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Anacléto MJP, Linares MS, Faria APJ, da Silva Azevedo EP, Brasil LS, Juen L, Ligeiro R. Trichoptera Life Stages Present Distinct Responses to Environmental Conditions in Amazonian Streams. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 53:314-322. [PMID: 38110657 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-023-01108-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Biological communities have their biodiversity patterns affected by environmental, spatial, and biogeographic factors that vary from taxa to taxa, and often between life stages. This is especially true when there are differences in the habitat the species use in each of them. Individuals of the insect order Trichoptera are mostly aquatic in their larval stage and terrestrial in their adult stage, which may result in different behaviors and environmental requirements. Our goal was to evaluate the congruence between the larval and adult stages of Trichoptera in Amazonian streams regarding their abundance, richness, and assemblage composition. Additionally, we tried to identify the main environmental factors related to each life stage. For this, larvae and adults of Trichoptera were sampled in the same sites at 12 streams in the Caxiuanã National Forest, Pará state, Brazil. Adult assemblages had greater richness of genera and abundance of individuals than the larval ones, and there was no congruence in the genera composition between these life stages. Our results also showed that different environmental variables structured Trichoptera larvae and adults. Since the sampling of larvae and adults proved to be complementary in the studied streams, we advise that Trichoptera diversity surveys consider both life stages of these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria José P Anacléto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Marden Seabra Linares
- Instituto de Biociências, Depto de Botânica e Ecologia, Univ Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Humanas e Sociais, Univ Federal de Mato Grosso, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Justino Faria
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lab de Zoologia, Univ Estadual Do Piauí, Núcleo de Pesquisa em Insetos Aquáticos, Campo Maior, PI, Brazil
| | | | - Leandro Schlemmer Brasil
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Univ Federal de Mato Grosso, Pontal do Araguaia, MT, Brazil
| | - Leandro Juen
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Raphael Ligeiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lab de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ Federal Do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
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Simaika JP, Stribling J, Lento J, Bruder A, Poikane S, Moretti MS, Rivers-Moore N, Meissner K, Macadam CR. Towards harmonized standards for freshwater biodiversity monitoring and biological assessment using benthic macroinvertebrates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170360. [PMID: 38311088 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170360] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring programs at sub-national and national scales lack coordination, harmonization, and systematic review and analysis at continental and global scales, and thus fail to adequately assess and evaluate drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation and loss at large spatial scales. Here we review the state of the art, gaps and challenges in the freshwater assessment programs for both the biological condition (bioassessment) and biodiversity monitoring of freshwater ecosystems using the benthic macroinvertebrate community. To assess the existence of nationally- and regionally- (sub-nationally-) accepted freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate protocols that are put in practice/used in each country, we conducted a survey from November 2022 to May 2023. Responses from 110 respondents based in 67 countries were received. Although the responses varied in their consistency, the responses clearly demonstrated a lack of biodiversity monitoring being done at both national and sub-national levels for lakes, rivers and artificial waterbodies. Programs for bioassessment were more widespread, and in some cases even harmonized among several countries. We identified 20 gaps and challenges, which we classed into five major categories, these being (a) field sampling, (b) sample processing and identification, (c) metrics and indices, (d) assessment, and (e) other gaps and challenges. Above all, we identify the lack of harmonization as one of the most important gaps, hindering efficient collaboration and communication. We identify the IUCN SSC Global Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Sampling Protocols Task Force (GLOSAM) as a means to address the lack of globally-harmonized biodiversity monitoring and biological assessment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Simaika
- Department of Water Resources and Ecosystems, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the Netherlands.
