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Kim H, Lazurko A, Linney G, Maskell L, Díaz-General E, Březovská RJ, Keune H, Laspidou C, Malinen H, Oinonen S, Raymond J, Rounsevell M, Vaňo S, Venâncio MD, Viesca-Ramirez A, Wijesekera A, Wilson K, Ziliaskopoulos K, Harrison PA. Understanding the role of biodiversity in the climate, food, water, energy, transport and health nexus in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171692. [PMID: 38485013 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171692] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Biodiversity underpins the functioning of ecosystems and the diverse benefits that nature provides to people, yet is being lost at an unprecedented rate. To halt or reverse biodiversity loss, it is critical to understand the complex interdependencies between biodiversity and key drivers and sectors to inform the development of holistic policies and actions. We conducted a literature review on the interlinkages between biodiversity and climate change, food, water, energy, transport and health ("the biodiversity nexus"). Evidence extracted from 194 peer-reviewed articles was analysed to assess how biodiversity is being influenced by and is influencing the other nexus elements. Out of the 354 interlinkages between biodiversity and the other nexus elements, 53 % were negative, 29 % were positive and 18 % contained both positive and negative influences. The majority of studies provide evidence of the negative influence of other nexus elements on biodiversity, highlighting the substantial damage being inflicted on nature from human activities. The main types of negative impacts were land or water use/change, land or water degradation, climate change, and direct species fatalities through collisions with infrastructure. Alternatively, evidence of biodiversity having a negative influence on the other nexus elements was limited to the effects of invasive alien species and vector-borne diseases. Furthermore, a range of studies provided evidence of how biodiversity and the other nexus elements can have positive influences on each other through practices that promote co-benefits. These included biodiversity-friendly management in relevant sectors, protection and restoration of ecosystems and species that provide essential ecosystem services, green and blue infrastructure including nature-based solutions, and sustainable and healthy diets that mitigate climate change. The review highlighted the complexity and context-dependency of interlinkages within the biodiversity nexus, but clearly demonstrates the importance of biodiversity in underpinning resilient ecosystems and human well-being in ensuring a sustainable future for people and the planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- HyeJin Kim
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK.
| | - Anita Lazurko
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - George Linney
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Lindsay Maskell
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Elizabeth Díaz-General
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Romana Jungwirth Březovská
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Charles University, Faculty of Humanities, Pátkova 2137/5, 182 00 Praha 8 - Libeň, Czech Republic
| | - Hans Keune
- Chair Care and the Natural Living Environment, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Chrysi Laspidou
- Civil Engineering Department, University of Thessaly, Volos 38334, Greece; Sustainable Development Unit, ATHENA Research Center, Marousi 15125, Greece
| | - Henna Malinen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Soile Oinonen
- Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joanna Raymond
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Mark Rounsevell
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; Institute for Geography & Geo-ecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simeon Vaňo
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 94974 Nitra, Slovakia
| | | | - Alejandrina Viesca-Ramirez
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ayesha Wijesekera
- United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Wilson
- United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Ziliaskopoulos
- Civil Engineering Department, University of Thessaly, Volos 38334, Greece; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa 41500, Greece
| | - Paula A Harrison
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
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Franklin PA, Bašić T, Davison PI, Dunkley K, Ellis J, Gangal M, González-Ferreras AM, Gutmann Roberts C, Hunt G, Joyce D, Klöcker CA, Mawer R, Rittweg T, Stoilova V, Gutowsky LFG. Aquatic connectivity: challenges and solutions in a changing climate. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38584261 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The challenge of managing aquatic connectivity in a changing climate is exacerbated in the presence of additional anthropogenic stressors, social factors, and economic drivers. Here we discuss these issues in the context of structural and functional connectivity for aquatic biodiversity, specifically fish, in both the freshwater and marine realms. We posit that adaptive management strategies that consider shifting baselines and the socio-ecological implications of climate change will be required to achieve management objectives. The role of renewable energy expansion, particularly hydropower, is critically examined for its impact on connectivity. We advocate for strategic spatial planning that incorporates nature-positive solutions, ensuring climate mitigation efforts are harmonized with biodiversity conservation. We underscore the urgency of integrating robust scientific modelling with stakeholder values to define clear, adaptive management objectives. Finally, we call for innovative monitoring and predictive decision-making tools to navigate the uncertainties inherent in a changing climate, with the goal of ensuring the resilience and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Franklin
- National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Tea Bašić
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, UK
| | - Phil I Davison
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, UK
| | - Katie Dunkley
- Christ's College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Ellis
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mayuresh Gangal
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, India
| | - Alexia M González-Ferreras
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria. C/Isabel Torres 15, Santander, Spain
