1
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Jarman S, Alexander JB, Dawkins KL, Lukehurst SS, Nester GM, Wilkinson S, Marnane MJ, McDonald JI, Elsdon TS, Harvey ES. Marine eDNA sampling from submerged surfaces with paint rollers. Mar Genomics 2024; 76:101127. [PMID: 38905943 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2024.101127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses of species present in marine environments is the most effective biological diversity measurement tool currently available. eDNA sampling methods are an intrinsically important part of the eDNA biodiversity analysis process. Identification and development of eDNA sampling methods that are as rapid, affordable, versatile and practical as possible will improve rates of detection of marine species. Optimal outcomes of eDNA biodiversity surveys come from studies employing high levels of sampling replication, so any methods that make sampling faster and cheaper will improve scientific outcomes. eDNA sampling methods that can be applied more widely will also enable sampling from a greater range of marine surface micro-habitats, resulting in detection of a wider range of organisms. In this study, we compared diversity detection by several methods for sampling eDNA from submerged marine surfaces: polyurethane foam, nylon swabs, microfibre paint rollers, and sediment scoops. All of the methods produced a diverse range of species identifications, with >250 multicellular species represented by eDNA at the study site. We found that widely-available small paint rollers were an effective, readily available and affordable method for sampling eDNA from underwater marine surfaces. This approach enables the sampling of marine eDNA using extended poles, or potentially by remotely operated vehicles, where surface sampling by hand is impractical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Jarman
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; eDNA Frontiers, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
| | - Jason B Alexander
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | | | | | - Georgia M Nester
- Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Shaun Wilkinson
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Wilderlab, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Marnane
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Chevron Technical Center, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Justin I McDonald
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Sustainability and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Hillarys, 6025, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Travis S Elsdon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia; Chevron Technical Center, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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2
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Repetto MF, Torchin ME, Ruiz GM, Schlöder C, Freestone AL. Biogeographic and seasonal differences in consumer pressure underlie strong predation in the tropics. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240868. [PMID: 38955327 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Biotic interactions play a critical role in shaping patterns of global biodiversity. While several macroecological studies provide evidence for stronger predation in tropical regions compared with higher latitudes, results are variable even within the tropics, and the drivers of this variability are not well understood. We conducted two complementary standardized experiments on communities of sessile marine invertebrate prey and their associated predators to test for spatial and seasonal differences in predation across the tropical Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of Panama. We further tested the prediction that higher predator diversity contributes to stronger impacts of predation, using both direct observations of predators and data from extensive reef surveys. Our results revealed substantially higher predation rates and stronger effects of predators on prey in the Pacific than in the Atlantic, demonstrating striking variation within tropical regions. While regional predator diversity was high in the Atlantic, functional diversity at local scales was markedly low. Peak predation strength in the Pacific occurred during the wet, non-upwelling season when ocean temperatures were warmer and predator communities were more functionally diverse. Our results highlight the importance of regional biotic and abiotic drivers that shape interaction strength and the maintenance of tropical communities, which are experiencing rapid environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele F Repetto
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028, USA
| | - Mark E Torchin
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Gregory M Ruiz
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028, USA
| | - Carmen Schlöder
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Amy L Freestone
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028, USA
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3
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Betancourtt C, Catalán AM, Morales-Torres DF, Lopez DN, Escares-Aguilera V, Salas-Yanquin LP, Büchner-Miranda JA, Chaparro OR, Nimptsch J, Broitman BR, Valdivia N. Transient species driving ecosystem multifunctionality: Insights from competitive interactions between rocky intertidal mussels. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 196:106422. [PMID: 38437777 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106422] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic biodiversity loss poses a significant threat to ecosystem functioning worldwide. Numerically dominant and locally rare (i.e., transient) species are key components of biodiversity, but their contribution to multiple ecosystem functions (i.e., multifunctionality) has been seldomly assessed in marine ecosystems. To fill this gap, here we analyze the effects of a dominant and a transient species on ecosystem multifunctionality. In an observational study conducted along ca. 200 km of the southeastern Pacific coast, the purple mussel Perumytilus purpuratus numerically dominated the mid-intertidal and the dwarf mussel Semimytilus patagonicus exhibited low abundances but higher recruitment rates. In laboratory experiments, the relative abundances of both species were manipulated to simulate the replacement of P. purpuratus by S. patagonicus and five proxies for ecosystem functions-rates of clearance, oxygen consumption, total biodeposit, organic biodeposit, and excretion-were analyzed. This replacement had a positive, linear, and significant effect on the combined ecosystem functions, particularly oxygen consumption and excretion rates. Accordingly, S. patagonicus could well drive ecosystem functioning given favorable environmental conditions for its recovery from rarity. Our study highlights therefore the key role of transient species for ecosystem performance. Improving our understanding of these dynamics is crucial for effective ecosystem conservation, especially in the current scenario of biological extinctions and invasions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Betancourtt
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Alexis M Catalán
- Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia, CIEP, Coyhaique, Chile
| | - Diego F Morales-Torres
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Daniela N Lopez
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valentina Escares-Aguilera
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Luis P Salas-Yanquin
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Ciencias, Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación, Sisal, Mexico
| | - Joseline A Büchner-Miranda
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Oscar R Chaparro
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jorge Nimptsch
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Bernardo R Broitman
- Instituto Milenio en Socio-Ecología Costera (SECOS), Chile; Núcleo Milenio UPWELL, Chile; Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Viña Del Mar, Chile
| | - Nelson Valdivia
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja, Valdivia, Chile; Centro FONDAP de Investigación de Dinámicas de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes (IDEAL), Chile
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4
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Pappalardo P, Song C, Hungate BA, Osenberg CW. A meta-evaluation of the quality of reporting and execution in ecological meta-analyses. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292606. [PMID: 37824448 PMCID: PMC10569516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitatively summarizing results from a collection of primary studies with meta-analysis can help answer ecological questions and identify knowledge gaps. The accuracy of the answers depends on the quality of the meta-analysis. We reviewed the literature assessing the quality of ecological meta-analyses to evaluate current practices and highlight areas that need improvement. From each of the 18 review papers that evaluated the quality of meta-analyses, we calculated the percentage of meta-analyses that met criteria related to specific steps taken in the meta-analysis process (i.e., execution) and the clarity with which those steps were articulated (i.e., reporting). We also re-evaluated all the meta-analyses available from Pappalardo et al. [1] to extract new information on ten additional criteria and to assess how the meta-analyses recognized and addressed non-independence. In general, we observed better performance for criteria related to reporting than for criteria related to execution; however, there was a wide variation among criteria and meta-analyses. Meta-analyses had low compliance with regard to correcting for phylogenetic non-independence, exploring temporal trends in effect sizes, and conducting a multifactorial analysis of moderators (i.e., explanatory variables). In addition, although most meta-analyses included multiple effect sizes per study, only 66% acknowledged some type of non-independence. The types of non-independence reported were most often related to the design of the original experiment (e.g., the use of a shared control) than to other sources (e.g., phylogeny). We suggest that providing specific training and encouraging authors to follow the PRISMA EcoEvo checklist recently developed by O'Dea et al. [2] can improve the quality of ecological meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pappalardo
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Tiburon, California, United States of America
| | - Chao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bruce A. Hungate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Craig W. Osenberg
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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5
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Bell JJ, Strano F, Broadribb M, Wood G, Harris B, Resende AC, Novak E, Micaroni V. Sponge functional roles in a changing world. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2023; 95:27-89. [PMID: 37923539 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are ecologically important benthic organisms with many important functional roles. However, despite increasing global interest in the functions that sponges perform, there has been limited focus on how such functions will be impacted by different anthropogenic stressors. In this review, we describe the progress that has been made in our understanding of the functional roles of sponges over the last 15 years and consider the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on these roles. We split sponge functional roles into interactions with the water column and associations with other organisms. We found evidence for an increasing focus on functional roles among sponge-focused research articles, with our understanding of sponge-mediated nutrient cycling increasing substantially in recent years. From the information available, many anthropogenic stressors have the potential to negatively impact sponge pumping, and therefore have the potential to cause ecosystem level impacts. While our understanding of the importance of sponges has increased in the last 15 years, much more experimental work is required to fully understand how sponges will contribute to reef ecosystem function in future changing oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Francesca Strano
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Manon Broadribb
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gabriela Wood
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Ben Harris
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Anna Carolina Resende
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emma Novak
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Valerio Micaroni
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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6
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Mancuso FP, Giommi C, Mangano MC, Airoldi L, Helmuth B, Sarà G. Evenness, biodiversity, and ecosystem function of intertidal communities along the Italian coasts: Experimental short-term response to ambient and extreme air temperatures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:160037. [PMID: 36356730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity can promote ecosystem functioning in both terrestrial and marine environments, emphasizing the necessity of biodiversity conservation in order to preserve critical ecosystem functions and associated services. However, the role of biodiversity in buffering ecosystem functioning under extreme events caused by climate change remains a major scientific issue, especially for intertidal systems experiencing stressors from both terrestrial and marine drivers. We performed a regional-scale field experiment along the Italian coast to investigate the response of unmanipulated intertidal communities (by using a natural biodiversity gradient) to low tide aerial exposure to both ambient and short-term extreme temperatures. We specifically investigated the relationship between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) using different biodiversity indexes (species richness, functional diversity and evenness) and the response of the intertidal communities' ecosystem functioning (community respiration rates). Furthermore, we investigated which other environmental variables could influence the BEF relationship. We show that evenness explained a greater variation in intertidal community ecosystem functioning under both temperature conditions. Species richness (the most often used diversity metric in BEF research) was unrelated to ecosystem functioning, while functional diversity was significantly related to respiration under ambient but not extreme temperatures. We highlight the importance of the short-term thermal history of the communities (measured as body temperature) in the BEF relationship as it was consistently identified as the best predictor or response under both temperature conditions. However, Chlorophyll a in seawater and variation in sea surface temperature also contributed to the BEF relationship under ambient but not under extreme conditions, showing that short-duration climate-driven events can overcome local physiological adaptations. Our findings support the importance of the BEF relationship in intertidal communities, implying that systems with more diverse and homogeneous communities may be able to mitigate the effects of extreme temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Paolo Mancuso
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.