| | - James Stribling
- Tetra Tech, Inc., Center for Ecological Sciences, Owings Mills, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer Lento
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Andreas Bruder
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland. Mendrisio, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcelo S Moretti
- Laboratory of Aquatic Insect Ecology, University of Vila Velha, Vila Velha, Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Nick Rivers-Moore
- Centre for Water Resources Research, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | | | - Craig R Macadam
- Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, United Kingdom
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Fergus CE, Brooks JR, Kaufmann PR, Herlihy AT, Hill RA, Mitchell RM, Ringold P. Disentangling natural and anthropogenic effects on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in western US streams. Ecosphere 2023; 14:1-24. [PMID: 38993516 PMCID: PMC11235210 DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Stream macroinvertebrate assemblages are shaped by natural and human-related factors that operate through complex hierarchical pathways. Quantifying these relationships can provide additional insights into stream ecological assessment. We applied a structural equation modeling framework to evaluate hypothesized pathways by which watershed, riparian, and in-stream factors affect benthic macroinvertebrate condition in the Western Mountains (WMT) and Xeric (XER) ecoregions in the United States. We developed a conceptual model grounded in theory, empirical evidence, and expert opinion to evaluate the following hypotheses: (1) macroinvertebrate assemblages are primarily driven by proximal, in-stream factors (e.g., water quality and physical habitat); (2) anthropogenic land uses affect macroinvertebrates indirectly by altering in-stream characteristics; and (3) riparian vegetation cover attenuates land use effects. We tested our model separately on three measures of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage condition: ratio of observed-to-expected taxonomic richness (O/E); a multimetric index (MMI); and richness of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa (EPT). In the WMT, site-level riparian cover, in-stream physical habitat (relative bed stability), and water chemistry (total nitrogen) were the top three predictors of macroinvertebrate assemblages, each having over two times the magnitude of effect on macroinvertebrates compared with watershed-level predictors. In the arid XER, annual precipitation and stream flow characteristics were top predictors of macroinvertebrate assemblages and had similar magnitudes of effect as in-stream water chemistry. Path analyses revealed that land use activities in the watershed and at the stream site degraded macroinvertebrate assemblages indirectly by altering relative bed stability, water quality, and riparian cover/complexity. Increased riparian cover was associated with greater macroinvertebrate condition by reducing land use impacts on stream flow, streambed substrate, and water quality, but the pathways differed among ecoregions. In the WMT, site-level riparian cover affected macroinvertebrate assemblages partly through indirect pathways associated with greater streambed stability and reduced total nitrogen concentrations. In contrast, in the XER, watershed-level riparian cover affected macroinvertebrate assemblages through greater specific stream power. Identifying the relative effects of and pathways by which natural and anthropogenic factors affect macroinvertebrates can serve as a framework for prioritizing management and conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Emi Fergus
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - J. Renée Brooks
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Science, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Alan T. Herlihy
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Science, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Ryan A. Hill
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Paul Ringold
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
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Chen K, Midway SR, Peoples BK, Wang B, Olden JD. Shifting taxonomic and functional community composition of rivers under land use change. Ecology 2023; 104:e4155. [PMID: 37611172 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Land use intensification has led to conspicuous changes in plant and animal communities across the world. Shifts in trait-based functional composition have recently been hypothesized to manifest at lower levels of environmental change when compared to species-based taxonomic composition; however, little is known about the commonalities in these responses across taxonomic groups and geographic regions. We investigated this hypothesis by testing for taxonomic and geographic similarities in the composition of riverine fish and insect communities across gradients of land use in major hydrological regions of the conterminous United States. We analyzed an extensive data set representing 556 species and 33 functional trait modalities from 8023 fish communities and 1434 taxa and 50 trait modalities from 5197 aquatic insect communities. Our results demonstrate abrupt threshold changes in both taxonomic and functional community composition due to land use conversion. Functional composition consistently demonstrated lower land use threshold responses compared to taxonomic composition for both fish (urban p = 0.069; agriculture p = 0.029) and insect (urban p = 0.095; agriculture p = 0.043) communities according to gradient forest models. We found significantly lower thresholds for urban versus agricultural land use for fishes (taxonomic and functional p < 0.001) and insects (taxonomic p = 0.001; functional p = 0.033). We further revealed that threshold responses in functional composition were more geographically consistent than for taxonomic composition to both urban and agricultural land use change. Traits contributing the most to overall functional composition change differed along urban and agricultural land gradients and conformed to predicted ecological mechanisms underpinning community change. This study points to reliable early-warning thresholds that accurately forecast compositional shifts in riverine communities to land use conversion, and highlight the importance of considering trait-based indicators of community change to inform large-scale land use management strategies and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Stephen R Midway
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Brandon K Peoples
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Beixin Wang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Julian D Olden