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | | | - Georgina Hunt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Domino Joyce
- Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - C Antonia Klöcker
- Institute of Marine Research, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rachel Mawer
- Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Timo Rittweg
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Division of Integrative Fisheries Management, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany
| | - Velizara Stoilova
- Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
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3
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Cooke SJ, Bergman JN, Twardek WM, Piczak ML, Casselberry GA, Lutek K, Dahlmo LS, Birnie-Gauvin K, Griffin LP, Brownscombe JW, Raby GD, Standen EM, Horodysky AZ, Johnsen S, Danylchuk AJ, Furey NB, Gallagher AJ, Lédée EJI, Midwood JD, Gutowsky LFG, Jacoby DMP, Matley JK, Lennox RJ. The movement ecology of fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:756-779. [PMID: 35788929 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Movement of fishes in the aquatic realm is fundamental to their ecology and survival. Movement can be driven by a variety of biological, physiological and environmental factors occurring across all spatial and temporal scales. The intrinsic capacity of movement to impact fish individually (e.g., foraging) with potential knock-on effects throughout the ecosystem (e.g., food web dynamics) has garnered considerable interest in the field of movement ecology. The advancement of technology in recent decades, in combination with ever-growing threats to freshwater and marine systems, has further spurred empirical research and theoretical considerations. Given the rapid expansion within the field of movement ecology and its significant role in informing management and conservation efforts, a contemporary and multidisciplinary review about the various components influencing movement is outstanding. Using an established conceptual framework for movement ecology as a guide (i.e., Nathan et al., 2008: 19052), we synthesized the environmental and individual factors that affect the movement of fishes. Specifically, internal (e.g., energy acquisition, endocrinology, and homeostasis) and external (biotic and abiotic) environmental elements are discussed, as well as the different processes that influence individual-level (or population) decisions, such as navigation cues, motion capacity, propagation characteristics and group behaviours. In addition to environmental drivers and individual movement factors, we also explored how associated strategies help survival by optimizing physiological and other biological states. Next, we identified how movement ecology is increasingly being incorporated into management and conservation by highlighting the inherent benefits that spatio-temporal fish behaviour imbues into policy, regulatory, and remediation planning. Finally, we considered the future of movement ecology by evaluating ongoing technological innovations and both the challenges and opportunities that these advancements create for scientists and managers. As aquatic ecosystems continue to face alarming climate (and other human-driven) issues that impact animal movements, the comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of movement ecology will be instrumental in developing plans to guide research and promote sustainability measures for aquatic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordanna N Bergman
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - William M Twardek
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Morgan L Piczak
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grace A Casselberry
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keegan Lutek
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lotte S Dahlmo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kim Birnie-Gauvin
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Lucas P Griffin
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob W Brownscombe
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham D Raby
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily M Standen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrij Z Horodysky
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, USA
| | - Sönke Johnsen
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Caroline, USA
| | - Andy J Danylchuk
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan B Furey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Elodie J I Lédée
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jon D Midwood
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lee F G Gutowsky
- Environmental & Life Sciences Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - David M P Jacoby
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jordan K Matley
- Program in Aquatic Resources, St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Robert J Lennox
- Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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Forio MAE, Burdon FJ, De Troyer N, Lock K, Witing F, Baert L, De Saeyer N, Rîșnoveanu G, Popescu C, Kupilas B, Friberg N, Boets P, Johnson RK, Volk M, McKie BG, Goethals PLM. A Bayesian Belief Network learning tool integrates multi-scale effects of riparian buffers on stream invertebrates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 810:152146. [PMID: 34864036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Riparian forest buffers have multiple benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem services in both freshwater and terrestrial habitats but are rarely implemented in water ecosystem management, partly reflecting the lack of information on the effectiveness of this measure. In this context, social learning is valuable to inform stakeholders of the efficacy of riparian vegetation in mitigating stream degradation. We aim to develop a Bayesian belief network (BBN) model for application as a learning tool to simulate and assess the reach- and segment-scale effects of riparian vegetation properties and land use on instream invertebrates. We surveyed reach-scale riparian conditions, extracted segment-scale riparian and subcatchment land use information from geographic information system data, and collected macroinvertebrate samples from four catchments in Europe (Belgium, Norway, Romania, and Sweden). We modelled the ecological condition based on the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) index, a macroinvertebrate-based index widely used in European bioassessment, as a function of different riparian variables using the BBN modelling approach. The results of the model simulations provided insights into the usefulness of riparian vegetation attributes in enhancing the ecological condition, with reach-scale riparian vegetation quality associated with the strongest improvements in ecological status. Specifically, reach-scale buffer vegetation of score 3 (i.e. moderate quality) generally results in the highest probability of a good ASPT score (99-100%). In contrast, a site with a narrow width of riparian trees and a small area of trees with reach-scale buffer vegetation of score 1 (i.e. low quality) predicts a high probability of a bad ASPT score (74%). The strengths of the BBN model are the ease of interpretation, fast simulation, ability to explicitly indicate uncertainty in model outcomes, and interactivity. These merits point to the potential use of the BBN model in workshop activities to stimulate key learning processes that help inform the management of riparian zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Anne Eurie Forio
