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Stackhouse LA, Coops NC, Kuiper SD, Hinch SG, White JC, Tompalski P, Nonis A, Gergel SE. Modeling instream temperature from solar insolation under varying timber harvesting intensities using RPAS laser scanning. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169459. [PMID: 38123099 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Stream temperatures are influenced by the amount of solar insolation they receive. Increasing stream temperatures associated with climate warming pose detrimental health risks to freshwater ecosystems. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, timber harvesting along forested streams is managed using riparian buffer zones of varying widths and designations. Within buffer zones, depending on distance from the stream, selective thinning may be permitted or harvest may be forbidden. In this study, we used airborne laser scanning (ALS) point cloud data acquired via a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) to derive forest canopy characteristics that were then used to estimate daily incoming summer and fall solar insolation for five stream reaches in coastal conifer-dominated temperate forests in Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. We then examined empirical relationships between estimated insolation and actual instream temperature measurements. Based on these empirical relationships, the potential effects of timber harvest on instream temperatures were simulated by comparing scenarios of different riparian forest harvest intensities. Our results indicated that modeled solar insolation explained 43-90 % of the variation in observed stream reach temperatures, and furthermore, when a single cold-water stream reach was excluded explained an overall 81 % of variation. Simulated harvesting scenarios generally projected increases in maximum stream reach temperatures 1-2 °C in summer and early fall months. However, in a full clearcut scenario (i.e. where all trees were removed), maximum stream reach temperatures increased as much as 5.8 °C. Our results emphasize the importance of retaining riparian vegetation for the maintenance of habitable temperatures for freshwater-reliant fish with thermal restrictions. In addition, we demonstrate the feasibility of RPAS-based monitoring of stream reach shading and canopy cover, enabling detailed assessment of environmental stressors faced by fish populations under climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanna A Stackhouse
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Nicholas C Coops
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Spencer Dakin Kuiper
- Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Scott G Hinch
- Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Forest Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne C White
- Canadian Forest Service (Pacific Forestry Centre), Natural Resources Canada, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Piotr Tompalski
- Canadian Forest Service (Pacific Forestry Centre), Natural Resources Canada, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alyssa Nonis
- Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Forest Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah E Gergel
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Ruaro R, Gubiani ÉA, Hughes RM. Omernik's Ecoregion Framework: a Legacy for Understanding Regional Patterns in Attainable Resource Quality. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 73:354-364. [PMID: 37610662 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-023-01871-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
An initial and comprehensive map of ecological regions across the conterminous United States was provided by Omernik in 1987. Because that paper was the most-cited published by the Annals of the American Association of Geographers, we sought to assess and quantify its contribution to science. To do so, we conducted a scientometric analysis to address the following main questions: 1) What are the temporal and spatial citation trends? We expected that Omernik's paper would still be employed 36 years after its publication, and mostly in the United States of America. 2) For what types of environments and organisms has it been applied? Based on its generality, we expected that it had been applied to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. 3) What are the main applications of Omernik's article? We predicted that it would mostly be used for describing and delineating study sites and management areas, as well as for selecting regional reference sites. The number of citations presented a positive temporal increase, indicating its continued applicability. Most papers dealt with aquatic environments, mainly in streams carried out predominantly in the United States of America, as was one of its earliest applications. The usefulness of ecoregions for assessing and managing biotic and abiotic patterns and distributions were the main topics addressed by scientists. Ecoregions have offered a general framework for developing regional expectations and rational regional management policies across large areas, as was their original intent. In addition, ecoregion maps were used for communicating patterns-or the lack of them-to interested scientists, citizens, and decision-makers. That comprehensiveness of Omernik's ecoregion approach has led to its widespread applicability and continued usefulness to a diverse set of scientific and management disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Ruaro
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Graduate Program in Environmental Science and Technology, Federal Technological University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Éder André Gubiani
- Group of Research in Fisheries Resources and Limnology (Gerpel), Graduate Course in Fisheries Resources and Fishing Engineering, Graduate Course in Conservation and Management of Natural Resources, Western Paraná State University, Toledo, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Üblacker MM, Infante DM, Cooper AR, Daniel WM, Schmutz S, Schinegger R. Cross-continental evaluation of landscape-scale drivers and their impacts to fluvial fishes: Understanding frequency and severity to improve fish conservation in Europe and the United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165101. [PMID: 37400034 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluvial fishes are threatened globally from intensive human landscape stressors degrading aquatic ecosystems. However, impacts vary regionally, as stressors and natural environmental factors differ between ecoregions and continents. To date, a comparison of fish responses to landscape stressors over continents is lacking, limiting understanding of consistency of impacts and hampering efficiencies in conserving fishes over large regions. This study addresses these shortcomings through a novel, integrative assessment of fluvial fishes throughout Europe and the conterminous United States. Using large-scale datasets, including information on fish assemblages from more than 30,000 locations on both continents, we identified threshold responses of fishes summarized by functional traits to landscape stressors including agriculture, pasture, urban area, road crossings, and human population density. After summarizing stressors by catchment unit (local and network) and constraining analyses by stream size (creeks vs. rivers), we analyzed stressor frequency (number of significant thresholds) and stressor severity (value of identified thresholds) within ecoregions across Europe and the United States. We document hundreds of responses of fish metrics to multi-scale stressors in ecoregions across two continents, providing rich findings to aid in understanding and comparing threats to fishes across the study regions. Collectively, we found that lithophilic species and, as expected, intolerant species are most sensitive to stressors in both continents, while migratory and rheophilic species are similarly strongly affected in the United States. Also, urban land use and human population density were most frequently associated with declines in fish assemblages, underscoring the pervasiveness of these stressors in both continents. This study offers an unprecedented comparison of landscape stressor effects on fluvial fishes in a consistent and comparable manner, supporting conservation of freshwater habitats in both continents and worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Üblacker
- Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany; Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Institute of Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dana M Infante
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Arthur R Cooper
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Wesley M Daniel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Stefan Schmutz
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafaela Schinegger
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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4
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Hughes RM, Herlihy AT, Comeleo R, Peck DV, Mitchell RM, Paulsen SG. Patterns in and predictors of stream and river macroinvertebrate genera and fish species richness across the conterminous USA. KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 2023; 424:1-16. [PMID: 37593206 PMCID: PMC10428169 DOI: 10.1051/kmae/2023014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Both native and non-native taxa richness patterns are useful for evaluating areas of greatest conservation concern. To determine those patterns, we analyzed fish and macroinvertebrate taxa richness data obtained at 3475 sites collected by the USEPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment. We also determined which natural and anthropogenic variables best explained patterns in regional richness. Macroinvertebrate and fish richness increased with the number of sites sampled per region. Therefore, we determined residual taxa richness from the deviation of observed richness from predicted richness given the number of sites per region. Regional richness markedly exceeded average site richness for both macroinvertebrates and fish. Predictors of macroinvertebrate-genus and fish-species residual-regional richness differed. Air temperature was an important predictor in both cases but was positive for fish and negative for macroinvertebrates. Both natural and land use variables were significant predictors of regional richness. This study is the first to determine mean site and regional richness of both fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates across the conterminous USA, and the key anthropogenic drivers of regional richness. Thus, it offers important insights into regional USA biodiversity hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Alan T. Herlihy