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Hughes RM, Herlihy AT, Comeleo R, Peck DV, Mitchell RM, Paulsen SG. Patterns in and predictors of stream and river macroinvertebrate genera and fish species richness across the conterminous USA. KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 2023; 424:1-16. [PMID: 37593206 PMCID: PMC10428169 DOI: 10.1051/kmae/2023014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Both native and non-native taxa richness patterns are useful for evaluating areas of greatest conservation concern. To determine those patterns, we analyzed fish and macroinvertebrate taxa richness data obtained at 3475 sites collected by the USEPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment. We also determined which natural and anthropogenic variables best explained patterns in regional richness. Macroinvertebrate and fish richness increased with the number of sites sampled per region. Therefore, we determined residual taxa richness from the deviation of observed richness from predicted richness given the number of sites per region. Regional richness markedly exceeded average site richness for both macroinvertebrates and fish. Predictors of macroinvertebrate-genus and fish-species residual-regional richness differed. Air temperature was an important predictor in both cases but was positive for fish and negative for macroinvertebrates. Both natural and land use variables were significant predictors of regional richness. This study is the first to determine mean site and regional richness of both fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates across the conterminous USA, and the key anthropogenic drivers of regional richness. Thus, it offers important insights into regional USA biodiversity hotspots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Alan T. Herlihy
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Randy Comeleo
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Richard M. Mitchell
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, MC 4502T, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Steven G. Paulsen
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, OR, USA
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Bueno ML, Heringer G, de Carvalho DR, Robinson TB, Pompeu PS, Zenni RD. Ecosystem variables importance in the presence and abundance of a globally invasive fish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162795. [PMID: 36907404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162795] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Changes in physical habitat that are associated with anthropogenic disturbances facilitate the establishment and expansion of non-native species in receiving environments. Here, we evaluated the relative importance of ecosystem variables for the presence and abundance of the invasive fish Poecilia reticulata in Brazil. We collected fish species and assessed environmental variables through an established physical habitat protocol in 220 stream sites located in southeastern and midwestern Brazil. A total of 14,816 P. reticulata individuals were collected in 43 stream sites, and 258 variables that describe the physical characteristics of streams were assessed, including measures of channel morphology, substrate size and type, habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, and human influence. Dimensionality reduction methods were employed to limit redundancy, resulting in a smaller set of the most relevant environmental variables. Subsequently, we used random forest models to assess the relative importance of these variables in determining the presence and abundance of P. reticulata. The presence of this invasive fish was primarily explained by human disturbance variables related to urbanization (total impact, pavement, artificial structure areal cover, riparian canopy cover, electrical conductivity, mean thalweg depth, and sand), whereas channel morphology (mean bank full height) and fish cover variables (natural fish cover, and aquatic macrophyte areal cover) were important predictors of its abundance. Identifying which ecosystem variables are favorable to the establishment of non-native species is an important step in preventing future biological invasions, as well as managing those that already occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Lopes Bueno
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil.
| | - Gustavo Heringer
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Débora Reis de Carvalho
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Tamara B Robinson
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland 7602, South Africa
| | - Paulo Santos Pompeu
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
| | - Rafael Dudeque Zenni
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG 37200-900, Brazil
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Saraiva SO, Rutherfurd ID, Kaufmann PR, Leal CG, Macedo DR, Pompeu PS. Wood stock in neotropical streams: Quantifying and comparing instream wood among biomes and regions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275464. [PMID: 36197927 PMCID: PMC9534444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Instream wood plays important chemical, physical and ecological functions in aquatic systems, benefiting biota directly and indirectly. However, human activities along river corridors have disrupted wood recruitment and retention, usually leading to reductions in the amount of instream wood. In the tropics, where wood is believed to be more transient, the expansion of agriculture and infrastructure might be reducing instream wood stock even more than in the better studied temperate streams. However, research is needed to augment the small amount of information about wood in different biomes and ecosystems of neotropical streams. Here we present the first extensive assessment of instream wood loads and size distributions in streams of the wet-tropical Amazon and semi-humid-tropical Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna). We also compare neotropical wood stocks with those in temperate streams, first comparing against data from the literature, and then from a comparable dataset from temperate biomes in the USA. Contrary to our expectations, Amazon and Cerrado streams carried similar wood loads, which were lower than the world literature average, but similar to those found in comparable temperate forest and savanna streams in the USA. Our results indicate that the field survey methods and the wood metric adopted are highly important when comparing different datasets. But when properly compared, we found that most of the wood in temperate streams is made-up of a small number of large pieces, whereas wood in neotropical streams is made up of a larger number of small pieces that produce similar total volumes. The character of wood volumes among biomes is linked more to the delivery, transport and decomposition mechanisms than to the total number of pieces. Future studies should further investigate the potential instream wood drivers in neotropical catchments in order to better understand the differences and similarities here detected between biomes and climatic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah O. Saraiva