| | - Chiara Giommi
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CRIMAC, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mangano
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Dipartimento Ecologia Marina Integrata, Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo (complesso Roosevelt), 90142 Palermo, Italy
| | - Laura Airoldi
- Department of Biology, Chioggia Hydrobiological Station Umberto D'Ancona, University of Padova, 30015 Chioggia, Italy; University of Bologna, Dipartimento di Beni Culturali & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), UO CoNISMa, Via S. Alberto, 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
| | - Brian Helmuth
- Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA 01908, USA
| | - Gianluca Sarà
- Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy
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7
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Quantification of catch composition in fisheries: A methodology and its application to compare biodegradable and nylon gillnets. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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8
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Ramus AP, Lefcheck JS, Long ZT. Foundational biodiversity effects propagate through coastal food webs via multiple pathways. Ecology 2022; 103:e3796. [PMID: 35724974 PMCID: PMC9787374 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Relatively few studies have attempted to resolve the pathways through which the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning cascade from one trophic level to another. Here, we manipulated the richness of habitat-forming seaweeds in a western Atlantic estuary to explore how changes in foundation species diversity affect the structure and functioning of the benthic consumer communities that they support. Structural equation modeling revealed that macroalgal richness enhanced invertebrate abundance, biomass, and diversity, both directly by changing the quality and palatability of the foundational substrate and indirectly by increasing the total biomass of available habitat. Consumer responses were largely driven by a single foundational seaweed, although stronger complementarity among macroalgae was observed for invertebrate richness. These findings with diverse foundational phyla extend earlier inferences from terrestrial grasslands by showing that biodiversity effects can simultaneously propagate through multiple independent pathways to maintain animal foodwebs. Our work also highlights the potential ramifications of human-induced changes in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P. Ramus
- Department of Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jonathan S. Lefcheck
- Tennenbaum Marine Observatories NetworkMarineGEO, Smithsonian Environmental Research CenterEdgewaterMarylandUSA
| | - Zachary T. Long
- Department of Biology and Marine BiologyUniversity of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonNorth CarolinaUSA
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9
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Weinert M, Kröncke I, Meyer J, Mathis M, Pohlmann T, Reiss H. Benthic ecosystem functioning under climate change: modelling the bioturbation potential for benthic key species in the southern North Sea. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14105. [PMID: 36317120 PMCID: PMC9617549 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change affects the marine environment on many levels with profound consequences for numerous biological, chemical, and physical processes. Benthic bioturbation is one of the most relevant and significant processes for benthic-pelagic coupling and biogeochemical fluxes in marine sediments, such as the uptake, transport, and remineralisation of organic carbon. However, only little is known about how climate change affects the distribution and intensity of benthic bioturbation of a shallow temperate shelf sea system such as the southern North Sea. In this study, we modelled and projected changes in bioturbation potential (BPp) under a continuous global warming scenario for seven southern North Sea key bioturbators: Abra alba, Amphiura filiformis, Callianassa subterranea, Echinocardium cordatum, Goniada maculata, Nephtys hombergii, and Nucula nitidosa. Spatial changes in species bioturbation intensity are simulated for the years 2050 and 2099 based on one species distribution model per species driven by bottom temperature and salinity changes using the IPCC SRES scenario A1B. Local mean bottom temperature was projected to increase between 0.15 and 5.4 °C, while mean bottom salinity was projected to moderately decrease by 1.7. Our results show that the considered benthic species are strongly influenced by the temperature increase. Although the total BP remained rather constant in the southern North Sea, the BPp for four out of seven species was projected to increase, mainly due to a simultaneous northward range expansion, while the BPp in the core area of the southern North Sea declined for the same species. Bioturbation of the most important species, Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum, showed no substantial change in the spatial distribution, but over time. The BPp of E. cordatum remained almost constant until 2099, while the BPp of A. filiformis decreased by 41%. The northward expansion of some species and the decline of most species in the south led to a change of relative contribution to bioturbation in the southern North Sea. These results indicate that some of the selected key bioturbators in the southern North Sea might partly compensate the decrease in bioturbation by others. But especially in the depositional areas where bioturbation plays a specifically important role for ecosystem functioning, bioturbation potential declined until 2099, which might affect the biochemical cycling in sediments of some areas of the southern North Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Weinert
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
| | - Ingrid Kröncke
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Julia Meyer
- Department for Marine Research, Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven, Germany,Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Mathis
- Institute of Coastal Systems, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Thomas Pohlmann
- Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henning Reiss
- Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, Norway
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10
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Stressors Increase the Impacts of Coastal Macrofauna Biodiversity Loss on Ecosystem Multifunctionality. Ecosystems 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-022-00775-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThere is substantial evidence that biodiversity underpins ecosystem functioning, but it is unclear how these relationships change with multiple stressors in complex real-world settings. Coastal zones are affected by numerous stressors (for example, sediment input and nutrient runoff from land) and the cumulative effects of these stressors may result in pronounced and unexpected changes in the functioning of ecosystems. To investigate the cumulative effects of turbidity and elevated nutrients on coastal biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, we performed a large-scale field experiment manipulating in situ sediment porewater ammonium concentrations and measured multiple ecosystem functions related to carbon fixation and mineralisation in 15 estuaries with varying levels of turbidity. The results indicated that the benthic macrofauna diversity (species richness, abundance, and functional richness) declined with increased porewater ammonium concentrations and there were clear thresholds in light levels at the seafloor in relation to the biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. Multifunctionality indices (an integrated index of all measured functions) in moderately turbid and turbid estuaries (daily mean seafloor PAR < 420 µmol m−2 s−1) decreased with the loss of macrofauna biodiversity. Functioning in low-turbidity estuaries (daily mean PAR > 420 µmol m−2 s−1) however remained relatively constant, suggesting that they were more resilient against the nutrient-induced biodiversity loss. Our results demonstrate that ecosystems already stressed by stressors that alter functional performance (turbidity) may be more prone to loss of overall functioning if biodiversity is reduced by another stressor (nutrient enrichment), highlighting the potential snowballing effects of cumulative change.
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11
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Goodridge Gaines LA, Henderson CJ, Mosman JD, Olds AD, Borland HP, Gilby BL. Seascape context matters more than habitat condition for fish assemblages in coastal ecosystems. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jesse D. Mosman
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Andrew D. Olds
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Hayden P. Borland
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
| | - Ben L. Gilby
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
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12
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Herrmann B, Cerbule K, Brčić J, Grimaldo E, Geoffroy M, Daase M, Berge J. Accounting for Uncertainties in Biodiversity Estimations: A New Methodology and Its Application to the Mesopelagic Sound Scattering Layer of the High Arctic. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.775759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Measures of biological diversity (biodiversity) are important for monitoring the state of ecosystems. Several indices and methods are used to describe biodiversity from field observations. Marine faunal biodiversity is often quantified based on analysis of samples collected using a trawl during research surveys. To monitor spatial and temporal changes in biodiversity between surveys, samples are generally collected from a series of stations. Inference regarding changes in biodiversity must account for uncertainties in the estimation of the values for the different biodiversity indices used. Estimation for a single station is affected by spatial-temporal variation in the species composition in the area and by uncertainty due to the finite sample size taken by the trawl. Therefore, variation between stations needs to be accounted for when estimating uncertainty for values of different indices during a survey as total or as mean for the survey. Herein, we present a method based on nested bootstrapping that accounts for uncertainties in the estimation of various indices and which can be used to infer changes in biodiversity. Application of this methodology is demonstrated using data collected in the mesopelagic sound scattering layer in the high Arctic.