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Randy Comeleo
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Richard M. Mitchell
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, MC 4502T, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Steven G. Paulsen
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Carvalho DC, Leal CG. Steps forward in biomonitoring 2.0: eDNA Metabarcoding and community-level modelling allow the assessment of complex drivers of Neotropical fish diversity. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:1688-1690. [PMID: 36635221 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Carvalho
- Conservation Genetics Lab, Postgraduate Program in Vertebrate Biology, Pontifícal Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Cecília G Leal
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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de Paula FR, Ruschel AR, Felizzola JF, Frauendorf TC, de Barros Ferraz SF, Richardson JS. Seizing resilience windows to foster passive recovery in the forest-water interface in Amazonian lands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154425. [PMID: 35276136 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Forest regeneration has increased in many tropical abandoned lands and current restoration commitments in this region aim to restore over 1,400,000 km2 of degraded land by 2030. Although regenerating forests recover biomass, biodiversity, and processes with time, the recovery trajectories may be uncertain due to past disturbances. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge to sustain the effectiveness of passive regeneration for the recovery of riparian forests and the adjacent waterbodies in the tropics, which may compromise the outcomes of ongoing and future tropical riparian restoration programs. We evaluated the drivers of riparian forest structural recovery and how this relates to stream conditions in 12 abandoned pasturelands in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. These pasturelands range across regeneration age (pasture (PA) - 0 to 4 years; young regeneration (YR) - 8 to 12 years; old regeneration (OR) - 18 to 22 years) and years of past land-use (PA - 23.25 average years of past land-use, YR - 18.25, OR - 7). We compared the conditions of these sites to 4 reference sites with conserved forests (REF, >100 years), where there was no recorded pasture use in the past. Short-term responses of forests and streams to passive regeneration indicated high ecosystem resilience after low to intermediate past land-use intensity, reflected in the improvement of stream ecosystems. Such high resilience is possibly attributable to low- to intermediate-intensity pasture-related disturbances, remaining forest matrix, and residual structures (e.g. roots, sprouts, and in-stream wood) observed in the area. Our results suggest a recovery by 12 to 20 years for riparian forests of this region. However, areas degraded by intensive land-use apparently showed delayed recovery. We conclude that seizing resilience windows (defined here as the period when ecosystems retain high potential resilience) is essential to foster passive recovery of riparian forests and streams more cost-effectively in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Rossetti de Paula
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, CP 9, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil; Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 3041-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z4, Canada; Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Trav. Doutor Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, CP 48, Belém, PA 66095-100, Brazil.
| | - Ademir Roberto Ruschel
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Trav. Doutor Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, CP 48, Belém, PA 66095-100, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Feitosa Felizzola
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Trav. Doutor Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, CP 48, Belém, PA 66095-100, Brazil.
| | - Therese C Frauendorf
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3020, Station CSC, Victoria, BC V8W3N5, Canada; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, 165 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
| | - Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias, 11, CP 9, Piracicaba, SP 13418-900, Brazil.
| | - John S Richardson
- Department of Forest & Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 3041-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z4, Canada.
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Hughes RM, Zeigler M, Stringer S, Linam GW, Flotemersch J, Jessup B, Joseph S, Jacobi G, Guevara L, Cook R, Bradley P, Barrios K. Biological assessment of western USA sandy bottom rivers based on modeling historical and current fish and macroinvertebrate data. RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 38:639-656. [PMID: 35602909 PMCID: PMC9115846 DOI: 10.1002/rra.3929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Biological monitoring is important for assessing the ecological condition of surface waters. However, there are challenges in determining what constitutes reference conditions, what assemblages should be used as indicators, and how assemblage data should be converted into quantitative indicator scores. In this study, we developed and applied biological condition gradient (BCG) modeling to fish and macroinvertebrate data previously collected from large, sandy bottom southwestern USA rivers. Such rivers are particularly vulnerable to altered flow regimes resulting from dams, water withdrawals and climate change. We found that sensitive ubiquitous taxa for both fish and macroinvertebrates had been replaced by more tolerant taxa, but that the condition assessment ratings based on fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages differed. We conclude that the BCG models based on both macroinvertebrate and fish assemblage condition were useful for classifying the condition of southwestern USA sandy bottom rivers. However, our fish BCG model was slightly more sensitive than the macroinvertebrate model to anthropogenic disturbance, presumably because we had historical fish data, and because fish may be more sensitive to dams and altered flow regimes than are macroinvertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Hughes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Shann Stringer
- New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Gordon W. Linam
- Texas Parks and Wildlife, River Studies Program, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph Flotemersch
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Office of Research & Development, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Seva Joseph
- New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Gerald Jacobi
- New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, USA
| | - Lynette Guevara
- New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Robert Cook
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Region 6, Dallas, Texas, USA
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OLIVEIRA LUCASSDE, CAJADO RUINERISA, SANTOS LUANRDOS, ZACARDI DIEGOM. Structure of the ichthyoplankton community in a Neotropical floodplain lake affected by environmental degradation. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20201598. [DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220201598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - RUINERIS A. CAJADO
- Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (UFOPA), Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Brazil
| | | | - DIEGO M. ZACARDI
- Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará (UFOPA), Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Brazil
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Maia C, Salvador GN, Begot TO, Freitas PV, Nonato FAS, Torres NR, Juen L, Montag LFA. Fish functional responses to local habitat variation in streams within multiple land uses areas in the Amazon. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2022-0091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract In this study, we assessed the effects of multiple land uses and local habitat variables on the composition of fish functional trophic groups (FTG’s) and on the ecomorphological traits of fish in Amazonian streams. We evaluated land use types and local habitat variables in 26 streams distributed within a land use gradient. Land use and habitat variables affected the composition of FTG’s, as evidenced by the increased abundance of diurnal channel drift feeders in areas with high dissolved oxygen and deeper thalweg. At the same time, diurnal surface pickers, as well as diggers, and ambush and stalker predators were more abundant in streams with higher canopy density. Only habitat variables affected the ecomorphological characteristics of the species. Fish with higher values of relative caudal peduncle length were positively associated with high canopy density, while fish with greater relative mouth width were negatively associated with the variables impact in the riparian zone and cover of fish shelter. The stream fish functional structure was mainly affected by the impacts caused to the local habitat resulting from different land uses. Thus, preserving forest remnants, as well as recovering degraded areas, is essential for the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity in the region.
