant effect on community persistence when assessed for all 26 sites combined. 5. Results from this study suggest that lotic invertebrate communities fluctuate around a relatively stable state, at least over a 9‐year period. However, the extent of interannual variation in community composition and structure observed, along with the relatively low degree of cluster fidelity observed within a single region, suggests that predictive models based on reference site conditions extrapolated over several years should be applied with caution in New Zealand streams.     

Influences of aquatic macrophytes on invertebrate community structure,guild structure,and microdistribution in streams

The aquatic macrophytes Ranunculus aquatilis and Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum were transplanted into substrate trays and placed in a stream alongside unvegetated substrate. Macrophytes were observed to have significant effects on 1) invertebrate community structure, 2) guild structure, and 3) microdistribution. 1) Significantly higher taxa richness and community abundances were associated with macrophytes. 2) Significantly higher abundances of shredder, scraper, and predator guilds were associated with macrophytes in fall, and all guilds had higher abundances in macrophytes in spring. However, guild frequency distributions did not differ among habitats except in spring. 3) Enallagma, Gammarus, Gyraulus, Physa, and Pisidium exhibited a strong association with macrophytes, while Hydropsyche, Simulium, Baetis tricaudatus, Glossosoma velona, and Helicopsyche borealis appeared to avoid them. A strong correlation appeared to exist between current velocity preferences of these taxa and their selection or avoidance of vegetated habitat. Thus, the effect of macrophytes in reducing current velocities appeared to be the most important influence on invertebrate microdistribution. However, macrophytes also increase physical heterogeneity and their large surface areas benefit invertebrate community abundances by creating additional living spaces in the water column where none exist above unvegetated substrate.     

Biota of Lake St. Clair: habitat evaluation and environmental assessment

As a shallow, productive lake in the drainage system between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair provides habitat for a diverse biota including significant populations of fish and wildlife that are of use to man. Of the more than 70 species of native and migrant fishes, 43 use the lake for spawning. Peak numbers of waterfowl utilizing the lake and adjoining wetlands have been estimated at 60 000 in spring and 150 000 in autumn. In addition to recreational fishing and hunting, the lake is also used for swimming, boating and as a source of municipal water. It is located downstream from an industrial centre and adjacent to a population estimated at about four million. Mercury contamination closed the fisheries in 1970 and concentrations of the metal persist above consumption guidelines in some species. Almost all of the Michigan shoreline is urbanized and much of it altered through dyking and bulkheading. Coastal wetlands of the lake have declined 41 percent in the past century and only about one-half of the remaining area is open to the lake.Despite impacts from the large urban population and users, ecosystem quality remains reasonably good. The flushing action of relatively clean water from Lake Huron has slowed the eutrophication process. Major habitat problems are toxic substances from industries located on the St. Clair River and the continued loss of shoreline and wetlands to urbanization and agriculture. Further research and monitoring of sources, fates and impacts of toxic substances in sediments and biota are required. In addition, there is a need for environmental and economic evaluations of shorelines and wetlands to prevent further losses of these important habitats.Contribution No. 90-16 of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Research Section, Fisheries Branch, Box 5000, Maple, Ontario.     

Effects of small-bodied fish on invertebrate prey and foraging patterns of waterbirds in Aspen Parkland wetlands

Competition between large-bodied fish and waterbirds for aquatic invertebrates is well documented in oligotrophic lakes. Recent evidence suggests that small-bodied fish that colonize eutrophic, hypoxia-prone wetlands such as prairie potholes can also reduce aquatic invertebrates, but the effects of these reductions on breeding waterbirds have so far not been directly documented. We added brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) to a fishless wetland in Aspen Parkland potholes in central Alberta, Canada. We monitored invertebrate biomasses and the foraging effort of blue-winged teal (Anas discors) and red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena) before and after the addition, relative to reference wetlands with and without fish. Fish reduced the biomass of gastropod prey of blue-winged teal, and teals increased foraging effort when fish were added. When the fish failed to overwinter due to hypoxic conditions, gastropod biomass increased, but teal foraging effort did not return to pre-treatment levels. Amphipods and chironomids increased following fish addition, possibly due to indirect positive effects of fish. Red-necked grebes did not exhibit any changes in foraging effort as a result of the fish addition or the subsequent fish extirpation. Grebes in Aspen Parkland appear to treat fish and invertebrates as equivalent prey. This study suggests that small-bodied fish in eutrophic systems can reduce some important invertebrate prey and change foraging behaviour of blue-winged teal and other waterbirds that rely on those invertebrates. Land-use practices that encourage survival of colonizing fish through drought years in Aspen Parkland wetlands, such as wetland consolidation, should not be encouraged.     