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia Aplicada, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Ian D. Rutherfurd
- School of Geography, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Cecília G. Leal
- Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, United Kingdom
| | - Diego R. Macedo
- Departamento de Geografia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo S. Pompeu
- Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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9
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Kaufmann PR, Hughes RM, Paulsen SG, Peck DV, Seeliger CW, Kincaid T, Mitchell RM. Physical habitat in conterminous US streams and Rivers, part 2: A quantitative assessment of habitat condition. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2022; 141:109047. [PMID: 35991318 PMCID: PMC9389467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Rigorous assessments of the ecological condition of water resources and the effect of human activities on those waters require quantitative physical, chemical, and biological data. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's river and stream surveys quantify river and stream bed particle size and stability, instream habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, and anthropogenic disturbance activities. Physical habitat is strongly controlled by natural geoclimatic factors that co-vary with human activities. We expressed the anthropogenic alteration of physical habitat as O/E ratios of observed habitat metric values divided by values expected under least-disturbed reference conditions, where site-specific expected values vary given their geoclimatic and geomorphic context. We set criteria for good, fair, and poor condition based on the distribution of O/E values in regional least-disturbed reference sites. Poor conditions existed in 22-24% of the 1.2 million km of streams and rivers in the conterminous U.S. for riparian human disturbance, streambed sediment and riparian vegetation cover, versus 14% for instream habitat complexity. Based on the same four indicators, the percentage of stream length in poor condition within 9 separate U.S. ecoregions ranged from 4% to 42%. Associations of our physical habitat indices with anthropogenic pressures demonstrate the scope of anthropogenic habitat alteration; habitat condition was negatively related to the level of anthropogenic disturbance nationally and in nearly all ecoregions. Relative risk estimates showed that streams and rivers with poor sediment, riparian cover complexity, or instream habitat cover conditions were 1.4 to 2.6 times as likely to also have fish or macroinvertebrate assemblages in poor condition. Our physical habitat condition indicators help explain deviations in biological conditions from those observed among least-disturbed sites and inform management actions for rehabilitating impaired waters and mitigating further ecological degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation
Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation
Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 Southeast Glenn Street,
Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Steven G. Paulsen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | | | - Tom Kincaid
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
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Kaufmann PR, Hughes RM, Paulsen SG, Peck DV, Seeliger CW, Weber MH, Mitchell RM. Physical habitat in conterminous US streams and rivers, Part 1: Geoclimatic controls and anthropogenic alteration. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2022; 141:109046. [PMID: 35991319 PMCID: PMC9389819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic alteration of physical habitat structure in streams and rivers is increasingly recognized as a major cause of impairment worldwide. As part of their assessment of the status and trends in the condition of rivers and streams in the U.S., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) quantify and monitor channel size and slope, substrate size and stability, instream habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, anthropogenic disturbance activities, and channel-riparian interaction. Like biological assemblages and water chemistry, physical habitat is strongly controlled by natural geoclimatic factors that can obscure or amplify the influence of human activities. We developed a systematic approach to estimate the deviation of observed river and stream physical habitat from that expected in least-disturbed reference conditions. We applied this approach to calculate indices of anthropogenic alteration of three aspects of physical habitat condition in the conterminous U.S. (CONUS): streambed sediment size and stability, riparian vegetation cover, and instream habitat complexity. The precision and responsiveness of these indices led the USEPA to use them to evaluate physical habitat condition in CONUS rivers and streams. The scores of these indices systematically decreased with greater anthropogenic disturbance at river and stream sites in the CONUS and within ecoregions, which we interpret as a response of these physical habitat indices to anthropogenic influences. Although anthropogenic activities negatively influenced all three physical habitat indices in the least-disturbed sites within most ecoregions, natural geoclimatic and geomorphic factors were the dominant influences. For sites over the full range of anthropogenic disturbance, analyses of observed/expected sediment characteristics showed augmented flood flows and basin and riparian agriculture to be the leading predictors of streambed instability and excess fine sediments. Similarly, basin and riparian agriculture and non-agricultural riparian land uses were the leading predictors of reduced riparian vegetation cover complexity in the CONUS and within ecoregions. In turn, these reductions in riparian vegetation cover and complexity, combined with reduced summer low flows, were the leading predictors of instream habitat simplification. We conclude that quantitative measures of physical habitat structure are useful and important indicators of the impacts of human activities on stream and river condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation
Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation
Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 Southeast Glenn Street,
Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Steven G. Paulsen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | | | - Marc H. Weber