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Dias-Silva K, Vieira TB, de Matos TP, Juen L, Simião-Ferreira J, Hughes RM, De Marco Júnior P. Measuring stream habitat conditions: Can remote sensing substitute for field data? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147617. [PMID: 34134352 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing encroachment of agricultural activities into natural areas is a growing problem for the ecological condition of streams. Stream ecological condition is best measured using both biotic and abiotic parameters that reflect different channel, riparian zone and catchment aspects. Multiple physical-chemical measures of water quality have long been widely used to represent the environmental conditions of water bodies. More recently, physical habitat structure, catchment land use and land cover have been employed to better understand water body conditions. Both water quality and physical habitat structure metrics are usually measured in the field and often have strong predictive power to analyze biological assemblage conditions. On the other hand, remote sensing of catchment land use and land cover provide relatively low-cost environmental information at large spatial extents, minimizing the need for fieldwork and reducing analytical time. Given these considerations, our aim in the present study was to evaluate the degree to which stream environmental conditions could be measured reliably via remote sensing. In particular, we assessed whether a remote sensing index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and land use can be used as reliable surrogates for site habitat condition, channel dimensions, and water quality. We found that our remote sensing variables were not sufficient for predicting stream water quality or habitat structure. Therefore, we recommend using remote sensing indicators only when it is impossible to measure water quality and habitat structure in the field directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Dias-Silva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia - Universidade Federal do Pará/Embrapa, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil; Programa Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação - Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Altamira, PA, Brazil.
| | - Thiago Bernardi Vieira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia - Universidade Federal do Pará/Embrapa, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil; Programa Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação - Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Altamira, PA, Brazil.
| | - Talissa Pio de Matos
- Programa Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação - Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Altamira, PA, Brazil
| | - Leandro Juen
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia - Universidade Federal do Pará/Embrapa, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará-UFPA, Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Simião-Ferreira
- Universidade Estadual de Goiás-UEG, Laboratório de Pesquisas Ecológicas e Educação Científica, Campus Central, Anápolis, GO, Brazil.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA; Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Paulo De Marco Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Goiás-UFG, Laboratório de Teoria, Metacomunidade e Ecologia de Paisagem, Departamento de Ecologia, ICB. Goiânia, GO, Brazil
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Catchment versus Riparian Buffers: Which Land Use Spatial Scales Have the Greatest Ability to Explain Water Quality Changes in a Typical Temperate Watershed? WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13131758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the multi-scale spatial relationship between land use and water quality is critical for determining the priorities and key areas of river management. To more accurately identify the scale effect of land-use patterns on water quality and quantitatively distinguish the difference in the impacts of land-use composition and configuration on water quality, we used 94 sites to extract the upstream catchment and riparian buffer zone with different widths. The results showed that the ability of land use variables with different buffer widths to explain water quality differed slightly from the ability of these variables at the catchment scale, and the joint explanatory ability of land use composition and configuration was greater than that of each individually. The patch density and landscape shape index of cultivated land, shrubland, and built-up land in the buffer area close to the water bodies were the main factors for the increase in the concentration of total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended solids. As the width of the buffer increased, the role of the percent of land use increased. Our research indicates that water quality management needs to adopt a multi-scale perspective and focus on key local areas while coordinating at a broader scale.