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Francis J Burdon
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden; Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
| | - Niels De Troyer
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Lock
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felix Witing
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Lotte Baert
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Nancy De Saeyer
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Geta Rîșnoveanu
- Department of Systems Ecology and Sustainability, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Cristina Popescu
- Department of Systems Ecology and Sustainability, University of Bucharest, 050095 Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Benjamin Kupilas
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), 0349 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), 0349 Oslo, Norway; Freshwater Biological Section, Department of Biology, Universitetsparken 4, 3rd floor, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; water@leeds, School of Geography, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Pieter Boets
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Provincial Centre of Environmental Research, Godshuizenlaan 95, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Richard K Johnson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Volk
- Department of Computational Landscape Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Brendan G McKie
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Peter L M Goethals
- Aquatic Ecology Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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5
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Harper M, Rytwinski T, Taylor JJ, Bennett JR, Smokorowski KE, Olden JD, Clarke KD, Pratt T, Fisher N, Leake A, Cooke SJ. How do changes in flow magnitude due to hydropower operations affect fish abundance and biomass in temperate regions? A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2022; 11:3. [PMID: 35136590 PMCID: PMC8813579 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-021-00254-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altering the natural flow regime, an essential component of healthy fluvial systems, through hydropower operations has the potential to negatively impact freshwater fish populations. Establishing improved management of flow regimes requires better understanding of how fish respond to altered flow components, such as flow magnitude. Based on the results of a recent systematic map on the impacts of flow regime changes on direct outcomes of freshwater or estuarine fish productivity, evidence clusters on fish abundance and biomass responses were identified for full systematic review. The primary goal of this systematic review is to address one of those evidence clusters, with the following research question: how do changes in flow magnitude due to hydropower operations affect fish abundance and biomass? METHODS This review follows the guidelines of the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence. It examined commercially published and grey literature originally identified during the systematic map process and a systematic search update. All articles were screened using an a priori eligibility criteria at two stages (title and abstract, and full-text) and consistency checks were performed at all stages. All eligible articles were assessed for study validity and specifically designed data extraction and study validity tools were used. A narrative synthesis included all available evidence and meta-analysis using the standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) was conducted where appropriate. REVIEW FINDINGS A total of 133 studies from 103 articles were included in this systematic review for data extraction and critical appraisal. Most studies were from North America (60%) and were conducted at 146 different hydropower dams/facilities. Meta-analysis included 268 datasets from 58 studies, separated into three analyses based on replication type [temporal (within or between year replication) or spatial]. Fish abundance (226 datasets) and biomass (30 datasets) had variable responses to changes in flow magnitude with estimated overall mean effect sizes ranging from positive to negative and varying by study design and taxa. In studies with temporal replication, we found a detectable effect of alterations to the direction of flow magnitude, the presence of other flow components, sampling methods, season, and fish life stage. However, we found no detectable effect of these moderators for studies with spatial replication. Taxonomic analyses indicated variable responses to changes in flow magnitude and a bias towards salmonid species. CONCLUSIONS This synthesis did not find consistent patterns in fish abundance or biomass responses to alterations or changes in flow magnitude. Fish responses to flow magnitude alterations or changes were highly variable and context dependent. Our synthesis suggests that biotic responses may not be generalizable across systems impacted by hydroelectric power production and operations, where specific features of the system may be highly influential. Site-specific and adaptive management may be necessary. To improve study validity and interpretability, studies with long-term continuous monitoring, and both temporal and spatial replication are needed. When this gold standard is unfeasible, studies should strive, at minimum, to maximize replication within both intervention and comparator groups for either temporal or spatial designs. To further address knowledge gaps, studies are needed that focus on non-salmonids, multiple seasons, and systems outside of North America. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13750-021-00254-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Harper