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13
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Jiang C, Sun XR, Feng J, Zhu SF, Shui W. Metagenomic analysis reveals the different characteristics of microbial communities inside and outside the karst tiankeng. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:115. [PMID: 35473500 PMCID: PMC9040234 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Karst tiankengs serve as a reservoir of biodiversity in the degraded karst landscape areas. However, the microbial diversity of karst tiankengs is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the composition and function of the microbial community in a karst tiankeng. Results We found that habitat differences inside and outside the karst tiankeng changed the composition and structure of the soil microbial communities, and the dominant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. The Shannon–Wiener diversity of microbial communities inside and outside the tiankeng was significantly different, and it was higher inside the tiankeng (IT). Venn and LEfSe analysis found that the soil microbial communities inside the tiankeng had 640 more endemic species and 39 more biomarker microbial clades than those identified outside of the tiankeng (OT)..Functional prediction indicated that soil microorganisms in outside the tiankeng had a high potential for carbohydrate metabolism, translation and amino acid metabolism. There were biomarker pathways associated with several of human diseases at both IT and OT sites. Except for auxiliary activities (AA), other CAZy classes had higher abundance at IT sites, which can readily convert litter and fix carbon and nitrogen, thereby supporting the development of underground forests. The differences in microbial communities were mainly related to the soil water content and soil total nitrogen. Conclusions Our results provide a metagenomic overview of the karst tiankeng system and provide new insights into habitat conservation and biodiversity restoration in the area. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02513-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Jiang
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiao-Rui Sun
- College of Environment Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China
| | - Jie Feng
- College of Environment Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China
| | - Su-Feng Zhu
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Wei Shui
- College of Environment Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China.
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14
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Li Y, Ma S, Fu C, Li J, Tian Y, Sun P, Ju P, Liu S. Seasonal differences in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in an overexploited shelf sea ecosystem. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Shuyang Ma
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Caihong Fu
- Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Nanaimo British Columbia Canada
| | - Jianchao Li
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Yongjun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao China
| | - Peng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Peilong Ju
- Key Laboratory of Mariculture Ministry of Education Ocean University of China Qingdao China
- Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System Ocean University of China Qingdao China
| | - Shude Liu
- Shandong Hydrobios Resources Conservation and Management Center Yantai China
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15
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Holman LE, Parker-Nance S, de Bruyn M, Creer S, Carvalho G, Rius M. Managing human-mediated range shifts: understanding spatial, temporal and genetic variation in marine non-native species. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210025. [PMID: 35067092 PMCID: PMC8784926 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of molecular tools to manage natural resources is increasingly common. However, DNA-based methods are seldom used to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of species' range shifts. This is important when managing range shifting species such as non-native species (NNS), which can have negative impacts on biotic communities. Here, we investigated the ascidian NNS Ciona robusta, Clavelina lepadiformis, Microcosmus squamiger and Styela plicata using a combined methodological approach. We first conducted non-molecular biodiversity surveys for these NNS along the South African coastline, and compared the results with historical surveys. We detected no consistent change in range size across species, with some displaying range stability and others showing range shifts. We then sequenced a section of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from tissue samples and found genetic differences along the coastline but no change over recent times. Finally, we found that environmental DNA metabarcoding data showed broad congruence with both the biodiversity survey and the COI datasets, but failed to capture the complete incidence of all NNS. Overall, we demonstrated how a combined methodological approach can effectively detect spatial and temporal variation in genetic composition and range size, which is key for managing both thriving NNS and threatened species. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Species’ ranges in the face of changing environments (part I)’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke E Holman
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Shirley Parker-Nance
- Zoology Department, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa.,South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) Elwandle Coastal Node, Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
| | - Mark de Bruyn
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.,Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Simon Creer
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Gary Carvalho
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | - Marc Rius
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Accés a la Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Spain.,Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa
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16
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Clare DS, Culhane F, Robinson LA. Secondary production increases with species richness but decreases with species evenness of benthic invertebrates. OIKOS 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David S. Clare
- School of Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences Lowestoft Suffolk UK
| | - Fiona Culhane
- School of Environmental Sciences, Univ. of Liverpool Liverpool UK
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17
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Zerebecki RA, Heck KL, Valentine JF. Biodiversity influences the effects of oil disturbance on coastal ecosystems. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8532. [PMID: 35127038 PMCID: PMC8796919 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity can enhance the response of ecosystems to disturbance. However, whether diversity can reduce the ecological effect of human-induced novel and extreme disturbances is unclear. In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) platform exploded, allowing an uncontrolled release of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Initial surveys following the spill found that ecological impacts on coastal ecosystems varied greatly across habitat-type and trophic group; however, to date, few studies have tested the influence of local biodiversity on these responses. We used a meta-analytic approach to synthesize the results of 5 mesocosm studies that included 10 independent oil experiments and 5 independent oil + dispersant experiments. We tested whether biodiversity increased the resistance and/or resilience of coastal ecosystems to oil disturbance and whether a biodiversity effect depended on the type of diversity present (taxonomic or genetic) and/or the response type measured (population, community, or ecosystem level). We found that diversity can influence the effects of oiling, but the direction and magnitude of this diversity effect varied. Diversity reduced the negative impact of oiling for within-trophic-level responses and tended to be stronger for taxonomic than genetic diversity. Further, diversity effects were largely driven by the presence of highly resistant or quick to recover taxa and genotypes, consistent with the insurance hypothesis. However, we found no effect of diversity on the response to the combination of oil and dispersant exposure. We conclude that areas of low biodiversity may be particularly vulnerable to future oil disturbances and provide insight into the benefit of incorporating multiple measures of diversity in restoration projects and management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn A. Zerebecki
- Dauphin Island Sea LabDauphin IslandAlabamaUSA
- Present address:
University of LouisianaLafayetteLouisinaUSA
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18
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Underwater Hyperspectral Imaging (UHI): A Review of Systems and Applications for Proximal Seafloor Ecosystem Studies. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13173451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Marine ecosystem monitoring requires observations of its attributes at different spatial and temporal scales that traditional sampling methods (e.g., RGB imaging, sediment cores) struggle to efficiently provide. Proximal optical sensing methods can fill this observational gap by providing observations of, and tracking changes in, the functional features of marine ecosystems non-invasively. Underwater hyperspectral imaging (UHI) employed in proximity to the seafloor has shown a further potential to monitor pigmentation in benthic and sympagic phototrophic organisms at small spatial scales (mm–cm) and for the identification of minerals and taxa through their finely resolved spectral signatures. Despite the increasing number of studies applying UHI, a review of its applications, capabilities, and challenges for seafloor ecosystem research is overdue. In this review, we first detail how the limited band availability inherent to standard underwater cameras has led to a data analysis “bottleneck” in seafloor ecosystem research, in part due to the widespread implementation of underwater imaging platforms (e.g., remotely operated vehicles, time-lapse stations, towed cameras) that can acquire large image datasets. We discuss how hyperspectral technology brings unique opportunities to address the known limitations of RGB cameras for surveying marine environments. The review concludes by comparing how different studies harness the capacities of hyperspectral imaging, the types of methods required to validate observations, and the current challenges for accurate and replicable UHI research.
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19
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Freestone AL, Torchin ME, Jurgens LJ, Bonfim M, López DP, Repetto MF, Schlöder C, Sewall BJ, Ruiz GM. Stronger predation intensity and impact on prey communities in the tropics. Ecology 2021; 102:e03428. [PMID: 34105781 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis that biotic interactions strengthen toward lower latitudes provides a framework for linking community-scale processes with the macroecological scales that define our biosphere. Despite the importance of this hypothesis for understanding community assembly and ecosystem functioning, the extent to which interaction strength varies across latitude and the effects of this variation on natural communities remain unresolved. Predation in particular is central to ecological and evolutionary dynamics across the globe, yet very few studies explore both community-scale causes and outcomes of predation across latitude. Here we expand beyond prior studies to examine two important components of predation strength: intensity of predation (including multiple dimensions of the predator guild) and impact on prey community biomass and structure, providing one of the most comprehensive examinations of predator-prey interactions across latitude. Using standardized experiments, we tested the hypothesis that predation intensity and impact on prey communities were stronger at lower latitudes. We further assessed prey recruitment to evaluate the potential for this process to mediate predation effects. We used sessile marine invertebrate communities and their fish predators in nearshore environments as a model system, with experiments conducted at 12 sites in four regions spanning the tropics to the subarctic. Our results show clear support for an increase in both predation intensity and impact at lower relative to higher latitudes. The predator guild was more diverse at low latitudes, with higher predation rates, longer interaction durations, and larger predator body sizes, suggesting stronger predation intensity in the tropics. Predation also reduced prey biomass and altered prey composition at low latitudes, with no effects at high latitudes. Although recruitment rates were up to three orders of magnitude higher in the tropics than the subarctic, prey replacement through this process was insufficient to dampen completely the strong impacts of predators in the tropics. Our study provides a novel perspective on the biotic interaction hypothesis, suggesting that multiple components of the predator community likely contribute to predation intensity at low latitudes, with important consequences for the structure of prey communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Freestone
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA.,Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, 21037-0028, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Mark E Torchin
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Laura J Jurgens
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA.,Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, 21037-0028, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Mariana Bonfim
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA
| | - Diana P López
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA
| | - Michele F Repetto
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA
| | - Carmen Schlöder
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado, 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panama
| | - Brent J Sewall
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, USA
| | - Gregory M Ruiz
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, 21037-0028, USA
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20
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Wang J, Lautz LS, Nolte TM, Posthuma L, Koopman KR, Leuven RSEW, Hendriks AJ. Towards a systematic method for assessing the impact of chemical pollution on ecosystem services of water systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 281:111873. [PMID: 33385900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Chemical pollution impinges on the quality of water systems and the ecosystem services (ESs) they provide. Expression of ESs in monetary units has become an essential tool for sustainable ecosystem management. However, the impact of chemical pollution on ESs is rarely quantified, and ES valuation often focuses on individual services without considering the total services provided by the ecosystem. The purpose of the study was to develop a stepwise approach to quantify the impact of sediment pollution on the total ES value provided by water systems. Thereby, we calculated the total ES value loss as a function of the multi-substance potentially affected fraction of species at the HC50 level (msPAF(HC50)). The function is a combination of relationships between, subsequently: the msPAF(HC50), diversity, productivity and total ES value. Regardless of the inherent differences between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, an increase of diversity generally corresponded to an increase in productivity with curvilinear or linear effects. A positive correlation between productivity and total values of ESs of biomes was observed. The combined relationships showed that 1% msPAF(HC50) corresponded to on average 0.5% (0.05-1.40%) of total ES value loss. The ES loss due to polluted sediments in the Waal-Meuse river estuary (the Netherlands) and Flemish waterways (Belgium) was estimated to be 0.3-5 and 0.6-10 thousand 2007$/ha/yr, respectively. Our study presents a novel methodology to assess the impact of chemical exposure on diversity, productivity, and total value that ecosystems provide. With sufficient monitoring data, our generic methodology can be applied for any chemical and region of interest and help water managers make informed decisions on cost-effective measures to remedy pollution. Acknowledging that the ES loss estimates as a function of PAF(HC50) are crude, we explicitly discuss the uncertainties in each step for further development and application of the methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands.