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Callisto M, Linares MS, Kiffer WP, Hughes RM, Moretti MS, Macedo DR, Solar R. Beta diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with leaf patches in neotropical montane streams. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:2551-2560. [PMID: 33815762 PMCID: PMC8009175 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 70% of the total channel length in all river basins is formed by low order streams, many of which originate on mountaintops. Headwater streams play fundamental roles in processing and transporting terrestrial and aquatic organic matter, often harboring high biodiversity in bottom leaf patches deposited from riparian vegetation. The objective of this study was to assess the variation in taxonomic composition (measured by beta diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates) among stream sites located in the Espinhaço Meridional Mountain Range, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in eastern Brazil. We tested two hypotheses. (a) Taxa turnover is the main reason for differences in aquatic insect assemblages within stream sites; we predicted that turnover would be higher than nestedness in all stream sites. (b) Stream site altitude and catchment elevation range are the main explanatory variables for the differences in beta diversity; we predicted that local stream site variables would account for only minor amounts of variation. In both dry and wet seasons, we sampled twice in two habitat types (five leaf patches in pools and five in riffles) in each of nine stream sites distributed in three different river basins. We computed average pairwise beta diversity among sampling stations and seasons in each stream site by using Jaccard and Bray-Curtis indices, and calculated the percentages of diversity resulting from turnover and nestedness. Finally, we tested the degree that local- or catchment-level predictor variables explained beta diversity. We found that turnover was the main component of beta diversity and that both dissolved oxygen and elevation range best explained Bray-Curtis beta diversity. These results reinforce the importance of leaf patches in montane (sky islands) Neotropical savanna streams as biodiversity hotbeds for macroinvertebrates, and that both local and landscape variables explained beta diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Callisto
- Laboratório de Ecologia de BentosDepartamento de Genética, Ecologia e EvoluçãoInstituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Marden S. Linares
- Laboratório de Ecologia de BentosDepartamento de Genética, Ecologia e EvoluçãoInstituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Walace P. Kiffer
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos AquáticosUniversidade Vila VelhaVila VelhaBrazil
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes InstituteCorvallisORUSA
- Department of Fisheries & WildlifeCorvallisORUSA
| | - Marcelo S. Moretti
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Insetos AquáticosUniversidade Vila VelhaVila VelhaBrazil
| | - Diego R. Macedo
- Laboratório de Geomorfologia e Recursos HídricosDepartamento de GeografiaInstituto de GeociênciasUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Ricardo Solar
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e EvoluçãoCentro de Síntese Ecológica e ConservaçãoInstituto de Ciências BiológicasUniversidade Federal de Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
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Hughes RM, Herlihy AT, Peck DV. Sampling Efforts for Estimating Fish Species Richness in Western USA River Sites. LIMNOLOGICA (ONLINE) 2021; 87:125859. [PMID: 34017150 PMCID: PMC8128690 DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2021.125859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Fish species richness is an indicator of river ecological condition but it is particularly difficult to estimate in large unwadeable rapidly flowing rivers. Intensive multi-gear sampling is time consuming, logistically complex and expensive. However, insufficient sampling effort underestimates species richness and yields inaccurate data about the ecological condition of river sites. We raft-electrofished 10 river sites in 10 different ecoregions and six western USA states for distances equal to 300 times their mean wetted channel widths (MCWs) to estimate the effort needed to approach asymptotes in fish species richness. To collect 90% of the observed fish species at the sites, we found that an average of 150 MCWs (ranging 80-210 MCWs) were needed, with the number of MCWs increasing in rivers with a higher proportion of spatially rare species. Frequently, the second or third additional 100 MCWs produced only one or two additional singletons or doubletons (species occurring only once or twice at a site). Before initiating sampling programs for adequately estimating species richness, we recommend assessing sampling effort, particularly if rare or uncommon species are expected or desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 SE Glenn Street, Corvallis, Oregon, 97333, USA
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Alan T Herlihy
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - David V Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA
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14
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Lomnicky GA, Hughes RM, Peck DV, Ringold PL. Correspondence between a recreational fishery index and ecological condition for U.S.A. streams and rivers. FISHERIES RESEARCH 2021; 223:105749. [PMID: 34334849 PMCID: PMC8318132 DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Sport fishing is an important recreational and economic activity, especially in Australia, Europe and North America, and the condition of sport fish populations is a key ecological indicator of water body condition for millions of anglers and the public. Despite its importance as an ecological indicator representing the status of sport fish populations, an index for measuring this ecosystem service has not been quantified by analyzing actual fish taxa, size and abundance data across the U.S.A. Therefore, we used game fish data collected from 1,561 stream and river sites located throughout the conterminous U.S.A. combined with specific fish species and size dollar weights to calculate site-specific recreational fishery index (RFI) scores. We then regressed those scores against 38 potential site-specific environmental predictor variables, as well as site-specific fish assemblage condition (multimetric index; MMI) scores based on entire fish assemblages, to determine the factors most associated with the RFI scores. We found weak correlations between RFI and MMI scores and weak to moderate correlations with environmental variables, which varied in importance with each of 9 ecoregions. We conclude that the RFI is a useful indicator of a stream ecosystem service, which should be of greater interest to the USA public and traditional fishery management agencies than are MMIs, which tend to be more useful for ecologists, environmentalists and environmental quality agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 SE Glenn, Corvallis, OR, 97333
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Paul L. Ringold
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
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15
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Pelicice FM, Bialetzki A, Camelier P, Carvalho FR, García-Berthou E, Pompeu PS, Mello FTD, Pavanelli CS. Human impacts and the loss of Neotropical freshwater fish diversity. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Neotropical Ichthyology promotes the Special Issue (SI) “Human impacts and the loss of Neotropical freshwater fish diversity” with the purpose of publishing relevant scientific articles on the current biodiversity crisis and the loss of Neotropical freshwater fishes in the Anthropocene. The SI is composed of 22 publications, being two review articles and 20 original articles. A total of 107 researchers contributed to these papers, involving 44 institutions based in Brazil and six other countries. Published articles investigated main anthropic activities and their impacts on fish diversity, with special focus on river regulation, mining, land use changes, aquaculture, and fisheries. Studies provided evidence about the loss of fish diversity in the Neotropics, including fish kill events, demographic changes, contamination, changes in assemblage structure, loss of taxonomic and functional diversity, besides the degradation of ecosystem functions and services, and the lack of effective protection and conservation. Studies were conducted in rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs from different Neotropical systems. The studies published in this SI represent a relevant sample of the current worrisome situation of freshwater fishes in the Neotropical region and call for urgent revision in environmental policies, management and conservation initiatives, and socioeconomic priorities.