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Trina Rytwinski
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Jessica J. Taylor
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Joseph R. Bennett
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Karen E. Smokorowski
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada
| | - Julian D. Olden
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Keith D. Clarke
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John’s, NF Canada
| | - Tom Pratt
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sault Ste. Marie, ON Canada
| | - Neil Fisher
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB Canada
| | - Alf Leake
- BC Hydro Environment, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
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6
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Mattsson L, Sörenson E, Capo E, Farnelid HM, Hirwa M, Olofsson M, Svensson F, Lindehoff E, Legrand C. Functional Diversity Facilitates Stability Under Environmental Changes in an Outdoor Microalgal Cultivation System. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:651895. [PMID: 33968914 PMCID: PMC8100445 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.651895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Functionally uniform monocultures have remained the paradigm in microalgal cultivation despite the apparent challenges to avoid invasions by other microorganisms. A mixed microbial consortium approach has the potential to optimize and maintain biomass production despite of seasonal changes and to be more resilient toward contaminations. Here we present a 3-year outdoor production of mixed consortia of locally adapted microalgae and bacteria in cold temperate latitude. Microalgal consortia were cultivated in flat panel photobioreactors using brackish Baltic Sea water and CO2 from a cement factory (Degerhamn, Cementa AB, Heidelberg Cement Group) as a sustainable CO2 source. To evaluate the ability of the microbial consortia to maintain stable biomass production while exposed to seasonal changes in both light and temperature, we tracked changes in the microbial community using molecular methods (16S and 18S rDNA amplicon sequencing) and monitored the biomass production and quality (lipid, protein, and carbohydrate content) over 3 years. Despite changes in environmental conditions, the mixed consortia maintained stable biomass production by alternating between two different predominant green microalgae (Monoraphidium and Mychonastes) with complementary tolerance to temperature. The bacterial population was few taxa co-occured over time and the composition did not have any connection to the shifts in microalgal taxa. We propose that a locally adapted and mixed microalgal consortia, with complementary traits, can be useful for optimizing yield of commercial scale microalgal cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Mattsson
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Eva Sörenson
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Eric Capo
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hanna Maria Farnelid
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Maurice Hirwa
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Axis Communications, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Fredrik Svensson
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Elin Lindehoff
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Catherine Legrand
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Centre of Ecology and Evolution and Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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7
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Erős T, Czeglédi I, Tóth R, Schmera D. Multiple stressor effects on alpha, beta and zeta diversity of riverine fish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141407. [PMID: 32818892 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141407] [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: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We examined the effects of regional scale land use and local scale environmental and biotic stressors on alpha, beta and zeta diversities of native fish communities in wadeable streams and non-wadeable rivers in the Danube basin, Hungary. Relationships among land use and local scale environmental and biotic stressors were weak both in streams and rivers, suggesting that these stressors act relatively independently. Alpha diversity decreased strongly with increasing local scale environmental stressor intensity in rivers. On the contrary, its response to stressors was more obscure in streams, where the best-fit statistical model indicated the importance of the interaction between land use, local scale environmental and biotic stressors, while the secondly ranked model highlighted the negative impact of local scale environmental stressors. Analysis of variance using distance matrices provided evidence that stressors alone and in interactions explained compositional differences of pairs of study sites (beta diversity). Considering the degree of overall degradation, both local (alpha) and among-site (beta and zeta) diversity indices responded to increasing stressor intensity, generally negatively. Riverine fish communities showed higher degrees of similarity (lower beta and higher zeta) than stream fish communities. They also showed increasing similarity (i.e. homogenization) with increasing overall stressor intensity, unlike stream fish communities, which showed no relationship with overall stressor intensity. Our results suggest that the relationships between land use and local scale environmental and biotic stressors can be complex and so do their effects on biodiversity. While stressor specific indices can provide information on the role of specific stressors in some cases, the examination of overall stressor effects is needed to assess realistically the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on native fish diversity. Diversity indices that quantify among-site changes in species composition, such as measures of beta and zeta diversity, can be fruitful for better understanding the role of multiple stressors in structuring ecological communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Erős
- Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, H-8237 Tihany, Hungary; Centre for Ecological Research, GINOP Sustainable Ecosystems Group, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, H-8237 Tihany, Hungary.