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research
and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific
Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
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Hughes RM, Zeigler M, Stringer S, Linam GW, Flotemersch J, Jessup B, Joseph S, Jacobi G, Guevara L, Cook R, Bradley P, Barrios K. Biological assessment of western USA sandy bottom rivers based on modeling historical and current fish and macroinvertebrate data. RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 38:639-656. [PMID: 35602909 PMCID: PMC9115846 DOI: 10.1002/rra.3929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Biological monitoring is important for assessing the ecological condition of surface waters. However, there are challenges in determining what constitutes reference conditions, what assemblages should be used as indicators, and how assemblage data should be converted into quantitative indicator scores. In this study, we developed and applied biological condition gradient (BCG) modeling to fish and macroinvertebrate data previously collected from large, sandy bottom southwestern USA rivers. Such rivers are particularly vulnerable to altered flow regimes resulting from dams, water withdrawals and climate change. We found that sensitive ubiquitous taxa for both fish and macroinvertebrates had been replaced by more tolerant taxa, but that the condition assessment ratings based on fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages differed. We conclude that the BCG models based on both macroinvertebrate and fish assemblage condition were useful for classifying the condition of southwestern USA sandy bottom rivers. However, our fish BCG model was slightly more sensitive than the macroinvertebrate model to anthropogenic disturbance, presumably because we had historical fish data, and because fish may be more sensitive to dams and altered flow regimes than are macroinvertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M. Hughes
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Shann Stringer
- New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Gordon W. Linam
- Texas Parks and Wildlife, River Studies Program, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Joseph Flotemersch
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Office of Research & Development, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Seva Joseph
- New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Gerald Jacobi
- New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, USA
| | - Lynette Guevara
- New Mexico Environment Department, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
| | - Robert Cook
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Region 6, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Fierro P, Hughes RM, Valdovinos C. Temporal Variability of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in a Mediterranean Coastal Stream: Implications for Bioassessment. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:873-885. [PMID: 34462896 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-021-00900-3] [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: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Macroinvertebrates from a small forest stream in central-south Chile were sampled monthly from September 2017 to August 2018 to assess temporal variability in the assemblage and the effects of that variability on ecological indicators. Higher precipitation and flows occurred in winter months, and water quality varied among months. We collected 59 macroinvertebrate taxa, finding higher taxa richness and abundances in summer months than in winter months. Four taxa demonstrated marked seasonality, being abundant in some months and then decreasing in following months (Limnoperla jaffueli (Navás), Nousia maculata (Demoulin), Smicridea sp. (McLachlan), Chironomidae spp.). The scores of the family Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI), Hilsenhoff Species-level Biotic Index (HSBI), Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index (MMI), and Chilean Biological Monitoring Working Party (ChBMWP) index varied throughout the year reflecting natural variability. However, only HBI and HSBI scores were significantly different among seasons, ranging across three water quality classes (excellent, very good, and good), showing the lowest water classes in spring, coinciding with higher abundances of tolerant species. The MMI and ChBMWP indicated good and very good site conditions throughout the year, respectively. Shannon-Weaver diversity ranged between 2.59 (April) and 1.78 (February); however, Pielou evenness had high values throughout the year (> 0.62), except in February. Changes in macroinvertebrates composition throughout the year were explained primarily by discharge, water temperature, and conductivity. Our findings indicate that natural monthly variability in macroinvertebrate assemblages influences the scores of biological indices throughout the year. Therefore, we recommend that natural stream variability be accounted for in biomonitoring programs. We also emphasize the need to use caution when interpreting biological index scores to avoid misinterpretations in stream quality classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Fierro
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Oregon, USA
- Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation, Oregon State University, Oregon, USA
| | - Claudio Valdovinos
- Depto de Sistemas Acuáticos, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Concepción, y Centro de Ciencias Ambientales EULA, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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Abstract
Globally, croplands and rangelands are major land uses and they have altered lands and waters for millennia. This continues to be the case throughout the USA, despite substantial improvements in treating wastewaters from point sources—versus non-point (diffuse) sources. Poor macroinvertebrate assemblage condition occurs in 30% of conterminous USA streams and rivers; poor fish assemblage condition occurs in 26%. The risk of poor fish assemblage condition was most strongly associated with excess nutrients, salinity and sedimentation and impaired riparian woody vegetation. Although the Clean Water Act was passed to restore and maintain the integrity of USA waters, that will be impossible without controlling agricultural pollution. Likewise, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act was enacted to protect the natural condition of public lands and waters, including fish habitat, but it has failed to curtail the sacred cows of livestock grazing. Although progress has been slow and spotty, promising results have been obtained from basin and watershed planning and riparian zone protections.