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16
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Alvarenga LRP, Pompeu PS, Leal CG, Hughes RM, Fagundes DC, Leitão RP. Land-use changes affect the functional structure of stream fish assemblages in the Brazilian Savanna. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract We investigated the mechanisms involved in the relationship between land-use changes and aquatic biodiversity, using stream fish assemblages of the Brazilian Savanna (i.e., Cerrado) as a study model. We tested the prediction that landscape degradation would decrease environmental heterogeneity and change predominant physical-habitat types, which in turn would decrease the functional diversity and alter the functional identity of fish assemblages. We sampled fish from 40 streams in the Upper Paraná River basin, and assessed catchment and instream conditions. We then conducted an ecomorphological analysis to functionally characterize all species (36) and quantify different facets of the functional structure of assemblages. We detected multiple pathways of the impacts from landscape changes on the fish assemblages. Catchment degradation reduced the stream-bed complexity and the heterogeneity of canopy shading, decreasing assemblage functional specialization and divergence. Landscape changes also reduced the water volume and the amount of large rocks in streams, resulting in decreased abundances of species with large bodies and with morphological traits that favor swimming in the water column. We conclude that land-use intensification caused significant changes in aquatic biodiversity in the Cerrado, reinforcing the need to pay special attention to this global hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmilla R. P. Alvarenga
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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17
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Freitas PV, Montag LFA, Ilha P, Torres NR, Maia C, Deegan L, Nascimento AT, Silva KD. Local effects of deforestation on stream fish assemblages in the amazon-savannah transitional area. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The expansion of agriculture in the southeast Amazon-Savanah transitional area has greatly decreased forest cover and influenced stream structure and functioning. We assessed the effects of forest cover loss on the integrity of streams by assessing stream physical conditions and the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish assemblages in this transitional area. We hypothesize that low forest cover, especially adjacent to streams, results in poor physical conditions (e.g., warmer temperatures, less physical structure, etc.), which in turn will decrease the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish assemblages. We detected that loss of forest cover negatively affects natural stream conditions and reduces the functional diversity of fish assemblages, but we did not find a strong effect on taxonomic diversity. Ambush and stalking predators, diurnal surface pickers (groups that exhibit opportunistic life history strategies), grazers, pickers, and browsers (groups that exhibit equilibrium life history strategies) were the functional groups with the strongest relation to altered environments. These groups can explore different niches, both with natural characteristics or altered by human activities. Our results suggest that the preservation of riparian zones can minimize the loss of specialized fish species in assemblages of Amazon-Savannah stream systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pâmela V. Freitas
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Ilha
- Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia, Brazil
| | - Naiara R. Torres
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
| | - Calebe Maia
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Karina Dias Silva
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil
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18
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Kalacska M, Arroyo-Mora JP, Lucanus O, Sousa L, Pereira T, Vieira T. Deciphering the many maps of the Xingu River Basin – an assessment of land cover classifications at multiple scales. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1635/053.166.0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Kalacska
- Applied Remote Sensing Lab, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal QC, H3A 0B9 Canada
| | - J. Pablo Arroyo-Mora
- Flight Research Lab, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa ON, K1V 2B1 Canada
| | - Oliver Lucanus
- Applied Remote Sensing Lab, Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal QC, H3A 0B9 Canada
| | - Leandro Sousa
- Laboratório de Ictiologia de Altamira, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira PA 68372040, Brazil Laboratório de Aquicultura de Peixes Ornamentais do Xingu, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira PA 68372040, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Pereira
- Laboratório de Aquicultura de Peixes Ornamentais do Xingu, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira PA 68372040, Brazil
| | - Thiago Vieira
- Laboratório de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Altamira PA 68372040, Brazil
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19
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Leal CG, Lennox GD, Ferraz SFB, Ferreira J, Gardner TA, Thomson JR, Berenguer E, Lees AC, Hughes RM, Mac Nally R, Aragão LEOC, de Brito JG, Castello L, Garrett RD, Hamada N, Juen L, Leitão RP, Louzada J, Morello TF, Moura NG, Nessimian JL, Oliveira-Junior JMB, Oliveira VHF, de Oliveira VC, Parry L, Pompeu PS, Solar RRC, Zuanon J, Barlow J. Integrated terrestrial-freshwater planning doubles conservation of tropical aquatic species. Science 2020; 370:117-121. [PMID: 33004520 DOI: 10.1126/science.aba7580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Conservation initiatives overwhelmingly focus on terrestrial biodiversity, and little is known about the freshwater cobenefits of terrestrial conservation actions. We sampled more than 1500 terrestrial and freshwater species in the Amazon and simulated conservation for species from both realms. Prioritizations based on terrestrial species yielded on average just 22% of the freshwater benefits achieved through freshwater-focused conservation. However, by using integrated cross-realm planning, freshwater benefits could be increased by up to 600% for a 1% reduction in terrestrial benefits. Where freshwater biodiversity data are unavailable but aquatic connectivity is accounted for, freshwater benefits could still be doubled for negligible losses of terrestrial coverage. Conservation actions are urgently needed to improve the status of freshwater species globally. Our results suggest that such gains can be achieved without compromising terrestrial conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília G Leal
- Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. .,Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CEP 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Gareth D Lennox
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Silvio F B Ferraz
- Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Joice Ferreira
- EMBRAPA Amazônia Oriental, CEP 66095-100, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Toby A Gardner
- Stockholm Environment Institute, Linegatan 87D, 11523, Stockholm Sweden
| | - James R Thomson
- Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia
| | - Erika Berenguer
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.,Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alexander C Lees
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Luiz E O C Aragão
- Tropical Ecosystems and Environmental Sciences Group (TREES), Remote Sensing Division, National Institute for Space Research-INPE, Avenida dos Astronautas, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.,College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Janaina G de Brito
- Escola Estadual Maria Miranda Araújo, Secretaria de Educação do Estado de Mato Grosso, Av. Aeroporto, s/n, CEP 78336-000, Colniza, MT, Brazil
| | - Leandro Castello
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Rachael D Garrett
- Environmental Policy Lab, Departments of Environmental System Science and Humanities, Social, and Political Science, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Neusa Hamada
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis, CEP 69067-375, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Leandro Juen
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Rua Augusto Correia, No. 1, Bairro Guamá, CEP 66075-110, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael P Leitão
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Julio Louzada
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CEP 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jorge L Nessimian
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, CEP 21941-590, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - José Max B Oliveira-Junior
- Instituto de Ciências e Tecnologia das Águas, Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, Rua Vera Paz, s/n (Unidade Tapajós), Bairro Salé, CEP 68040-255, Santarém, PA, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo F Oliveira
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CEP 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Vívian C de Oliveira
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis, CEP 69067-375, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Luke Parry
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Paulo S Pompeu
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CEP 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo R C Solar
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Jansen Zuanon
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Avenida André Araújo, 2.936, Petrópolis, CEP 69067-375, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Lavras, CEP 37200-900, Lavras, MG, Brazil.,Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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20
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Ribeiro-Brasil DRG, Torres NR, Picanço AB, Sousa DS, Ribeiro VS, Brasil LS, Montag LFDA. Contamination of stream fish by plastic waste in the Brazilian Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115241. [PMID: 32755795 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by plastics is a global problem, in particular through the contamination of aquatic environments and biodiversity. Although plastic contamination is well documented in the aquatic fauna of the oceans and large rivers of the world, there are few data on the organisms of headwater streams, especially in tropical regions. In the present study, we evaluated the contamination of small fish by plastics in Amazonian streams. For this, we evaluated the shape and size, and the abundance of plastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and gills of 14 fish species from 12 streams in eastern Brazilian Amazon. We used a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) to compare the levels of contamination among species and between organs. Only one individual of the 68 evaluated (a small catfish Mastiglanis cf. asopos) contained no plastic particles, and no difference was found in the contamination of the gills and digestive tract. However, Hemigrammus unilineatus presented less contamination of both the gills and the digestive tract than the other species, while Polycentrus schomburgkii had less plastic in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas Crenicichla regani and Pimelodella gerii both had a larger quantity of plastic adhered to their gills in comparison with the other species. Nanoplastics and microplastics adhered most to the gills, while plastic fibers were the most common type of material overall. This is the first study to analyze plastic contamination in fish from Amazonian streams, and in addition to revealing high levels of contamination, some species were shown to possibly be more susceptible than others. This reinforces the need for further, more systematic research into the biological and behavioral factors that may contribute to the greater vulnerability of some fish species to contamination by plastics. Amazonian stream fish show contamination by plastics. The species respond differently. The smaller the particle, the easier it is to adhere to the gills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Regina Gomes Ribeiro-Brasil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil.