| | - István Czeglédi
- Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Rita Tóth
- University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Biology, Rottenbiller u. 50, H-1077 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dénes Schmera
- Centre for Ecological Research, Balaton Limnological Institute, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, H-8237 Tihany, Hungary; Centre for Ecological Research, GINOP Sustainable Ecosystems Group, Klebelsberg K. u. 3, H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
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8
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Truchy A, Sarremejane R, Muotka T, Mykrä H, Angeler DG, Lehosmaa K, Huusko A, Johnson RK, Sponseller RA, McKie BG. Habitat patchiness, ecological connectivity and the uneven recovery of boreal stream ecosystems from an experimental drought. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3455-3472. [PMID: 32124522 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing climate change is increasing the occurrence and intensity of drought episodes worldwide, including in boreal regions not previously regarded as drought prone, and where the impacts of drought remain poorly understood. Ecological connectivity is one factor that might influence community structure and ecosystem functioning post-drought, by facilitating the recovery of sensitive species via dispersal at both local (e.g. a nearby habitat patch) and regional (from other systems within the same region) scales. In an outdoor mesocosm experiment, we investigated how impacts of drought on boreal stream ecosystems are altered by the spatial arrangement of local habitat patches within stream channels, and variation in ecological connectivity with a regional species pool. We measured basal ecosystem processes underlying carbon and nutrient cycling: (a) algal biomass accrual; (b) microbial respiration; and (c) decomposition of organic matter, and sampled communities of aquatic fungi and benthic invertebrates. An 8-day drought event had strong impacts on both community structure and ecosystem functioning, including algal accrual, leaf decomposition and microbial respiration, with many of these impacts persisting even after water levels had been restored for 3.5 weeks. Enhanced connectivity with the regional species pool and increased aggregation of habitat patches also affected multiple response variables, especially those associated with microbes, and in some cases reduced the effects of drought to a small extent. This indicates that spatial processes might play a role in the resilience of communities and ecosystem functioning, given enough time. These effects were however insufficient to facilitate significant recovery in algal growth before seasonal dieback began in autumn. The limited resilience of ecosystem functioning in our experiment suggests that even short-term droughts can have extended consequences for stream ecosystems in the world's vast boreal region, and especially on the ecosystem processes and services mediated by algal biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Truchy
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Romain Sarremejane
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Timo Muotka
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Oulu, Finland
| | - Heikki Mykrä
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Oulu, Finland
| | - David G Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Kaisa Lehosmaa
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ari Huusko
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Paltamo, Finland
| | - Richard K Johnson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ryan A Sponseller
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Brendan G McKie
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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9
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Assessing the Benefits of Forested Riparian Zones: A Qualitative Index of Riparian Integrity Is Positively Associated with Ecological Status in European Streams. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12041178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Developing a general, predictive understanding of ecological systems requires knowing how much structural and functional relationships can cross scales and contexts. Here, we introduce the CROSSLINK project that investigates the role of forested riparian buffers in modified European landscapes by measuring a wide range of ecosystem attributes in stream-riparian networks. CROSSLINK involves replicated field measurements in four case-study basins with varying levels of human development: Norway (Oslo Fjord), Sweden (Lake Mälaren), Belgium (Zwalm River), and Romania (Argeş River). Nested within these case-study basins include multiple, independent stream-site pairs with a forested riparian buffer and unbuffered section located upstream, as well as headwater and downstream sites to show cumulative land-use impacts. CROSSLINK applies existing and bespoke methods to describe habitat conditions, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Here, we summarize the approaches used, detail protocols in supplementary materials, and explain how data is applied in an optimization framework to better manage tradeoffs in multifunctional landscapes. We then present results demonstrating the range of riparian conditions present in our case-study basins and how these environmental states influence stream ecological integrity with the commonly used macroinvertebrate Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) index. We demonstrate that a qualitative index of riparian integrity can be positively associated with stream ecological status. This introduction to the CROSSLINK project shows the potential for our replicated study with its panoply of ecosystem attributes to help guide management decisions regarding the use of forested riparian buffers in human-impacted landscapes. This knowledge is highly relevant in a time of rapid environmental change where freshwater biodiversity is increasingly under pressure from a range of human impacts that include habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
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