| | - Leonie S Lautz
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands; Risk Assessment Department, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Maisons-Alfort, F-94700, France
| | - Tom M Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands
| | - Leo Posthuma
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands; Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - K Remon Koopman
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Rob S E W Leuven
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands; Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Nijmegen, 6500 GL, the Netherlands
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21
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Xun W, Liu Y, Li W, Ren Y, Xiong W, Xu Z, Zhang N, Miao Y, Shen Q, Zhang R. Specialized metabolic functions of keystone taxa sustain soil microbiome stability. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:35. [PMID: 33517892 PMCID: PMC7849160 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between biodiversity and soil microbiome stability remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impacts of bacterial phylogenetic diversity on the functional traits and the stability of the soil microbiome. Communities differing in phylogenetic diversity were generated by inoculating serially diluted soil suspensions into sterilized soil, and the stability of the microbiome was assessed by detecting community variations under various pH levels. The taxonomic features and potential functional traits were detected by DNA sequencing. RESULTS We found that bacterial communities with higher phylogenetic diversity tended to be more stable, implying that microbiomes with higher biodiversity are more resistant to perturbation. Functional gene co-occurrence network and machine learning classification analyses identified specialized metabolic functions, especially "nitrogen metabolism" and "phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism," as keystone functions. Further taxonomic annotation found that keystone functions are carried out by specific bacterial taxa, including Nitrospira and Gemmatimonas, among others. CONCLUSIONS This study provides new insights into our understanding of the relationships between soil microbiome biodiversity and ecosystem stability and highlights specialized metabolic functions embedded in keystone taxa that may be essential for soil microbiome stability. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibing Xun
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Collection and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Ren
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu Xiong
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihui Xu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Youzhi Miao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruifu Zhang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource-saving fertilizers, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Collection and Preservation, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
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22
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23
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Jones AG, Denis L, Fournier J, Desroy N, Duong G, Dubois SF. Linking multiple facets of biodiversity and ecosystem functions in a coastal reef habitat. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 162:105092. [PMID: 32892150 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Reef-building species play key roles in promoting local species richness and regulating ecosystem functions like biogeochemical fluxes. We evaluated the functioning of a habitat engineered by the reef-building polychaete Sabellaria alveolata, by measuring oxygen and nutrient fluxes in the reef structures and in the soft-sediments nearby. Then, we investigated the relative importance of temperature, the engineer S. alveolata, and different facets of macrofauna diversity (taxonomic, functional diversity and identity), on the reef biogeochemical fluxes using multiple linear regressions and effect sizes. The reef fluxes were more intense than the soft-sediment fluxes and mainly driven by the engineer biomass and abundance, stressing the importance of these biogenic structures. Higher water temperatures and an intermediate level of associated macrofauna functional dispersion weighted only by abundance (i.e. intermediate biological trait variability) maximized the reef's global biogeochemical functioning. Ultimately, the physical degradation of the reefs could lead to lower levels of functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auriane G Jones
- IFREMER, Laboratoire Centre de Bretagne, DYNECO, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Benthique Côtière (LEBCO), 29280, Plouzané, France; IFREMER, Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources Bretagne nord, BP 80108, 35801, Dinard cedex, France; ESE, Ecology and Ecosystem Health, AGROCAMPUS OUEST, INRA, 65 rue de Saint-Brieuc, 35042, Rennes, France.
| | - Lionel Denis
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France
| | - Jérôme Fournier
- CNRS, UMR 7204 CESCO, 75005, Paris, France; MNHN, Station de Biologie Marine, BP 225, 29182, Concarneau cedex, France
| | - Nicolas Desroy
- IFREMER, Laboratoire Environnement et Ressources Bretagne nord, BP 80108, 35801, Dinard cedex, France
| | - Gwendoline Duong
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d'Océanologie et de Géosciences, F 62930, Wimereux, France
| | - Stanislas F Dubois
- IFREMER, Laboratoire Centre de Bretagne, DYNECO, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Benthique Côtière (LEBCO), 29280, Plouzané, France
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24
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Gammal J, Hewitt J, Norkko J, Norkko A, Thrush S. Does the use of biological traits predict a smooth landscape of ecosystem functioning? Ecol Evol 2020; 10:10395-10407. [PMID: 33072268 PMCID: PMC7548162 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The biodiversity crisis has increased interest in understanding the role of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning. Functional traits are often used to infer ecosystem functions to increase our understanding of these relationships over larger spatial scales. The links between specific traits and ecosystem functioning are, however, not always well established. We investigated how the choice of analyzing either individual species, selected modalities, or trait combinations affected the spatial patterns observed on a sandflat and how this was related to the natural variability in ecosystem functioning. A large dataset of 400 benthic macrofauna samples was used to explore distribution patterns. We hypothesized that (1) if multiple species (redundancy) represent a trait combination or a modality their spatial patterns would be smoothed out, and (2) the lost spatial variability within a trait combination or modality, due to the smoothing effect, would potentially affect their utility for predicting ecosystem functioning (tested on a dataset of 24 samples). We predicted that species would show heterogeneous small spatial patterns, while modalities and trait combinations would show larger and more homogeneous patterns because they would represent a collection of many distributions. If modalities and trait combinations are better predictors of ecosystem functioning than species, then the smoother spatial patterns of modalities and trait combinations would result in a more homogeneous landscape of ecosystem function and the number of species exhibiting specific traits would provide functional redundancy. Our results showed some smoothing of spatial patterns progressing from species through modalities to trait combinations, but generally spatial patterns reflected a few dominant key species. Moreover, some individual modalities and species explained more or equal proportions of the variance in the ecosystem functioning than the combined traits. The findings thus suggest that only some spatial variability is lost when species are combined into modalities and trait combinations and that a homogeneous landscape of ecosystem function is not likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Gammal
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki Hangö Finland
| | - Judi Hewitt
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Hamilton New Zealand.,Department of Statistics University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
| | - Joanna Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki Hangö Finland
| | - Alf Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki Hangö Finland.,Baltic Sea Centre Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Simon Thrush
- Institute of Marine Science University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand
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25
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Olofsson M, Hagan JG, Karlson B, Gamfeldt L. Large seasonal and spatial variation in nano- and microphytoplankton diversity along a Baltic Sea-North Sea salinity gradient. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17666. [PMID: 33077730 PMCID: PMC7572517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74428-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquatic phytoplankton experience large fluctuations in environmental conditions during seasonal succession and across salinity gradients, but the impact of this variation on their diversity is poorly understood. We examined spatio-temporal variation in nano- and microphytoplankton (> 2 µm) community structure using almost two decades of light-microscope based monitoring data. The dataset encompasses 19 stations that span a salinity gradient from 2.8 to 35 along the Swedish coastline. Spatially, both regional and local phytoplankton diversity increased with broad-scale salinity variation. Diatoms dominated at high salinity and the proportion of cyanobacteria increased with decreasing salinity. Temporally, cell abundance peaked in winter-spring at high salinity but in summer at low salinity. This was likely due to large filamentous cyanobacteria blooms that occur in summer in low salinity areas, but which are absent in higher salinities. In contrast, phytoplankton local diversity peaked in spring at low salinity but in fall and winter at high salinity. Whilst differences in seasonal variation in cell abundance were reasonably well-explained by variation in salinity and nutrient availability, variation in local-scale phytoplankton diversity was poorly predicted by environmental variables. Overall, we provide insights into the causes of spatio-temporal variation in coastal phytoplankton community structure while also identifying knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Olofsson
- Research and Development, Oceanography, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Sven Källfelts gata 15, 426 71, Västra Frölunda, Sweden. .,Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - James G Hagan
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bengt Karlson
- Research and Development, Oceanography, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Sven Källfelts gata 15, 426 71, Västra Frölunda, Sweden
| | - Lars Gamfeldt
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, Box 461, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Centre for Sea and Society, Box 260, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
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26
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Bacouillard L, Baux N, Dauvin JC, Desroy N, Geiger KJ, Gentil F, Thiébaut É. Long-term spatio-temporal changes of the muddy fine sand benthic community of the Bay of Seine (eastern English Channel). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 161:105062. [PMID: 32784114 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the English Channel, the eastern Bay of Seine is exposed to numerous anthropogenic disturbances, in particular major changes in sediment dynamics, which are expected to greatly impact benthic communities. To assess the long-term effects of these stressors on the muddy fine sand benthic community, an original long-term monitoring program has been implemented since 1988. It is based on the sampling of a network of 60 stations during seven surveys over 28 years from 1988 to 2016. We investigate changes of species density, species composition and species diversity at different scales (α-diversity, β-diversity and γ-diversity). Contrary to results obtained in many coastal areas, our results showed a long-term persistence of the community in terms of species composition and structure although a general shift towards muddy sediment has resulted in increased colonisation by species associated with muddy habitats and a decrease in spatial beta diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Bacouillard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Station Biologique de Roscoff, UMR7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Place Georges Teissier, CS90074, 29688, Roscoff Cedex, France.