| | - Naiara Raiol Torres
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia Aquática e Pesca, Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2651 - Terra Firme, Belém, PA, 66077-530, Brazil
| | - Ana Beatriz Picanço
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil
| | - David Silva Sousa
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Serrão Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Leandro Schlemmer Brasil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil
| | - Luciano Fogaça de Assis Montag
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2-224 - Guamá, Belém, PA, 66077-830, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia Aquática e Pesca, Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Perimetral, 2651 - Terra Firme, Belém, PA, 66077-530, Brazil
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21
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Mello KD, Taniwaki RH, Paula FRD, Valente RA, Randhir TO, Macedo DR, Leal CG, Rodrigues CB, Hughes RM. Multiscale land use impacts on water quality: Assessment, planning, and future perspectives in Brazil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 270:110879. [PMID: 32721318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Brazil contains the largest volume of freshwater of any nation in the world; however, this essential natural resource is threatened by rapid increases in water consumption and water quality degradation, mainly as a result of anthropogenic pressures. Declining water quality has become an increasingly more significant global concern as economic activities and human populations expand and climate change markedly alters hydrological cycles. Changes in land-use/land-cover (LULC) pattern have been recognized as a major driver of water quality degradation, however different LULC types and intensities affect water quality in different ways. In addition, the relationships between LULC and water quality may differ for different spatial and temporal scales. The increase in deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban sprawl in Brazil highlights the need for water quality protection to ensure immediate human needs and to maintain the quality of water supplies in the long-term. Thus, this manuscript provides an overview of the relationships between LULC and water quality in Brazil, aiming at understanding the effects of different LULC types on water quality, how spatial and temporal scales contribute to these effects, and how such knowledge can improve watershed management and future projections. In general, agriculture and urban areas are the main LULCs responsible for water quality degradation in Brazil. However, although representing a small percentage of the territory, mining has a high impact on water quality. Water quality variables respond differently at different spatial scales, so spatial extent is an important aspect to be considered in studies and management. LULC impacts on water quality also vary seasonally and lag effects mean they take time to occur. Forest restoration can improve water quality and multicriteria evaluation has been applied to identify priority areas for forest restoration and conservation aiming at protecting water quality, but both need further exploration. Watershed modelling has been applied to simulate future impacts of LULC change on water quality, but data availability must be improved to increase the number, locations and duration of studies. Because of the international nature of watersheds and the consistent relationships between land use and water quality in Brazil, we believe our results will also aid water management in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaline de Mello
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, R. do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki
- Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Rossetti de Paula
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, R. Padua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Roberta Averna Valente
- Department of Environmental Science, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos (SP-264), km 110, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Timothy O Randhir
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Holdsworth Hall, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Diego Rodrigues Macedo
- Department of Geography, Institute of Geosciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Cecília Gontijo Leal
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, R. Padua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 7331-3803, USA.
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22
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Dala‐Corte RB, Melo AS, Siqueira T, Bini LM, Martins RT, Cunico AM, Pes AM, Magalhães ALB, Godoy BS, Leal CG, Monteiro‐Júnior CS, Stenert C, Castro DMP, Macedo DR, Lima‐Junior DP, Gubiani ÉA, Massariol FC, Teresa FB, Becker FG, Souza FN, Valente‐Neto F, Souza FL, Salles FF, Brejão GL, Brito JG, Vitule JRS, Simião‐Ferreira J, Dias‐Silva K, Albuquerque L, Juen L, Maltchik L, Casatti L, Montag L, Rodrigues ME, Callisto M, Nogueira MAM, Santos MR, Hamada N, Pamplin PAZ, Pompeu PS, Leitão RP, Ruaro R, Mariano R, Couceiro SRM, Abilhoa V, Oliveira VC, Shimano Y, Moretto Y, Súarez YR, Roque FDO. Thresholds of freshwater biodiversity in response to riparian vegetation loss in the Neotropical region. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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23
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Borges PP, Dias MS, Carvalho FR, Casatti L, Pompeu PS, Cetra M, Tejerina-Garro FL, Súarez YR, Nabout JC, Teresa FB. Stream fish metacommunity organisation across a Neotropical ecoregion: The role of environment, anthropogenic impact and dispersal-based processes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233733. [PMID: 32453798 PMCID: PMC7250414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how assemblages are structured in space and the factors promoting their distributions is one of the main goals in Ecology, however, studies regarding the distribution of organisms at larger scales remain biased towards terrestrial groups. We attempt to understand if the structure of stream fish metacommunities across a Neotropical ecoregion (Upper Paraná-drainage area of 820,000 km2) are affected by environmental variables, describing natural environmental gradient, anthropogenic impacts and spatial predictors. For this, we obtained 586 sampling points of fish assemblages in the ecoregion and data on environmental and spatial predictors that potentially affect fish assemblages. We calculated the local beta diversity (Local Contribution to Beta Diversity, LCBD) and alpha diversity from the species list, to be used as response variables in the partial regression models, while the anthropogenic impacts, environmental gradient and spatial factors were used as predictors. We found a high total beta diversity for the ecoregion (0.41) where the greatest values for each site sampled were located at the edges of the ecoregion, while richer communities were found more centrally. All sets of predictors explained the LCBD and alpha diversity, but the most important was dispersal variables, followed by the natural environmental gradient and anthropogenic impact. However, we found an increase in the models' prediction power through the shared effect. Results suggest that environmental filters (i.e. environmental variables such as climate, hydrology and anthropogenic impact) and dispersal limitation together shape fish assemblages of the Upper Paraná ecoregion, showing the importance of using multiple sets of predictors to understand the processes structuring biodiversity distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Paulino Borges