The responses of littoral invertebrates to eutrophication-linked changes in plant communities

The decay of submerged macrophytes in lakes of high trophic level drastically limits the extent of habitat available to littoral invertebrates. The loss can be partially compensated by growth of filamentous algae. Our results show that macroinvertebrates typically associated with submerged macrophytes as well as planktonic crustaceans and rotifers occurred within algal mats at high densities.Aggregations of filamentous algae are usually short-term, with frequent appearances and disappearances. The rate of colonization of algal mats by invertebrates is rapid. In locations with a high degree of water exchange, animals colonize both living and decomposing algal mats at a similar rate, but in sheltered habitats, decomposing filamentous algae are colonized by a smaller number of animals.Comparison was made between the occurrence of invertebrate macrofauna on Chara spp., Potamogeton perfoliatus, P. lucens and Myriophyllum spicatum in several lakes. Although these macrophytes differ visibly in morphology and phenology, the number and composition of macroinvertebrates during summer was associated more closely with trophic state of a lake than with plant species.     

Patch- and reach-scale dynamics of a macrophyte-invertebrate system in a New Zealand lowland stream

Abundant growths of macrophytes are a common feature of streams in open lowland areas of New Zealand during summer, but the values of these to aquatic biota are poorly understood. We studied the temporal dynamics of, and associations amongst, elements of a macrophyte-invertebrate system to provide an improved information base for lowland stream management. The biomass of macrophytes increased significantly over the four quarterly sampling occasions from 43.8 g m^-2 in June to 370.8 g m^-2 in March; biomass was dominated by Egeria densa on all dates, except in December when Potamogeton crispus was dominant. We did not detect strong associations between epiphyton biomass and invertebrate abundance in our study, but this may reflect the fact that we sampled loosely-adhering epiphyton on young, surface-reaching shoots whereas invertebrates were collected from macrophytes growing through the water column. Density of some invertebrate species per gram dry weight of plant material varied by macrophyte type, with the chironomids Tanytarsus vespertinus and Naonella forsythi displaying positive correlations with Egeria and Potamogeton biomass, respectively. The shrimp Paratya curvirostris accounted for 50% of phytophilous invertebrate biomass, with Chironomidae the only other group to comprise more than 9%. Abundance of total phytophilous invertebrates displayed a positive linear relationship with macrophyte biomass in a sample (0.1 m²), and a humped relationship with species richness, such that highest numbers of taxa occurred at macrophyte biomass levels around 400 g dw m^-2. Our study suggests that intermediate macrophyte biomass levels are likely to enhance macroinvertebrate biodiversity in sandy-bottomed lowland streams. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effect of drought on benthic invertebrate communities in a lowland river

Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled at regular intervals from rural and urban sections of the River Roding, Essex, England, in 1975 and 1976. During the latter year a severe drought led to a marked decline in flows and to desiccation of parts of the river bed. In general, drought conditions resulted in an increase in invertebrate populations and possible reasons for this are presented. A considerable number of individuals of certain groups such as cased caddisfly larvae and prosobranch molluscs were, however, eliminated from the river at this time, mainly as a result of stranding and chemical changes in the environment. The effect of reduced flows on river faunas is briefly discussed.     

The role of historic and climatic factors in the distribution of crustacean communities in Iberian Mediterranean ponds

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三江平原典型沼泽湿地螺类组成生态指示

螺类作为湿地的重要生物类群,对环境变化响应敏感,这使得螺类成为潜在的环境指示物种。为了研究中国东北沼泽湿地不同类型湿地螺类群落结构的差异以及螺类作为不同类型湿地指示物种的可能,在2014年9月和2015年5月对小叶章沼泽化草甸湿地、臌囊苔草湿地、毛苔草湿地、漂筏苔草湿地共17个采样点进行螺类样品采集。共采集到了螺类8科13属17种4452个。研究表明,螺类以扁卷螺科Planorbidae、椎实螺科Lymnaeidae、膀胱螺科Physidae为主;4种不同类型湿地螺的种类组成不同,这些螺类的种类组成与不同类型湿地的水深、植物类型组成等湿地特征是相对应。螺类的生物多样性指数(ShannonWiener指数和Marglef指数)在不同类型湿地之间也存在一定差异,筛选了指示螺类6种,无褶螺是小叶章沼泽化草甸的指示物种,小土蜗、半球多脉扁螺和虹蛹螺是臌囊苔草湿地的指示物种,琥珀螺是毛苔草湿地的指示物种,平盘螺是漂筏苔草湿地的指示物种,这表明了螺类是沼泽湿地类型的重要指示生物。也为螺类生物多样性资源的保护、恢复和生态评价提供科学依据和资料积累。     