| | - Noémie Baux
- Normandie Univ., UNICAEN, CNRS, UMR6143, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France; Normandie Univ., UNICAEN, Laboratoire des Sciences Appliquées de Cherbourg, EA 4 253, 50100, Cherbourg, France; Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, INTECHMER, 50100, Cherbourg, France.
| | - Jean-Claude Dauvin
- Normandie Univ., UNICAEN, CNRS, UMR6143, Laboratoire Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière M2C, 24 rue des Tilleuls, 14000, Caen, France.
| | - Nicolas Desroy
- IFREMER, Station de Dinard, LER Bretagne Nord, 38 rue du Port Blanc, 35800, Dinard, France.
| | - Katja Juliana Geiger
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Station Biologique de Roscoff, UMR7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Place Georges Teissier, CS90074, 29688, Roscoff Cedex, France.
| | - Franck Gentil
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Station Biologique de Roscoff, UMR7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Place Georges Teissier, CS90074, 29688, Roscoff Cedex, France.
| | - Éric Thiébaut
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Station Biologique de Roscoff, UMR7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Place Georges Teissier, CS90074, 29688, Roscoff Cedex, France.
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27
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Cappelatti L, Mauffrey ARL, Griffin JN. Functional diversity of habitat formers declines scale-dependently across an environmental stress gradient. Oecologia 2020; 194:135-149. [PMID: 32895733 PMCID: PMC7561580 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04746-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Marine habitat formers such as seaweeds and corals are lynchpins of coastal ecosystems, but their functional diversity and how it varies with scale and context remains poorly studied. Here, we investigate the functional diversity of seaweed assemblages across the rocky intertidal stress gradient at large (zones) and small (quadrat) scales. We quantified complementary metrics of emergent group richness, functional richness (functional space occupied) and functional dispersion (trait complementarity of dominant species). With increasing shore height, under species loss and turnover, responses of functional diversity were scale- and metric-dependent. At the large scale, functional richness contracted while—notwithstanding a decline in redundancy—emergent group richness and functional dispersion were both invariant. At the small scale, all measures declined, with the strongest responses evident for functional and emergent group richness. Comparisons of observed versus expected values based on null models revealed that functional richness and dispersion were greater than expected in the low shore but converged with expected values higher on the shore. These results show that functional diversity of assemblages of marine habitat formers can be especially responsive to environmental stress gradients at small scales and for richness measures. Furthermore, niche-based processes at the small—neighbourhood—scale can favour co-occurrence of functionally distinctive species under low, but not high, stress, magnifying differences in functional diversity across environmental gradients. As assemblages of marine habitat formers face accelerating environmental change, further studies examining multiple aspects of functional diversity are needed to elucidate patterns, processes, and ecosystem consequences of community (dis-)assembly across diverse groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cappelatti
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
| | - Alizée R L Mauffrey
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
| | - John N Griffin
- Biosciences Department, Swansea University, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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28
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Aubree F, David P, Jarne P, Loreau M, Mouquet N, Calcagno V. How community adaptation affects biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. Ecol Lett 2020; 23:1263-1275. [PMID: 32476239 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Evidence is growing that evolutionary dynamics can impact biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships. However the nature of such impacts remains poorly understood. Here we use a modelling approach to compare random communities, with no trait evolutionary fine-tuning, and co-adapted communities, where traits have co-evolved, in terms of emerging biodiversity-productivity, biodiversity-stability and biodiversity-invasion relationships. Community adaptation impacted most BEF relationships, sometimes inverting the slope of the relationship compared to random communities. Biodiversity-productivity relationships were generally less positive among co-adapted communities, with reduced contribution of sampling effects. The effect of community-adaptation, though modest regarding invasion resistance, was striking regarding invasion tolerance: co-adapted communities could remain very tolerant to invasions even at high diversity. BEF relationships are thus contingent on the history of ecosystems and their degree of community adaptation. Short-term experiments and observations following recent changes may not be safely extrapolated into the future, once eco-evolutionary feedbacks have taken place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Aubree
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, ISA, 06900, Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Patrice David
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - IRD - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Philippe Jarne
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - IRD - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Michel Loreau
- Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling, Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station, CNRS and Paul Sabatier University, Moulis, 09200, France
| | - Nicolas Mouquet
- MARBEC, CNRS-IFREMER-IRD-University of Montpellier, Montpellier, 34095, France
| | - Vincent Calcagno
- Université Côte d'Azur, INRAE, CNRS, ISA, 06900, Sophia Antipolis, France
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29
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Hiddink JG, Kaiser MJ, Sciberras M, McConnaughey RA, Mazor T, Hilborn R, Collie JS, Pitcher CR, Parma AM, Suuronen P, Rijnsdorp AD, Jennings S. Selection of indicators for assessing and managing the impacts of bottom trawling on seabed habitats. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robert A. McConnaughey
- RACE Division Alaska Fisheries Science Center National Marine Fisheries ServiceNOAA Seattle WA USA
| | - Tessa Mazor
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Ray Hilborn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences University of Washington Seattle WA USA
| | - Jeremy S. Collie
- Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Narragansett RI USA
| | | | - Ana M. Parma
- Centro Nacional PatagónicoCONICET Puerto Madryn Argentina
| | - Petri Suuronen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) Helsinki Finland
| | | | - Simon Jennings
- International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Copenhagen V Denmark
- School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park UK
- Lowestoft Laboratory Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Suffolk UK
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30
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Biodiversity increases multitrophic energy use efficiency, flow and storage in grasslands. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:393-405. [PMID: 32094542 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1123-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The continuing loss of global biodiversity has raised questions about the risk that species extinctions pose for the functioning of natural ecosystems and the services that they provide for human wellbeing. There is consensus that, on single trophic levels, biodiversity sustains functions; however, to understand the full range of biodiversity effects, a holistic and multitrophic perspective is needed. Here, we apply methods from ecosystem ecology that quantify the structure and dynamics of the trophic network using ecosystem energetics to data from a large grassland biodiversity experiment. We show that higher plant diversity leads to more energy stored, greater energy flow and higher community-energy-use efficiency across the entire trophic network. These effects of biodiversity on energy dynamics were not restricted to only plants but were also expressed by other trophic groups and, to a similar degree, in aboveground and belowground parts of the ecosystem, even though plants are by far the dominating group in the system. The positive effects of biodiversity on one trophic level were not counteracted by the negative effects on adjacent levels. Trophic levels jointly increased the performance of the community, indicating ecosystem-wide multitrophic complementarity, which is potentially an important prerequisite for the provisioning of ecosystem services.
