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Di Lorenzo T, Tabilio Di Camillo A, Mori E, Viviano A, Mazza G, Pontalti A, Rogora M, Fiasca B, Di Cicco M, Galassi DMP. Effects of a beaver dam on the benthic copepod assemblage of a Mediterranean river. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8956. [PMID: 38637569 PMCID: PMC11026539 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
As known "ecosystem engineers", beavers influence river hydrology, geomorphology, biochemistry, and biological assemblages. However, there is a lack of research regarding the effects of beaver activities on freshwater meiofauna. In this study, we investigated the taxonomic and functional composition of the benthic copepod assemblage of a segment of the Tiber River (Italy) where a beaver dam, created about 7 weeks before our survey, had formed a semi-lentic habitat upstream and a lotic habitat downstream of the dam. We also analyzed the copepod assemblage before and after a flood event that destroyed the beaver dam, providing a unique opportunity to observe changes in a naturally reversing scenario. Our analyses revealed that, while the taxonomic composition and functional traits of the copepod assemblage remained largely unchanged across the recently formed semi-lentic and lotic habitats, substantial differences were evident between the dammed and undammed states. The dammed state showed lower copepod abundances, biomass, and functionality than the undammed one. These results highlight the role of beaver dams in changing the composition and functionality of meiofaunal assemblages offering insights into the dynamic interactions within aquatic ecosystems.
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Grants
- Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP B83C22002930006, Project title "National Biodiversity Future Center-NBFC National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4-Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU
- Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP B83C22002930006, Project title "National Biodiversity Future Center-NBFC National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4-Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU
- Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP B83C22002930006, Project title "National Biodiversity Future Center-NBFC National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4-Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU
- National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4-Call for tender No. 3138 of 16 December 2021, rectified by Decree n.3175 of 18 December 2021 of the Italian Ministry of University and Research funded by the European Union–NextGenerationEU
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Affiliation(s)
- T Di Lorenzo
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy.
- NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center), 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - A Tabilio Di Camillo
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - E Mori
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy
- NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center), 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Viviano
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy
| | - G Mazza
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy
- NBFC (National Biodiversity Future Center), 90133, Palermo, Italy
- CREA Research Centre for Plant Protection and Certification (CREA‑DC), Florence, Italy
| | - A Pontalti
- National Research Council of Italy, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CN-IRET), Florence, Italy
| | - M Rogora
- National Research Council of Italy, Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - B Fiasca
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - M Di Cicco
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - D M P Galassi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Auffray M, Senécal JF, Turgeon K, St-Hilaire A, Maheu A. Reservoirs regulated by small dams have a similar warming effect than lakes on the summer thermal regime of streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161445. [PMID: 36634771 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Small dams account for the majority of reservoirs throughout the world, yet little is known about their effects on stream temperatures. Given that water temperature is vital for maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems, studying the effects of small dams is important. This study aims to understand the effect of small dams on summer stream temperatures in a protected area in southern Quebec, Canada. We assessed the effect of small surface-release dams on four attributes of the thermal regimes (magnitude, frequency and duration of warm events, and rate of change) of streams by comparing water temperature measured in the main tributary upstream and in the main outlet downstream of the reservoir. We also compared the thermal effects of reservoirs to those of natural lakes of similar size. Using a generalized additive model, we identified key determinants of stream temperature to assess the influence of reservoir and natural lake characteristics on the thermal regime of streams. In August 2020, we observed an average warming of 3.7 °C downstream of reservoirs regulated by small dams compared to conditions upstream of the reservoir. During this period, the warming effect of reservoirs was not significantly different from the warming effect of natural lakes (3.4 °C). In addition to the drainage area, distance to an upstream water body, and the proportion of the watershed occupied by water bodies were the primary determinants of stream temperature in August, demonstrating the importance of nearby water bodies on stream thermal regimes. Given their warming effect, small waterbodies may limit the available habitat for species that are sensitive to warm temperatures. As the construction of small dams is accelerating at the global scale, a clear understanding of the cumulative effects of small lakes and reservoirs on stream temperature is required to ensure the sound management of aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Auffray
- Institut des sciences de la forêt tempérée (ISFORT), Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), 58 rue Principale, Ripon, QC J0V 1V0, Canada.
| | - Jean-François Senécal
- Institut des sciences de la forêt tempérée (ISFORT), Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), 58 rue Principale, Ripon, QC J0V 1V0, Canada
| | - Katrine Turgeon
- Institut des sciences de la forêt tempérée (ISFORT), Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), 58 rue Principale, Ripon, QC J0V 1V0, Canada.
| | - André St-Hilaire
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC G1K 9A9, Canada.
| | - Audrey Maheu
- Institut des sciences de la forêt tempérée (ISFORT), Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), 58 rue Principale, Ripon, QC J0V 1V0, Canada.