Biodiversity under rocks: the role of microhabitats in structuring invertebrate communities in Brazilian outcrops

There is little knowledge on the factors that can structure communities of tropical arthropods that live under rocks (lapidicolous communities). Using 28 rock shelters in a small granitic outcrop, we examined the relations among area, inclination, organic matter content, substrate moisture and distance from the border of the outcrop and richness and diversity of the communities. In total, we collected 1216 individuals from 106 morphospecies of Araneida, Acarina, Polyxenida, Spirostreptida, Dermaptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Dictyoptera, Psocoptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Embioptera, Homoptera, Isoptera, Heteroptera, Lepidoptera, Collembola, Nematoda and Oligochaeta. The richness and diversity of the lapidicolous communities were significantly correlated with area, inclination and distance from the edge of the outcrop in the dry season. The richness and diversity of lapidicolous communities were significantly correlated with organic matter, substrate moisture and area in the rainy season. Space availability seemed to be an important structuring factor for lapidicolous communities in the present study, the most significant variables (substrate moisture and organic matter) were related to shelter area.     

Multivariate pattern analysis of wetland invertebrate communities and environmental variables in Western Australia

Abstract Macro-invertebrates, zooplankton and water quality variables were sampled at 33 wetlands near Perth, Western Australia, in January-February 1989. Wetlands were classified and ordinated using the invertebrate data. Correlations of environmental variables with the ordination were calculated and the importance of seasonality and geomorphology of the wetlands were investigated. The wetlands were also classified and ordinated using the chemical data. Analysis of variance was used to compare species richness, abundances of all invertebrates, macro-invertebrates, copepods and total phosphorus levels among groups. Six groups of wetlands were identified from the invertebrate data, two of which were outliers on the basis of very low pH and high salinity, respectively. The majority of the wetlands grouped on the basis of their degree of nutrient enrichment and colour. The analyses of chemical data gave similar groups. The coloured wetlands and least nutrient enriched non-coloured wetlands were identified as being closest to the probable state of wetlands prior to European settlement. The greatest numbers of rare species were found in wetlands from these two groups. Species richness was significantly higher in the moderately enriched wetlands than in any other group but decreased in the most enriched wetlands where abundances of invertebrates were highest. Changes in community composition among the groups of wetlands are discussed. The most highly nutrient enriched wetlands were dominated by cosmopolitan species with high abundances, whereas less enriched and coloured wetlands had species with more restricted distributions and lower abundances.     

A potential role for overland dispersal in shaping aquatic invertebrate communities in arid regions

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Association between phosphorus and suspended solids in an Everglades treatment wetland dominated by submersed aquatic vegetation

Restoration of the Everglades requires reduction of total phosphorus (TP) in the influent run-off from the Everglades agricultural area (EAA). The Everglades nutrient removal project tested phosphorus (P) - removal efficiencies of several treatment wetland cells. The best TP reduction has occurred within the submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) - dominated treatment Cell 4. A significant proportion of the P reduction in Cell 4 over several years has been in the form of particulate P (PP). This study was conducted to (i) determine and compare the components of suspended solids in the Cell 4 influent and effluent waters, and (ii) investigate associations between PP and individual particulate components. Identification and quantification of components were accomplished using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray elemental analysis. The dominant particulate components in the Cell 4 water column are organic matter (OM), biogenic Si (predominantly diatom frustules), and calcite. Concentrations of PP, suspended solids, and particulate OM were greater at the Cell 4 inflow than at the outflow; consistent differences between particulate calcite in the influent vs. the effluent were not found. PP was positively correlated with particulate OM, but was not correlated with calcite. Data suggest that particulate OM, including microbial cells, plays an important role in P transport from the EAA. Possibly, a shift from planktonic to periphytic microbial distribution contributes to PP reduction. The importance of planktonic organisms as vectors of P in Everglades water warrants further study.     