- Laboratório de Biogeografia e Ecologia Aquática (Bioecol), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Murilo Sversut Dias
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Fernando Rogério Carvalho
- Laboratório de Ictiologia, Setor de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lilian Casatti
- Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, UNESP, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Santos Pompeu
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Peixes, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Cetra
- Departamento de Ciências Ambientais (DCA), Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco Leonardo Tejerina-Garro
- Centro de Biologia Aquática, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade-PPSTMA, UniEVANGÉLICA, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Yzel Rondon Súarez
- Centro Integrado de Análise e Monitoramento Ambiental (CInAM), Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Nabout
- Laboratório de Biogeografia e Ecologia Aquática (Bioecol), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Barreto Teresa
- Laboratório de Biogeografia e Ecologia Aquática (Bioecol), Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Anápolis, Goiás, Brazil
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Lo M, Reed J, Castello L, Steel EA, Frimpong EA, Ickowitz A. The Influence of Forests on Freshwater Fish in the Tropics: A Systematic Review. Bioscience 2020; 70:404-414. [PMID: 32440023 PMCID: PMC7231604 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tropical forests influence freshwater fish through multiple pathways, only some of which are well documented. We systematically reviewed the literature to assess the current state of knowledge on forests and freshwater fish in the tropics. The existing evidence is mostly concentrated in the neotropics. The majority of studies provided evidence that fish diversity was higher where there was more forest cover; this was related to the greater heterogeneity of resources in forested environments that could support a wider range of species. Studies quantifying fish abundance (or biomass) showed mixed relationships with forest cover, depending on species-specific habitat preferences. We identify the key challenges limiting our current understanding of the forest-fish nexus and provide recommendations for future research to address these knowledge gaps. A clear understanding of the functional pathways in forest-freshwater ecosystems can improve evidence-based policy development concerned with deforestation, biodiversity conservation, and food insecurity in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lo
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - James Reed
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Leandro Castello
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - E Ashley Steel
- Food and Agricultural Organization, United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Amy Ickowitz
- Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia
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Herlihy AT, Sifneos JC, Hughes RM, Peck DV, Mitchell RM. The Relation of Lotic Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Condition Indices to Environmental Factors Across the Conterminous USA. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2020; 112:10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105958. [PMID: 33628123 PMCID: PMC7898157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
National and regional ecological assessments are essential for making rational decisions concerning water body conservation and management at those spatial extents. We analyzed data from 4597 samples collected from 3420 different sites across the conterminous USA during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 National Rivers and Streams Assessment. We evaluated the relationship between both fish and macroinvertebrate multimetric index (MMI) condition scores and 38 environmental factors to assess the relative importance of natural versus anthropogenic predictors, contrast site-scale versus watershed-scale predictors, and examine ecoregional and assemblage differences. We found that most of the environmental factors we examined were related to either fish and/or macroinvertebrate MMI scores in some fashion and that the factors involved, and strength of the relationship, varied by ecoregion and between assemblages. Factors more associated with natural conditions were usually less important in explaining MMI scores than factors more directly associated with anthropogenic disturbances. Local site-scale factors explained more variation than watershed-scale factors. Random forest and multiple regression models performed similarly, and the fish MMI-environment relationships were stronger than macroinvertebrate MMI-environment relationships. Among ecoregions, the strongest environmental relationships were observed in the Northern Appalachians and the weakest in the Southern Plains. The fish and macroinvertebrate MMIs were only weakly correlated with each other, and they generally responded more strongly to different groups of variables. These results support the use of multiple assemblages and the sampling of multiple environmental indicators in ecological assessments across large spatial extents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean C. Sifneos
- Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute & Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA
| | - Richard M. Mitchell
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, MC 4502T, Washington, DC 20460
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Vieira TB, Tejerina-Garro FL. Relationships Between Environmental Conditions And Fish Assemblages In Tropical Savanna Headwater Streams. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2174. [PMID: 32034267 PMCID: PMC7005862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59207-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Riparian vegetation plays an important role in providing energy to small watercourses and maintaining ecological processes through organic matter input and together with hydrological and geomorphological watercourse characteristics influence on fish assemblages. The goal of this paper was partitioning and quantifying the influence of riparian zone (type of riverbank substrate, bank slope, type of riparian vegetation cover and percentage of riparian vegetation cover on the main channel), physical habitat (stream channel width and depth, type of substrate and aquatic habitat in channel, water velocity and organic matter), water quality (turbidity, temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll concentration) and spatial variables (linear distances between sampled points) on fish assemblages (richness and abundance per species) in headwater streams of the Upper Paraná River basin, Central Brazil. For this purpose, it was performed a variation partitioning analysis between riparian, physical habitat, water and spatial variables sets and a Redundancy Analysis to quantify the influence of variables on the fish assemblages. Only the physical habitat and water quality variables influenced the fish assemblages (richness and abundance per species).