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31
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Henderson CJ, Gilby BL, Schlacher TA, Connolly RM, Sheaves M, Maxwell PS, Flint N, Borland HP, Martin TSH, Olds AD. Low redundancy and complementarity shape ecosystem functioning in a low-diversity ecosystem. J Anim Ecol 2019; 89:784-794. [PMID: 31758695 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ecosystem functioning is positively linked to biodiversity on land and in the sea. In high-diversity systems (e.g. coral reefs), species coexist by sharing resources and providing similar functions at different temporal or spatial scales. How species combine to deliver the ecological function they provide is pivotal for maintaining the structure, functioning and resilience of some ecosystems, but the significance of this is rarely examined in low-diversity systems such as estuaries. We tested whether an ecological function is shaped by biodiversity in a low-diversity ecosystem by measuring the consumption of carrion by estuarine scavengers. Carrion (e.g. decaying animal flesh) is opportunistically fed on by a large number of species across numerous ecosystems. Estuaries were chosen as the model system because carrion consumption is a pivotal ecological function in coastal seascapes, and estuaries are thought to support diverse scavenger assemblages, which are modified by changes in water quality and the urbanization of estuarine shorelines. We used baited underwater video arrays to record scavengers and measure the rate at which carrion was consumed by fish in 39 estuaries across 1,000 km of coastline in eastern Australia. Carrion consumption was positively correlated with the abundance of only one species, yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis, which consumed 58% of all deployed carrion. The consumption of carrion by yellowfin bream was greatest in urban estuaries with moderately hardened shorelines (20%-60%) and relatively large subtidal rock bars (>0.1 km2 ). Our findings demonstrate that an ecological function can be maintained across estuarine seascapes despite both limited redundancy (i.e. dominated by one species) and complementarity (i.e. there is no spatial context where the function is delivered significantly when yellowfin bream are not present) in the functional traits of animal assemblages. The continued functioning of estuaries, and other low-diversity ecosystems, might therefore not be tightly linked to biodiversity, and we suggest that the preservation of functionally dominant species that maintain functions in these systems could help to improve conservation outcomes for coastal seascapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Henderson
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia
| | - Ben L Gilby
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia
| | - Thomas A Schlacher
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia
| | - Rod M Connolly
- Australian Rivers Institute - Coasts & Estuaries and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Marcus Sheaves
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | | | - Nicole Flint
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld, Australia
| | - Hayden P Borland
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia
| | - Tyson S H Martin
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia.,Australian Rivers Institute - Coasts & Estuaries and School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - Andrew D Olds
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld, Australia
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32
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Murie KA, Bourdeau PE. Predator identity dominates non-consumptive effects in a disease-impacted rocky shore food web. Oecologia 2019; 191:945-956. [PMID: 31686229 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04548-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Predicting the effects of predator diversity loss on food webs is challenging, because predators can both consume and induce behavioral responses in their prey (i.e., non-consumptive effects or NCEs). Studies manipulating predator diversity and investigating NCEs are rare, especially in marine systems. Recently, a severe outbreak of sea star wasting syndrome (SSWS) on the west coast of North America resulted in unprecedented declines of the sea star Pisaster ochraceus. We investigated the consequences of Pisaster loss on an abundant grazer, the black turban snail Tegula funebralis, through NCEs. We combined a laboratory experiment and field surveys to examine the importance of identity vs. diversity in a predator assemblage (Pisaster, crabs, and octopuses) on Tegula behavior, feeding, and growth. Laboratory and field results indicated that predator identity, not diversity, drives Tegula behavior and causes NCEs. Mesocosm treatments with Pisaster caused greater NCEs on Tegula than assemblages without Pisaster. Tegula's distribution in the field, which is driven primarily by anti-predator behavior, was strongly associated only with Pisaster abundance, and not with the abundance of crabs, octopuses, and other predatory sea stars (Leptasterias spp.). We conclude that Pisaster primarily drives Tegula vertical distribution and may be having strong NCEs on Tegula on northern California rocky shores. Furthermore, predator diversity in northern California does not provide functional redundancy, in terms of NCEs on Tegula, to buffer the system from Pisaster loss. Thus, predator-induced vertical distributions and grazing suppression may not be maintained in areas where Pisaster populations are reduced or slow to recover from SSWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kindall A Murie
- Telonicher Marine Laboratory, Humboldt State University, 570 Ewing St, Trinidad, CA, 95570, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA, 95520, USA.
| | - Paul E Bourdeau
- Telonicher Marine Laboratory, Humboldt State University, 570 Ewing St, Trinidad, CA, 95570, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA, 95520, USA
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33
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Boyé A, Thiébaut É, Grall J, Legendre P, Broudin C, Houbin C, Le Garrec V, Maguer M, Droual G, Gauthier O. Trait‐based approach to monitoring marine benthic data along 500 km of coastline. DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Boyé
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- Département de Sciences Biologiques Université de Montréal Montréal QC Canada
| | - Éric Thiébaut
- Laboratoire Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin UMR 7144 CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff Sorbonne Université Roscoff Cedex France
| | - Jacques Grall
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Pierre Legendre
- Département de Sciences Biologiques Université de Montréal Montréal QC Canada
| | - Caroline Broudin
- CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff FR 2424 Sorbonne Université Roscoff France
| | - Céline Houbin
- CNRS Station Biologique de Roscoff FR 2424 Sorbonne Université Roscoff France
| | - Vincent Le Garrec
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Marion Maguer
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Gabin Droual
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
| | - Olivier Gauthier
- CNRS IRD Ifremer LEMAR Univ Brest Plouzane France
- CNRS UMS 3113 Observatoire Marin Suivis Habitats Benthiques OSU‐IUEM Université de Brest Plouzané France
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34
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Dolbeth M, Crespo D, Leston S, Solan M. Realistic scenarios of environmental disturbance lead to functionally important changes in benthic species-environment interactions. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 150:104770. [PMID: 31421538 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Changes in community structure concurrent with environmental forcing often form a precursor to changes in species diversity, and can have substantive consequences for ecosystem functioning. Here, we assess the effects of altered levels of evenness that are representative of different levels of eutrophication and changes in salinity associated with altered precipitation patterns, on the mediation of nutrient release by sediment-dwelling invertebrate communities. We find that an adjustment towards a more even distribution of species corresponds with an increase in sediment particle reworking that, in general, translates to increased levels of nutrient release. This response, however, is dependent on the functional role of each species in the community and is influenced by concomitant changes in salinity, especially when salinity extends beyond the range typically experienced by the community. Overall, our findings highlight the dynamic nature of species contributions to functioning and reinforce the importance of understanding when, and how, the mechanistic basis of species-environment interactions are modified as the influence of abiotic and biotic factors flex under periods of directional forcing.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dolbeth
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - D Crespo
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Politécnico de Leiria, Edifício CETEMARES, Av. Porto de Pesca, 2520-630, Peniche, Portugal
| | - S Leston
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV - Pharmacy Faculty, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Solan
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European, Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
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35
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Havenhand JN, Filipsson HL, Niiranen S, Troell M, Crépin AS, Jagers S, Langlet D, Matti S, Turner D, Winder M, de Wit P, Anderson LG. Ecological and functional consequences of coastal ocean acidification: Perspectives from the Baltic-Skagerrak System. AMBIO 2019; 48:831-854. [PMID: 30506502 PMCID: PMC6541583 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-018-1110-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ocean temperatures are rising; species are shifting poleward, and pH is falling (ocean acidification, OA). We summarise current understanding of OA in the brackish Baltic-Skagerrak System, focussing on the direct, indirect and interactive effects of OA with other anthropogenic drivers on marine biogeochemistry, organisms and ecosystems. Substantial recent advances reveal a pattern of stronger responses (positive or negative) of species than ecosystems, more positive responses at lower trophic levels and strong indirect interactions in food-webs. Common emergent themes were as follows: OA drives planktonic systems toward the microbial loop, reducing energy transfer to zooplankton and fish; and nutrient/food availability ameliorates negative impacts of OA. We identify several key areas for further research, notably the need for OA-relevant biogeochemical and ecosystem models, and understanding the ecological and evolutionary capacity of Baltic-Skagerrak ecosystems to respond to OA and other anthropogenic drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N. Havenhand
- Department of Marine Sciences, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Strömstad, 45296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Susa Niiranen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2B, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Max Troell
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Kräftriket 2B, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Lilla Frescativägen 4, 10405 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne-Sophie Crépin
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Lilla Frescativägen 4, 10405 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sverker Jagers
- Department of Political Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 711, Sprängkullsgatan 19, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Langlet
- Department of Law, University of Gothenburg, Box 650, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Simon Matti
- Department of Political Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - David Turner
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Monika Winder
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pierre de Wit
- Department of Marine Sciences, Tjärnö Marine Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Strömstad, 45296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Leif G. Anderson
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
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36
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Maureaud A, Hodapp D, van Denderen PD, Hillebrand H, Gislason H, Spaanheden Dencker T, Beukhof E, Lindegren M. Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in fish communities: biomass is related to evenness and the environment, not to species richness. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191189. [PMID: 31288699 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) is a topic of considerable interest to scientists and managers because a better understanding of its underlying mechanisms may help us mitigate the consequences of biodiversity loss on ecosystems. Our current knowledge of BEF relies heavily on theoretical and experimental studies, typically conducted on a narrow range of spatio-temporal scales, environmental conditions, and trophic levels. Hence, whether a relationship holds in the natural environment is poorly understood, especially in exploited marine ecosystems. Using large-scale observations of marine fish communities, we applied a structural equation modelling framework to investigate the existence and significance of BEF relationships across northwestern European seas. We find that ecosystem functioning, here represented by spatial patterns in total fish biomass, is unrelated to species richness-the most commonly used diversity metric in BEF studies. Instead, community evenness, differences in species composition, and abiotic variables are significant drivers. In particular, we find that high fish biomass is associated with fish assemblages dominated by a few generalist species of a high trophic level, who are able to exploit both the benthic and pelagic energy pathway. Our study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms behind marine ecosystem functioning and allows for the integration of biodiversity into management considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Maureaud