Wintering bird communities in newly-formed wetland in the Yangtze River estuary

We compared wintering bird communities and their habitats among three shoals at Jiuduansha, a newly-formed wetland in the Yangtze River estuary. The highest species richness and diversity were recorded in Shangsha, which is the highest shoal, and the highest abundance and lowest species diversity were recorded in Xiasha, which is the lowest shoal. Shangsha had the largest abundance of perching birds whereas Xiasha was the most abundant in waterbirds. Bird assemblages showed different associations with the different habitat types—perching birds were favored by reed (Phragmites australis) communities, shallow water foragers and dabbling ducks preferred sea-bulrush (Scirpus mariqueter) communities, and moist-soil foragers and gulls showed a preference for bare intertidal zones. All bird assemblages, however, avoided the smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) communities, which are dominated by an alien invasive plant. The composition of avian communities was related to habitat types at the three shoals. Our results suggest that the newly-formed tidelands can provide suitable habitats for waterbirds and that the lower tidelands can attract more waterfowl than the higher tidelands. Because the shoal with low species diversity could have exclusive bird species, conservation efforts should not concentrate only on the area with high species diversity. The estuarine wetlands should be considered as a whole when conservation strategies are designed. The alien invasive plant should, moreover, be effectively controlled, to provide suitable habitats for birds.     

The effects of artificial enrichment upon the planktonic and benthic communities in a mesotrophic to hypertrophic loch series in lowland Scotland

Phytoplankton, submerged macrophytes, zoobenthos and zooplankton communities were studied concurrently in three lochs which progressively increased in trophic state. The phytoplankton showed a change in dominance from Bacillariophyceae (Pennales) and Desmidaceae in the mesotrophic Loch of the Lowes to Bacillariophyceae (Pennales) and Cyanobacteria in eutrophic Balgavies Loch and to Bacillariophyceae (Centrales) and Chlorophyceae in hypertrophic Forfar Loch. The Nygaard Compound phytoplankton quotient rose from 1.2 in the Lowes to 12 in Forfar. There was a decrease in number of species of submerged macrophytes, and in depth of colonisation from 5 m in the Lowes to 2 m in Forfar which was proportional to the decrease in mean transparency. Macrophyte biomass, however, increased in proportion to the concentration of total phosphorus in the lochs. There was a decrease in species of littoral zoobenthos, but an increase in density of profundal benthos from the Lowes to Forfar. Zooplankton also showed an increase in density with enrichment, accompanied by changes in dominance. Calanoida were dominant in the Lowes; Cladocera in Balgavies and Cyclopoda in Forfar. The importance of these differences in understanding the effects of progressive enrichment and to the management of the lochs is discussed.     

Impacts of introduced brown and rainbow trout on benthic invertebrate communities in shallow New Zealand lakes

1. Brown and rainbow trout have been introduced to many inland waters in New Zealand, but research on the impacts on native communities has focused mainly on streams. The purpose of this study was to compare the benthic communities of trout and troutless lakes. Based on previous studies in North America and Europe, we predicted that the benthic biomass, and especially the abundance of large invertebrates, would be lower in lakes with trout as compared to those without. We surveyed the invertebrate fauna of 43 shallow, high‐elevation lakes (26 with and 17 without trout) in four geographic clusters on the central South Island and then conducted a detailed quantitative study of invertebrate biomass and community structure in 12 of these lakes. 2. Benthic community composition and diversity of lakes with and without trout were nearly identical and biomass was as high or higher in the lakes with as without trout. There was no evidence that trout have caused local extinctions of benthic invertebrates. Although the proportional abundance of large‐bodied aquatic was slightly lower in lakes with than without trout, the abundance of several groups of large‐bodied benthic taxa (dragonflies, caddisflies and water bugs) did not differ. 3. Our findings are in contrast to those in North American and Europe where trout introductions into previously troutless lakes have led to declines in the abundance of benthic invertebrates, especially large‐bodied taxa. We propose that the modest effects of trout in New Zealand could be explained by (i) the high areal extent of submergent vegetation that acts as a benthic refuge, (ii) low intensity of trout predation on benthic communities and/or (iii) characteristics of the benthic invertebrates that make them relatively invulnerable to fish predation. 4. Regardless of the relative importance of these hypotheses, our results emphasise that the same invertebrates occurred in all of the lakes, regardless of size, elevation and presence of trout, suggesting habitat generalists dominate the benthic fauna in shallow New Zealand lakes.