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Séguigne M, Leroy C, Carrias JF, Corbara B, Lafont Rapnouil T, Céréghino R. Interactive effects of drought and deforestation on multitrophic communities and aquatic ecosystem functions in the Neotropics-a test using tank bromeliads. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17346. [PMID: 38737739 PMCID: PMC11088369 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Together with the intensification of dry seasons in Neotropical regions, increasing deforestation is expected to exacerbate species extinctions, something that could lead to dramatic shifts in multitrophic communities and ecosystem functions. Recent studies suggest that the effects of habitat loss are greater where precipitation has decreased. Yet, experimental studies of the pure and interactive effects of drought and deforestation at ecosystem level remain scarce. Methods Here, we used rainshelters and transplantation from rainforest to open areas of natural microcosms (the aquatic ecosystem and microbial-faunal food web found within the rainwater-filled leaves of tank bromeliads) to emulate drought and deforestation in a full factorial experimental design. We analysed the pure and interactive effects of our treatments on functional community structure (including microorganisms, detritivore and predatory invertebrates), and on leaf litter decomposition in tank bromeliad ecosystems. Results Drought or deforestation alone had a moderate impact on biomass at the various trophic level, but did not eliminate species. However, their interaction synergistically reduced the biomass of all invertebrate functional groups and bacteria. Predators were the most impacted trophic group as they were totally eliminated, while detritivore biomass was reduced by about 95%. Fungal biomass was either unaffected or boosted by our treatments. Decomposition was essentially driven by microbial activity, and did not change across treatments involving deforestation and/or drought. Conclusions Our results suggest that highly resistant microorganisms such as fungi (plus a few detritivores) maintain key ecosystem functions in the face of drought and habitat change. We conclude that habitat destruction compounds the problems of climate change, that the impacts of the two phenomena on food webs are mutually reinforcing, and that the stability of ecosystem functions depends on the resistance of a core group of organisms. Assuming that taking global action is more challenging than taking local-regional actions, policy-makers should be encouraged to implement environmental action plans that will halt habitat destruction, to dampen any detrimental interactive effect with the impacts of global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Séguigne
- Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement (CRBE), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3—Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
| | - Céline Leroy
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
- EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Campus agronomique, Kourou, France
| | - Jean-François Carrias
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno Corbara
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Tristan Lafont Rapnouil
- Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement (CRBE), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3—Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
- AMAP, Université de Montpellier, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, IRD, Montpellier, France
- EcoFoG, AgroParisTech, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Université des Antilles, Université de Guyane, Campus agronomique, Kourou, France
| | - Régis Céréghino
- Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l’Environnement (CRBE), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3—Paul Sabatier (UT3), Toulouse, France
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Weeks J, Miller JED, Steel ZL, Batzer EE, Safford HD. High‐severity fire drives persistent floristic homogenization in human‐altered forests. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- JonahMaria Weeks
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California‐Davis Davis California USA
| | - Jesse E. D. Miller
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California‐Davis Davis California USA
- Department of Biology Stanford University Palo Alto California USA
| | - Zachary L. Steel
- Department of Environmental, Science and Management University of California‐Berkeley Berkeley California USA
- USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Evan E. Batzer
- Department of Plant Sciences University of California‐Davis Davis California USA
| | - Hugh D. Safford
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy University of California‐Davis Davis California USA
- Vibrant Planet Incline Village Nevada USA
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Andrus RA, Hart SJ, Tutland N, Veblen TT. Future dominance by quaking aspen expected following short‐interval, compounded disturbance interaction. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Andrus
- Department of Geography University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin – Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Sarah J. Hart
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin – Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Niko Tutland
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin – Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Thomas T. Veblen
- Department of Geography University of Colorado Boulder Colorado USA
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Abstract
Abstract
Global change has been accompanied by recent increases in the frequency and intensity of various ecological disturbances (e.g., fires, floods, cyclones), both natural and anthropogenic in origin. Because these disturbances often interact, their cumulative and synergistic effects can result in unforeseen consequences, such as insect outbreaks, crop failure, and progressive ecosystem degradation. We consider the roles of biological legacies, thresholds, and lag effects responsible for the distinctive impacts of interacting disturbances. We propose a hierarchical classification that distinguishes the patterns and implications associated with random co-occurrences, individual links, and multiple links among disturbances that cascade in chains or networks. Disturbance-promoting interactions apparently prevail over disturbance-inhibiting ones. Complex and exogenous disturbance cascades are less predictable than simple and endogenous links because of their dependency on adjacent or synchronous events. These distinctions help define regional disturbance regimes and can have implications for natural selection, risk assessment, and options for management intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Burton
- Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Northern British Columbia, Terrace, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anke Jentsch
- Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, Department of Disturbance Ecology, Bayreuth University, Bayreuth, Germany
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