- 1 Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Dorothee Hodapp
- 2 Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) , Oldenburg , Germany
| | - P Daniël van Denderen
- 1 Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Helmut Hillebrand
- 2 Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity (HIFMB) , Oldenburg , Germany.,3 Plankton Ecology Lab, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg , Wilhelmshaven , Germany
| | - Henrik Gislason
- 4 National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Tim Spaanheden Dencker
- 1 Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Esther Beukhof
- 1 Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
| | - Martin Lindegren
- 1 Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark , Kemitorvet, Building 202, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby , Denmark
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Virta L, Gammal J, Järnström M, Bernard G, Soininen J, Norkko J, Norkko A. The diversity of benthic diatoms affects ecosystem productivity in heterogeneous coastal environments. Ecology 2019; 100:e02765. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leena Virta
- Department of Geosciences and Geography University of Helsinki PO Box 64 FIN‐00014 Helsinki Finland
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki J.A. Palméns väg 260 FI‐10900 Hangö Finland
| | - Johanna Gammal
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki J.A. Palméns väg 260 FI‐10900 Hangö Finland
| | - Marie Järnström
- Environmental and Marine Biology Åbo Akademi University Artillerigatan 6 20520 Åbo Finland
| | | | - Janne Soininen
- Department of Geosciences and Geography University of Helsinki PO Box 64 FIN‐00014 Helsinki Finland
| | - Joanna Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki J.A. Palméns väg 260 FI‐10900 Hangö Finland
| | - Alf Norkko
- Tvärminne Zoological Station University of Helsinki J.A. Palméns väg 260 FI‐10900 Hangö Finland
- Baltic Sea Centre Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
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Carvalho Neta RNF, Mota Andrade TDSDO, de Oliveira SRS, Torres Junior AR, da Silva Cardoso W, Santos DMS, Dos Santos Batista W, de Sousa Serra IMR, Brito NM. Biochemical and morphological responses in Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda) as indicators of contamination status in mangroves and port areas from northern Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:15884-15893. [PMID: 30955201 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04849-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to analyze biochemical and morphological responses (glutathione S-transferase activity and branchial lesions) in Ucides cordatus (crabs) and to verify how the species is responding to environmental contamination in a port (potentially contaminated area) and mangrove (reference area; Amazon Coast, Maranhão, Brazil). Adult males were captured bimonthly for a period of 1 year. Higher GST activity (1.03 ± 0.07 μmol min-1 mg protein-1) was observed in crabs in the port when compared with those in the reference area (p < 0.05). The greatest number of branchial lesions (serious alterations) was recorded in crabs only in the port area. The GST activity increased until serious lesions appeared; after this limit, GST activity decreased dramatically to very low levels, thus resulting in irreversible lesions (lamella collapse). The mathematical model based on the two parameters evaluated in U. cordatus showed that the port area experienced substantial contamination impact, while the mangroves (reference area) presented moderate environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Audalio Rebelo Torres Junior
- Marine Sciences Institute, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), Campus Dom Delgado, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - William da Silva Cardoso
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Paulo VI, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Débora Martins Silva Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Paulo VI, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Wanda Dos Santos Batista
- Postgraduate Program of Aquatic Resources and Fishery (PPGRAP/UEMA), State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Paulo VI, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Ilka Márcia R de Sousa Serra
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão (UEMA), Campus Paulo VI, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Natilene Mesquita Brito
- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhao (IFMA), São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil
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The effects of functional diversity on biomass production, variability, and resilience of ecosystem functions in a tritrophic system. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7541. [PMID: 31101880 PMCID: PMC6525189 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43974-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse communities can adjust their trait composition to altered environmental conditions, which may strongly influence their dynamics. Previous studies of trait-based models mainly considered only one or two trophic levels, whereas most natural system are at least tritrophic. Therefore, we investigated how the addition of trait variation to each trophic level influences population and community dynamics in a tritrophic model. Examining the phase relationships between species of adjacent trophic levels informs about the strength of top-down or bottom-up control in non-steady-state situations. Phase relationships within a trophic level highlight compensatory dynamical patterns between functionally different species, which are responsible for dampening the community temporal variability. Furthermore, even without trait variation, our tritrophic model always exhibits regions with two alternative states with either weak or strong nutrient exploitation, and correspondingly low or high biomass production at the top level. However, adding trait variation increased the basin of attraction of the high-production state, and decreased the likelihood of a critical transition from the high- to the low-production state with no apparent early warning signals. Hence, our study shows that trait variation enhances resource use efficiency, production, stability, and resilience of entire food webs.
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van der Plas F. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in naturally assembled communities. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1220-1245. [PMID: 30724447 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 25 years ago, ecologists became increasingly interested in the question of whether ongoing biodiversity loss matters for the functioning of ecosystems. As such, a new ecological subfield on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning (BEF) was born. This subfield was initially dominated by theoretical studies and by experiments in which biodiversity was manipulated, and responses of ecosystem functions such as biomass production, decomposition rates, carbon sequestration, trophic interactions and pollination were assessed. More recently, an increasing number of studies have investigated BEF relationships in non-manipulated ecosystems, but reviews synthesizing our knowledge on the importance of real-world biodiversity are still largely missing. I performed a systematic review in order to assess how biodiversity drives ecosystem functioning in both terrestrial and aquatic, naturally assembled communities, and on how important biodiversity is compared to other factors, including other aspects of community composition and abiotic conditions. The outcomes of 258 published studies, which reported 726 BEF relationships, revealed that in many cases, biodiversity promotes average biomass production and its temporal stability, and pollination success. For decomposition rates and ecosystem multifunctionality, positive effects of biodiversity outnumbered negative effects, but neutral relationships were even more common. Similarly, negative effects of prey biodiversity on pathogen and herbivore damage outnumbered positive effects, but were less common than neutral relationships. Finally, there was no evidence that biodiversity is related to soil carbon storage. Most BEF studies focused on the effects of taxonomic diversity, however, metrics of functional diversity were generally stronger predictors of ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, in most studies, abiotic factors and functional composition (e.g. the presence of a certain functional group) were stronger drivers of ecosystem functioning than biodiversity per se. While experiments suggest that positive biodiversity effects become stronger at larger spatial scales, in naturally assembled communities this idea is too poorly studied to draw general conclusions. In summary, a high biodiversity in naturally assembled communities positively drives various ecosystem functions. At the same time, the strength and direction of these effects vary highly among studies, and factors other than biodiversity can be even more important in driving ecosystem functioning. Thus, to promote those ecosystem functions that underpin human well-being, conservation should not only promote biodiversity per se, but also the abiotic conditions favouring species with suitable trait combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fons van der Plas
- Systematic Botany and Functional Biodiversity, Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Cimon S, Cusson M. Impact of multiple disturbances and stress on the temporal trajectories and resilience of benthic intertidal communities. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stéphanie Cimon
- Département des sciences fondamentales & Québec-Océan; Université du Québec à Chicoutimi; 555, boulevard de l'Université Chicoutimi Québec G7H 2B1 Canada
| | - Mathieu Cusson
- Département des sciences fondamentales & Québec-Océan; Université du Québec à Chicoutimi; 555, boulevard de l'Université Chicoutimi Québec G7H 2B1 Canada
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Crotty SM, Sharp SJ, Bersoza AC, Prince KD, Cronk K, Johnson EE, Angelini C. Foundation species patch configuration mediates salt marsh biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality. Ecol Lett 2018; 21:1681-1692. [PMID: 30141246 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Foundation species enhance biodiversity and multifunctionality across many systems; however, whether foundation species patch configuration mediates their ecological effects is unknown. In a 6-month field experiment, we test which attributes of foundation species patch configuration - i.e. patch size, total patch area, perimeter, area-perimeter ratio, or connectivity - control biodiversity, stability and multifunctionality by adding a standardised density of mussel foundation species in patches of 1, 5, 10, 30, 60, 90 or 180 individuals to a southeastern US salt marsh. Over 67% of response variables increased with clustering of mussels, responses that were driven by increases in area-perimeter ratio (33%), decreases in perimeter (29%), or increases in patch size (5%), suggesting sensitivity to external stressors and/or dependence on foundation species-derived niche availability and segregation. Thus, mussel configuration - by controlling the relative distribution of multidimensional patch interior and edge niche space - critically modulates this foundation species' effects on ecosystem structure, stability and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad M Crotty
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Sean J Sharp
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Ada C Bersoza
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Kimberly D Prince
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Katheryne Cronk
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Emma E Johnson
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Christine Angelini
- Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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Dai Z, Su W, Chen H, Barberán A, Zhao H, Yu M, Yu L, Brookes PC, Schadt CW, Chang SX, Xu J. Long-term nitrogen fertilization decreases bacterial diversity and favors the growth of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria in agro-ecosystems across the globe. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:3452-3461. [PMID: 29645398 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Long-term elevated nitrogen (N) input from anthropogenic sources may cause soil acidification and decrease crop yield, yet the response of the belowground microbial community to long-term N input alone or in combination with phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is poorly understood. We explored the effect of long-term N and NPK fertilization on soil bacterial diversity and community composition using meta-analysis of a global dataset. Nitrogen fertilization decreased soil pH, and increased soil organic carbon (C) and available N contents. Bacterial taxonomic diversity was decreased by N fertilization alone, but was increased by NPK fertilization. The effect of N fertilization on bacterial diversity varied with soil texture and water management, but was independent of crop type or N application rate. Changes in bacterial diversity were positively related to both soil pH and organic C content under N fertilization alone, but only to soil organic C under NPK fertilization. Microbial biomass C decreased with decreasing bacterial diversity under long-term N fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, but reduced the abundance of Acidobacteria, consistent with the general life history strategy theory for bacteria. The positive correlation between N application rate and the relative abundance of Actinobacteria indicates that increased N availability favored the growth of Actinobacteria. This first global analysis of long-term N and NPK fertilization that differentially affects bacterial diversity and community composition provides a reference for nutrient management strategies for maintaining belowground microbial diversity in agro-ecosystems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Dai