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Deleterious impacts of heat stress on steroidogenesis markers, immunity status and ovarian tissue of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). J Therm Biol 2020; 91:102578. [PMID: 32716855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The water temperature of aquacultures is a primary factor of fish welfare, reproductive patterns, and immunity. To elucidate the molecular and biological processes of the temperature modulation of reproduction and immunity, female Nile tilapia (190 ± 10g) were allocated into five groups following acclimatization (150 females, three replicates, each n = 10). Each group was subjected to various temperatures (28 °C, 30 °C, 32 °C, 34 °C, and 37 °C), the group at 28 °C representing the control. Their serum levels of estradiol, cortisol, and vitellogenin were measured as well as serum triiodothyronine (T3) hormone, thyroxine (T4) hormone, and non-specific immunity (phagocytic and lysozyme activity). In addition, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), vitellogenin gene receptor, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene expression were evaluated. The serum levels of estradiol, cortisol, and vitellogenin markedly declined (P < 0.05) in fish group at higher temperatures. In addition to T3, T4 was significantly affected (P < 0.05) in the control group. The expressions of the STAR gene (steroidogenesis) and vitellogenin receptors were also considerably down-regulated. The histopathological photomicrograph of fish subjected to high water temperature revealed injuries in ovary tissues, demonstrating its harmful effects. The experimental results verified the possible role of water temperature as a main stressor on Nile tilapia' physiology through modulation of steroidogenesis-related gene expression and immunity.
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Weber N, Bouwes N, Pollock MM, Volk C, Wheaton JM, Wathen G, Wirtz J, Jordan CE. Alteration of stream temperature by natural and artificial beaver dams. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176313. [PMID: 28520714 PMCID: PMC5435143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Beaver are an integral component of hydrologic, geomorphic, and biotic processes within North American stream systems, and their propensity to build dams alters stream and riparian structure and function to the benefit of many aquatic and terrestrial species. Recognizing this, beaver relocation efforts and/or application of structures designed to mimic the function of beaver dams are increasingly being utilized as effective and cost-efficient stream and riparian restoration approaches. Despite these verities, the notion that beaver dams negatively impact stream habitat remains common, specifically the assumption that beaver dams increase stream temperatures during summer to the detriment of sensitive biota such as salmonids. In this study, we tracked beaver dam distributions and monitored water temperature throughout 34 km of stream for an eight-year period between 2007 and 2014. During this time the number of natural beaver dams within the study area increased by an order of magnitude, and an additional 4 km of stream were subject to a restoration manipulation that included installing a high-density of Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) structures designed to mimic the function of natural beaver dams. Our observations reveal several mechanisms by which beaver dam development may influence stream temperature regimes; including longitudinal buffering of diel summer temperature extrema at the reach scale due to increased surface water storage, and creation of cool—water channel scale temperature refugia through enhanced groundwater—surface water connectivity. Our results suggest that creation of natural and/or artificial beaver dams could be used to mitigate the impact of human induced thermal degradation that may threaten sensitive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Weber
- Eco-Logical Research Inc., Providence, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicolaas Bouwes
- Eco-Logical Research Inc., Providence, Utah, United States of America
- Watershed Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - Michael M. Pollock
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Carol Volk
- South Fork Research Inc., North Bend, Washington, United States of America
| | - Joseph M. Wheaton
- Watershed Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America
| | - Gus Wathen
- Eco-Logical Research Inc., Providence, Utah, United States of America
| | - Jacob Wirtz
- Eco-Logical Research Inc., Providence, Utah, United States of America
| | - Chris E. Jordan
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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Wang CY, Sample DJ. Assessment of the nutrient removal effectiveness of floating treatment wetlands applied to urban retention ponds. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2014; 137:23-35. [PMID: 24594756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) in point and non-point source pollution control has received much attention recently. Although the potential of this emerging technology is supported by various studies, quantifying FTW performance in urban retention ponds remains elusive due to significant research gaps. Actual urban retention pond water was utilized in this mesocosm study to evaluate phosphorus and nitrogen removal efficiency of FTWs. Multiple treatments were used to investigate the contribution of each component in the FTW system with a seven-day retention time. The four treatments included a control, floating mat, pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata L.), and softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani). The water samples collected on Day 0 (initial) and 7 were analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), total particulate phosphorus, orthophosphate, total nitrogen (TN), organic nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a. Statistical tests were used to evaluate the differences between the four treatments. The effects of temperature on TP and TN removal rates of the FTWs were described by the modified Arrhenius equation. Our results indicated that all three FTW designs, planted and unplanted floating mats, could significantly improve phosphorus and nitrogen removal efficiency (%, E-TP and E-TN) compared to the control treatment during the growing season, i.e., May through August. The E-TP and E-TN was enhanced by 8.2% and 18.2% in the FTW treatments planted with the pickerelweed and softstem bulrush, respectively. Organic matter decomposition was likely to be the primary contributor of nutrient removal by FTWs in urban retention ponds. Such a mechanism is fostered by microbes within the attached biofilms on the floating mats and plant root surfaces. Among the results of the four treatments, the FTWs planted with pickerelweed had the highest E-TP, and behaved similarly with the other two FTW treatments for nitrogen removal during the growth period. The temperature effects described by the modified Arrhenius equation revealed that pickerelweed is sensitive to temperature and provides considerable phosphorus removal when water temperature is greater than 25 °C. However, the nutrient removal effectiveness of this plant species may be negligible for water temperatures below 15 °C. The study also assessed potential effects of shading from the FTW mats on water temperature, DO, pH, and attached-to-substrate periphyton/vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yu Wang
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, USA.
| | - David J Sample
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1444 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, USA.
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