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Zhang B, Hughes RM, Davis WS, Cao C. Big data challenges in overcoming China's water and air pollution: relevant data and indicators. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2021; 3:469. [PMID: 33855273 PMCID: PMC7983073 DOI: 10.1007/s42452-021-04448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Big data are potentially useful for environmental management planning and actions that can be directed toward pollution control. China is using big data approaches to help reduce its current levels of pollution. However, also needed are better environmental indicators, measurement technologies, data management and reporting, and adaptive management and enforcement. Based on continental-extent monitoring and assessment programs in Europe and the USA, we recommend three major programmatic changes for China. (1) Establish long-term systemic environmental and human health objectives and indicators. (2) Adopt national standard methods for survey designs, sampling and analytical protocols, statistical analyses, and collaborative sampling programs. (3) Provide a transparent process for reporting and correcting data errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Information Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR USA
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR USA
| | | | - Cong Cao
- University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
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Henrique Monteiro do Amaral P, Rocha CHB, Alves RDG. Effect of eucalyptus plantations on the taxonomic and functional structure of aquatic insect assemblages in Neotropical springs. STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/01650521.2021.1895512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Monteiro do Amaral
- Laboratory of Benthic Invertebrates, Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Cézar Henrique Barra Rocha
- Institute of Engineering, Department of Transport, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - Roberto da Gama Alves
- Laboratory of Benthic Invertebrates, Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
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Hughes RM, Herlihy AT, Peck DV. Sampling Efforts for Estimating Fish Species Richness in Western USA River Sites. LIMNOLOGICA (ONLINE) 2021; 87:125859. [PMID: 34017150 PMCID: PMC8128690 DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2021.125859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Fish species richness is an indicator of river ecological condition but it is particularly difficult to estimate in large unwadeable rapidly flowing rivers. Intensive multi-gear sampling is time consuming, logistically complex and expensive. However, insufficient sampling effort underestimates species richness and yields inaccurate data about the ecological condition of river sites. We raft-electrofished 10 river sites in 10 different ecoregions and six western USA states for distances equal to 300 times their mean wetted channel widths (MCWs) to estimate the effort needed to approach asymptotes in fish species richness. To collect 90% of the observed fish species at the sites, we found that an average of 150 MCWs (ranging 80-210 MCWs) were needed, with the number of MCWs increasing in rivers with a higher proportion of spatially rare species. Frequently, the second or third additional 100 MCWs produced only one or two additional singletons or doubletons (species occurring only once or twice at a site). Before initiating sampling programs for adequately estimating species richness, we recommend assessing sampling effort, particularly if rare or uncommon species are expected or desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 SE Glenn Street, Corvallis, Oregon, 97333, USA
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - Alan T Herlihy
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, USA
| | - David V Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA
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Feio MJ, Hughes RM, Callisto M, Nichols SJ, Odume ON, Quintella BR, Kuemmerlen M, Aguiar FC, Almeida SF, Alonso-EguíaLis P, Arimoro FO, Dyer FJ, Harding JS, Jang S, Kaufmann PR, Lee S, Li J, Macedo DR, Mendes A, Mercado-Silva N, Monk W, Nakamura K, Ndiritu GG, Ogden R, Peat M, Reynoldson TB, Rios-Touma B, Segurado P, Yates AG. The Biological Assessment and Rehabilitation of the World's Rivers: An Overview. WATER 2021; 13:371. [PMID: 33868721 PMCID: PMC8048141 DOI: 10.3390/w13030371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The biological assessment of rivers i.e., their assessment through use of aquatic assemblages, integrates the effects of multiple-stressors on these systems over time and is essential to evaluate ecosystem condition and establish recovery measures. It has been undertaken in many countries since the 1990s, but not globally. And where national or multi-national monitoring networks have gathered large amounts of data, the poor water body classifications have not necessarily resulted in the rehabilitation of rivers. Thus, here we aimed to identify major gaps in the biological assessment and rehabilitation of rivers worldwide by focusing on the best examples in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North, Central, and South America. Our study showed that it is not possible so far to draw a world map of the ecological quality of rivers. Biological assessment of rivers and streams is only implemented officially nation-wide and regularly in the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, South Africa, and the USA. In Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, and Singapore it has been implemented officially at the state/province level (in some cases using common protocols) or in major catchments or even only once at the national level to define reference conditions (Australia). In other cases, biological monitoring is driven by a specific problem, impact assessments, water licenses, or the need to rehabilitate a river or a river section (as in Brazil, South Korea, China, Canada, Japan, Australia). In some countries monitoring programs have only been explored by research teams mostly at the catchment or local level (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) or implemented by citizen science groups (e.g., Southern Africa, Gambia, East Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada). The existing large-extent assessments show a striking loss of biodiversity in the last 2-3 decades in Japanese and New Zealand rivers (e.g., 42% and 70% of fish species threatened or endangered, respectively). A poor condition (below Good condition) exists in 25% of South Korean rivers, half of the European water bodies, and 44% of USA rivers, while in Australia 30% of the reaches sampled were significantly impaired in 2006. Regarding river rehabilitation, the greatest implementation has occurred in North America, Australia, Northern Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea. Most rehabilitation measures have been related to improving water quality and river connectivity for fish or the improvement of riparian vegetation. The