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiqin Su
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huaihai Chen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Albert Barberán
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Haochun Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengjie Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Yu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Philip C Brookes
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Scott X Chang
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jianming Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Mensens C, De Laender F, Janssen CR, Rivera FC, Sabbe K, De Troch M. Selective and context-dependent effects of chemical stress across trophic levels at the basis of marine food webs. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:1342-1353. [PMID: 29698586 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Human activities increasingly impact the functioning of marine food webs, but anthropogenic stressors are seldom included in ecological study designs. Diet quality, as distinct from just diet quantity, has moreover rarely been highlighted in food web studies in a stress context. We measured the effects of metal and pesticide stress (copper and atrazine) on the contribution of a benthic intertidal diatom community to two processes that are key to the functioning of intertidal systems: biomass (diet quantity) and lipid (diet quality) production. We then examined if stressors affected diatom functioning by selectively targeting the species contributing most to functioning (selective stress effects) or by changing the species' functional contribution (context-dependent effects). Finally, we tested if stress-induced changes in diet quality altered the energy flow to the diatoms' main grazers (harpacticoid copepods). Diatom diet quantity was reduced by metal stress but not by low pesticide levels due to the presence of an atrazine-tolerant, mixotrophic species. Selective effects of the pesticide reduced diatom diet quality by 60% and 75% at low and high pesticide levels respectively, by shifting diatom community structure from dominance by lipid-rich species toward dominance by an atrazine-tolerant, but lipid-poor, species. Context-dependent effects did not affect individual diatom lipid content at low levels of both stressors, but caused diatoms to lose 40% of their lipids at high copper stress. Stress-induced changes in diet quality predicted the energy flow from the diatoms to their copepod consumers, which lost half of their lipids when feeding on diatoms grown under low and high pesticide and high metal stress. Selective pesticide effects were a more important threat for trophic energy transfer than context-dependent effects of both stressors, with shifts in diatom community structure affecting the energy flow to their copepod grazers at stress levels where no changes in diatom lipid content were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Mensens
- Biology Department, Marine Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Building F, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Laender
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Biology Department, Université de Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Building F, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frances Camille Rivera
- Biology Department, Marine Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Biology Department, Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen De Troch
- Biology Department, Marine Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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45
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O'Leary BC, Roberts CM. Ecological connectivity across ocean depths: Implications for protected area design. Glob Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Kauppi L, Bernard G, Bastrop R, Norkko A, Norkko J. Increasing densities of an invasive polychaete enhance bioturbation with variable effects on solute fluxes. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7619. [PMID: 29769583 PMCID: PMC5955914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25989-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioturbation is a key process affecting nutrient cycling in soft sediments. The invasive polychaete genus Marenzelleria spp. has established successfully throughout the Baltic Sea increasing species and functional diversity with possible density-dependent effects on bioturbation and associated solute fluxes. We tested the effects of increasing density of M. arctia, M. viridis and M. neglecta on bioturbation and solute fluxes in a laboratory experiment. Benthic communities in intact sediment cores were manipulated by adding increasing numbers of Marenzelleria spp. The results showed that Marenzelleria spp. in general enhanced all bioturbation metrics, but the effects on solute fluxes varied depending on the solute, on the density and species identity of Marenzelleria, and on the species and functional composition of the surrounding community. M. viridis and M. neglecta were more important in predicting variation in phosphate and silicate fluxes, whereas M. arctia had a larger effect on nitrogen cycling. The complex direct and indirect pathways indicate the importance of considering the whole community and not just species in isolation in the experimental studies. Including these interactions provides a way forward regarding our understanding of the complex ecosystem effects of invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kauppi
- University of Helsinki, Tvärminne Zoological Station, J.A. Palménin tie 260, FI-10900, Hanko, Finland.
- Department of Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - G Bernard
- University of Helsinki, Tvärminne Zoological Station, J.A. Palménin tie 260, FI-10900, Hanko, Finland
- CNRS, EPOC, UMR 5805, F33400, Talence, France
| | - R Bastrop
- University of Rostock, Institute of Biological Sciences, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, D-18059, Rostock, Germany
| | - A Norkko
- University of Helsinki, Tvärminne Zoological Station, J.A. Palménin tie 260, FI-10900, Hanko, Finland
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Norkko
- University of Helsinki, Tvärminne Zoological Station, J.A. Palménin tie 260, FI-10900, Hanko, Finland
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47
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Environmental Context Mediates Biodiversity–Ecosystem Functioning Relationships in Coastal Soft-sediment Habitats. Ecosystems 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-018-0258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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48
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Lacoste É, Piot A, Archambault P, McKindsey CW, Nozais C. Bioturbation activity of three macrofaunal species and the presence of meiofauna affect the abundance and composition of benthic bacterial communities. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 136:62-70. [PMID: 29503107 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Given concerns of increasing rates of species extinctions, the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has become a major research focus over the past two decades. Many studies have shown that biodiversity per se (e.g. species richness) or species-specific traits may be good predictors of changes in ecosystem function. Although numerous studies on this subject have focused on terrestrial systems, few have evaluated benthic marine systems. We used the Limecola balthica community as a model to test whether the number or identity of three well-studied macrofaunal species influence the sediment bacterial compartment, which drives important biogeochemical processes and influence ecosystem functioning. We also investigated the poorly known role of meiofauna in the interactions between macrofauna and bacteria. Eight combinations of 0-3 species were maintained in microcosms for 34 days in the presence or absence of meiofauna. The abundance and composition of the bacterial community, defined by the relative percentage of cells with a high (HNA) vs low (LNA) nucleic acid content, were measured. Species identity of macrofauna was a better indicator of changes in the microbial compartment than was species richness per se. In particular, the gallery-diffuser behaviour of the polychaete Alitta virens likely induced strong changes in sediment physical and geochemical properties with a major impact on the bacterial compartment. Moreover, the presence of meiofauna modulated the influence of macrofauna on bacterial communities. This study provides evidence that species identity provides greater explanatory power than species richness to predict changes in the bacterial compartment. We propose that multi-compartment approaches to describe interactions amongst different size classes of organisms and their ecological roles should be further developed to improve our understanding of benthic ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élise Lacoste
- Institut des Sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada; Québec-Océan, Département de Biologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
| | - Adeline Piot
- Institut des Sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada
| | | | - Christopher W McKindsey
- Institut des Sciences de la mer, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institut Maurice Lamontagne, Mont-Joli, Canada
| | - Christian Nozais
- Québec-Océan, Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada
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Yang JW, Wu W, Chung CC, Chiang KP, Gong GC, Hsieh CH. Predator and prey biodiversity relationship and its consequences on marine ecosystem functioning-interplay between nanoflagellates and bacterioplankton. ISME JOURNAL 2018; 12:1532-1542. [PMID: 29703955 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0111-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The importance of biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning across trophic levels, especially via predatory-prey interactions, is receiving increased recognition. However, this topic has rarely been explored for marine microbes, even though microbial biodiversity contributes significantly to marine ecosystem function and energy flows. Here we examined diversity and biomass of bacteria (prey) and nanoflagellates (predators), as well as their effects on trophic transfer efficiency in the East China Sea. Specifically, we investigated: (i) predator diversity effects on prey biomass and trophic transfer efficiency (using the biomass ratio of predator/prey as a proxy), (ii) prey diversity effects on predator biomass and trophic transfer efficiency, and (iii) the relationship between predator and prey diversity. We found higher prey diversity enhanced both diversity and biomass of predators, as well as trophic transfer efficiency, which may arise from more balanced diet and/or enhanced niche complementarity owing to higher prey diversity. By contrast, no clear effect was detected for predator diversity on prey biomass and transfer efficiency. Notably, we found prey diversity effects on predator-prey interactions; whereas, we found no significant diversity effect on biomass within the same trophic level. Our findings highlight the importance of considering multi-trophic biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinny Wu Yang
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wenxue Wu
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Chih-Ching Chung
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology and Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ping Chiang
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology and Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Ching Gong
- Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology and Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Hsieh
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. .,National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Barnes AD, Jochum M, Lefcheck JS, Eisenhauer N, Scherber C, O'Connor MI, de Ruiter P, Brose U. Energy Flux: The Link between Multitrophic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning. Trends Ecol Evol 2018; 33:186-197. [PMID: 29325921 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Relating biodiversity to ecosystem functioning in natural communities has become a paramount challenge as links between trophic complexity and multiple ecosystem functions become increasingly apparent. Yet, there is still no generalised approach to address such complexity in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) studies. Energy flux dynamics in ecological networks provide the theoretical underpinning of multitrophic BEF relationships. Accordingly, we propose the quantification of energy fluxes in food webs as a powerful, universal tool for understanding ecosystem functioning in multitrophic systems spanning different ecological scales. Although the concept of energy flux in food webs is not novel, its application to BEF research remains virtually untapped, providing a framework to foster new discoveries into the determinants of ecosystem functioning in complex systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Barnes
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstrasse 2, 48149 Münster, Germany.
| | - Malte Jochum
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, 3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Scherber
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstrasse 2, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Mary I O'Connor
- Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Peter de Ruiter
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Biometris, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Brose
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger-Str. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
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