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Bernardi Vieira
- Laboratório de Ictiologia de Altamira - LIA, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Campus Altamira. Rua Coronel José Porfírio 2515, São Sebastião, Altamira, PA, CEP 68372-040, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação - PPGBC, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Campus Altamira. Rua Coronel José Porfírio 2515, São Sebastião, Altamira, PA, CEP 68372-040, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Leonardo Tejerina-Garro
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Programa de Mestrado em Sociedade, Tecnologia e Meio Ambiente, UniEVANGÉLICA, Av. Universitária km. 3,5, Cidade Universitária, Anápolis, GO, CEP 75083-515, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Aquática, Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Biológicas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás - Campus II, Av. Engler s/n, Jardim Mariliza, Goiânia, GO, CEP 74605-010, Brazil
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Multi-Scale Assessment of Relationships between Fragmentation of Riparian Forests and Biological Conditions in Streams. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11185060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Due to anthropogenic activities within watersheds and riparian areas, stream water quality and ecological communities have been significantly affected by degradation of watershed and stream environments. One critical indicator of anthropogenic activities within watersheds and riparian areas is forest fragmentation, which has been directly linked to poor water quality and ecosystem health in streams. However, the true nature of the relationship between forest fragmentation and stream ecosystem health has not been fully elucidated due to its complex underlying mechanism. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of riparian fragmented forest with biological indicators including diatoms, macroinvertebrates, and fish. In addition, we investigated variations in these relationships over multiple riparian scales. Fragmentation metrics, including the number of forest patches (NP), proportion of riparian forest (PLAND), largest riparian forest patch ratio (LPI), and spatial proximity of riparian forest patches (DIVISION), were used to quantify the degree of fragmentation of riparian forests, and the trophic diatom index (TDI), benthic macroinvertebrates index (BMI), and fish assessment index (FAI) were used to represent the biological condition of diatoms, macroinvertebrates, and fish in streams. PLAND and LPI showed positive relationships with TDI, BMI, and FAI, whereas NP and DIVISION were negatively associated with biological indicators at multiple scales. Biological conditions in streams were clearly better when riparian forests were less fragmented. The relationships of NP and PLAND with biological indicators were stronger at a larger riparian scale, whereas relationships of LPI and DIVISION with biological indicators were weaker at a large scale. These results suggest that a much larger spatial range of riparian forests should be considered in forest management and restoration to enhance the biological condition of streams.
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Ilha P, Rosso S, Schiesari L. Effects of deforestation on headwater stream fish assemblages in the Upper Xingu River Basin, Southeastern Amazonia. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The expansion of the Amazonian agricultural frontier represents the most extensive land cover change in the world, detrimentally affecting stream ecosystems which collectively harbor the greatest diversity of freshwater fish on the planet. Our goal was to test the hypotheses that deforestation affects the abundance, richness, and taxonomic structure of headwater stream fish assemblages in the Upper Xingu River Basin, in Southeastern Amazonia. Standardized sampling surveys in replicated first order streams demonstrated that deforestation strongly influences fish assemblage structure. Deforested stream reaches had twice the fish abundance than reference stream reaches in primary forests. These differences in assemblage structure were largely driven by increases in the abundance of a handful of species, as no influence of deforestation on species richness was observed. Stream canopy cover was the strongest predictor of assemblage structure, possibly by a combination of direct and indirect effects on the provision of forest detritus, food resources, channel morphology, and micro-climate regulation. Given the dynamic nature of change in land cover and use in the region, this article is an important contribution to the understanding of the effects of deforestation on Amazonian stream fish, and their conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Ilha
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia, Brazil
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30
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Luke SH, Slade EM, Gray CL, Annammala KV, Drewer J, Williamson J, Agama AL, Ationg M, Mitchell SL, Vairappan CS, Struebig MJ. Riparian buffers in tropical agriculture: Scientific support, effectiveness and directions for policy. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H. Luke
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford Oxford UK
- Lancaster Environment CentreUniversity of Lancaster Lancaster UK
| | | | - Kogila V. Annammala
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA)Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Johor Bahru Malaysia
| | - Julia Drewer
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) Edinburgh UK
| | - Joseph Williamson
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of London London UK
| | - Agnes L. Agama
- South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) Lahad Datu Malaysia
| | - Miklin Ationg
- Department of Irrigation and DrainageWater Resources Management Section Kota Kinabalu Malaysia
| | - Simon L. Mitchell
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
| | - Charles S. Vairappan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and ConservationUniversiti Malaysia Sabah Kota Kinabalu Malaysia
| | - Matthew J. Struebig
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE)School of Anthropology and ConservationUniversity of Kent Canterbury UK
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Macedo DR, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Callisto M. Development and validation of an environmental fragility index (EFI) for the neotropical savannah biome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:1267-1279. [PMID: 29710580 PMCID: PMC6126927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Augmented production and transport of fine sediments resulting from increased human activities are major threats to freshwater ecosystems, including reservoirs and their ecosystem services. To support large scale assessment of the likelihood of soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation, we developed and validated an environmental fragility index (EFI) for the Brazilian neotropical savannah. The EFI was derived from measured geoclimatic controls on sediment production (rainfall, variation of elevation and slope, geology) and anthropogenic pressures (natural cover, road density, distance from roads and urban centers) in 111 catchments upstream of four large hydroelectric reservoirs. We evaluated the effectiveness of the EFI by regressing it against a relative bed stability index (LRBS) that assesses the degree to which stream sites draining into the reservoirs are affected by excess fine sediments. We developed the EFI on 111 of these sites and validated our model on the remaining 37 independent sites. We also compared the effectiveness of the EFI in predicting LRBS with that of a multiple linear regression model (via best-subset procedure) using 7 independent variables. The EFI was significantly correlated with the LRBS, with regression R2 values of 0.32 and 0.40, respectively, in development and validation sites. Although the EFI and multiple regression explained similar amounts of variability (R2 = 0.32 vs 0.36), the EFI had a higher F-ratio (51.6 vs 8.5) and better AICc value (333 vs 338). Because the sites were randomly selected and well-distributed across geoclimatic controlling factors, we were able to calculate spatially-explicit EFI values for all hydrologic units within the study area (~38,500 km2). This model-based inference showed that over 65% of those units had high or extreme fragility. This methodology has great potential for application in the management, recovery, and preservation of hydroelectric reservoirs and streams in tropical river basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego R Macedo
- Departamento de Geografia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Philip R Kaufmann
- Western Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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32
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The future of hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems. Nature 2018; 559:517-526. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0301-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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