limited extent of most rehabilitation measures (i.e., not considering the entire catchment) often constrains the improvement of biological condition. Yet, many rehabilitation projects also lack pre-and/or post-monitoring of ecological condition, which prevents assessing the success and shortcomings of the recovery measures. Economic constraints are the most cited limitation for implementing monitoring programs and rehabilitation actions, followed by technical limitations, limited knowledge of the fauna and flora and their life-history traits (especially in Africa, South America and Mexico), and poor awareness by decision-makers. On the other hand, citizen involvement is recognized as key to the success and sustainability of rehabilitation projects. Thus, establishing rehabilitation needs, defining clear goals, tracking progress towards achieving them, and involving local populations and stakeholders are key recommendations for rehabilitation projects (Table 1). Large-extent and long-term monitoring programs are also essential to provide a realistic overview of the condition of rivers worldwide. Soon, the use of DNA biological samples and eDNA to investigate aquatic diversity could contribute to reducing costs and thus increase monitoring efforts and a more complete assessment of biodiversity. Finally, we propose developing transcontinental teams to elaborate and improve technical guidelines for implementing biological monitoring programs and river rehabilitation and establishing common financial and technical frameworks for managing international catchments. We also recommend providing such expert teams through the United Nations Environment Program to aid the extension of biomonitoring, bioassessment, and river rehabilitation knowledge globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Feio
- Department of Life Sciences, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Laboratory of Ecology of Benthos, Department of Genetic, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Susan J. Nichols
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2601 Canberra, Australia
| | - Oghenekaro N. Odume
- Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality, Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Bernardo R. Quintella
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Évora, 7000-812 Évora, Portugal
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mathias Kuemmerlen
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity Centre for the Environment, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Francisca C. Aguiar
- Centro de Estudos Florestais, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Salomé F.P. Almeida
- Department of Biology and GeoBioTec—GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Perla Alonso-EguíaLis
- Mexican Institute of Water Technology, Bioindicators Laboratory, Jiutepec Morelos 62550, Mexico
| | - Francis O. Arimoro
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology (Applied Hydrobiology Unit), Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65 Minna, Nigeria
| | - Fiona J. Dyer
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, 2601 Canberra, Australia
| | - Jon S. Harding
- School of Biologcal Sciences, University of Canterbury, 8140 Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Sukhwan Jang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Daejin University, Hoguk-ro, Pocheon-si 1007, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Samhee Lee
- Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT), 283 Goyangdaero, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10223, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Jianhua Li
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Diego R. Macedo
- Department of Geography, Geomorphology and Water Resources Laboratory, Institute of Geosciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Mendes
- MED—Instituto Mediterrâneo para a Agricultura, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, LabOr—Laboratório de Ornitologia, Universidade de Évora, Polo da Mitra, 7002-774 Évora, Portugal
| | - Norman Mercado-Silva
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Conservacíon, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, 62209 Morelos, Mexico
| | - Wendy Monk
- Environment and Climate Change Canada and, Canadian Rivers Institute, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - Keigo Nakamura
- Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba 305-8516, Japan
| | - George G. Ndiritu
- School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Karatina University, P.O. Box 1957, 10101 Karatina, Kenya
| | - Ralph Ogden
- Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, 2601 Canberra, Australia
| | - Michael Peat
- Wetlands, Policy and Northern Water Use Branch, Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, 2601 Canberra, Australia
| | | | - Blanca Rios-Touma
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Aplicadas, Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad de Las Américas, Vía Nayón S/N, 170503 Quito, Ecuador
| | - Pedro Segurado
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Adam G. Yates
- Department of Geography, Western University and Canadian Rivers Institute, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada
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Lomnicky GA, Hughes RM, Peck DV, Ringold PL. Correspondence between a recreational fishery index and ecological condition for U.S.A. streams and rivers. FISHERIES RESEARCH 2021; 223:105749. [PMID: 34334849 PMCID: PMC8318132 DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Sport fishing is an important recreational and economic activity, especially in Australia, Europe and North America, and the condition of sport fish populations is a key ecological indicator of water body condition for millions of anglers and the public. Despite its importance as an ecological indicator representing the status of sport fish populations, an index for measuring this ecosystem service has not been quantified by analyzing actual fish taxa, size and abundance data across the U.S.A. Therefore, we used game fish data collected from 1,561 stream and river sites located throughout the conterminous U.S.A. combined with specific fish species and size dollar weights to calculate site-specific recreational fishery index (RFI) scores. We then regressed those scores against 38 potential site-specific environmental predictor variables, as well as site-specific fish assemblage condition (multimetric index; MMI) scores based on entire fish assemblages, to determine the factors most associated with the RFI scores. We found weak correlations between RFI and MMI scores and weak to moderate correlations with environmental variables, which varied in importance with each of 9 ecoregions. We conclude that the RFI is a useful indicator of a stream ecosystem service, which should be of greater interest to the USA public and traditional fishery management agencies than are MMIs, which tend to be more useful for ecologists, environmentalists and environmental quality agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute, 2895 SE Glenn, Corvallis, OR, 97333
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Paul L. Ringold
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
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Alvarenga LRP, Pompeu PS, Leal CG, Hughes RM, Fagundes DC, Leitão RP. Land-use changes affect the functional structure of stream fish assemblages in the Brazilian Savanna. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract We investigated the mechanisms involved in the relationship between land-use changes and aquatic biodiversity, using stream fish assemblages of the Brazilian Savanna (i.e., Cerrado) as a study model. We tested the prediction that landscape degradation would decrease environmental heterogeneity and change predominant physical-habitat types, which in turn would decrease the functional diversity and alter the functional identity of fish assemblages. We sampled fish from 40 streams in the Upper Paraná River basin, and assessed catchment and instream conditions. We then conducted an ecomorphological analysis to functionally characterize all species (36) and quantify different facets of the functional structure of assemblages. We detected multiple pathways of the impacts from landscape changes on the fish assemblages. Catchment degradation reduced the stream-bed complexity and the heterogeneity of canopy shading, decreasing assemblage functional specialization and divergence. Landscape changes also reduced the water volume and the amount of large rocks in streams, resulting in decreased abundances of species with large bodies and with morphological traits that favor swimming in the water column. We conclude that land-use intensification caused significant changes in aquatic biodiversity in the Cerrado, reinforcing the need to pay special attention to this global hotspot.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmilla R. P. Alvarenga
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Mello KD, Taniwaki RH, Paula FRD, Valente RA, Randhir TO, Macedo DR, Leal CG, Rodrigues CB, Hughes RM. Multiscale land use impacts on water quality: Assessment, planning, and future perspectives in Brazil. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 270:110879. [PMID: 32721318 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Brazil contains the largest volume of freshwater of any nation in the world; however, this essential natural resource is threatened by rapid increases in water consumption and water quality degradation, mainly as a result of anthropogenic pressures. Declining water quality has become an increasingly more significant global concern as economic activities and human populations expand and climate change markedly alters hydrological cycles. Changes in land-use/land-cover (LULC) pattern have been recognized as a major driver of water quality degradation, however different LULC types and intensities affect water quality in different ways. In addition, the relationships between LULC and water quality may differ for different spatial and temporal scales. The increase in deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urban sprawl in Brazil highlights the need for water quality protection to ensure immediate human needs and to maintain the quality of water supplies in the long-term. Thus, this manuscript provides an overview of the relationships between LULC and water quality in Brazil, aiming at understanding the effects of different LULC types on water quality, how spatial and temporal scales contribute to these effects, and how such knowledge can improve watershed management and future projections. In general, agriculture and urban areas are the main LULCs responsible for water quality degradation in Brazil. However, although representing a small percentage of the territory, mining has a high impact on water quality. Water quality variables respond differently at different spatial scales, so spatial extent is an important aspect to be considered in studies and management. LULC impacts on water quality also vary seasonally and lag effects mean they take time to occur. Forest restoration can improve water quality and multicriteria evaluation has been applied to identify priority areas for forest restoration and conservation aiming at protecting water quality, but both need further exploration. Watershed modelling has been applied to simulate future impacts of LULC change on water quality, but data availability must be improved to increase the number, locations and duration of studies. Because of the international nature of watersheds and the consistent relationships between land use and water quality in Brazil, we believe our results will also aid water management in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaline de Mello
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, R. do Matão, 321, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki
- Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, Santo Andre, SP, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Rossetti de Paula
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, R. Padua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Roberta Averna Valente
- Department of Environmental Science, Federal University of São Carlos, Sorocaba Campus, Rodovia João Leme dos Santos (SP-264), km 110, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
| | - Timothy O Randhir
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, 160 Holdsworth Way, Holdsworth Hall, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Diego Rodrigues Macedo
- Department of Geography, Institute of Geosciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31.270-901, Brazil.
| | - Cecília Gontijo Leal
- Department of Forest Sciences, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, R. Padua Dias, 11, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR, 7331-3803, USA.
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Liu B, Chen S, Liu H, Guan Y. Blue-green algae enhanced performance of diatom-based multimetric index on defining lake condition under high level of human disturbance. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 730:138846. [PMID: 32388363 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Degradation of lake conditions could result from many stressors generated by human disturbance. Accurately defining lake ecological condition by multimetric index (MMI) method is of great importance for tracking source of stressors and lake management. For algal assessment, seldom have structural and functional attributes of soft-bodied planktonic algae metrics, one important dimension of biological condition, been used to develop MMI in conjunction with diatom metrics. Another thing is that some researchers found MMI method does not perform well in mid- and high-disturbed lakes. To test the aforementioned questions, we used data sets of the 2007 National Lake Assessment project of the USEPA to develop MMIs with and without using soft-bodied planktonic algae metrics for plains and lowlands area (PLNLOW, high disturbed region of the US) and across the conterminous US. Compared to site groups modeled by single diatom assemblages, we found integrating soft-bodied planktonic algae metric (especially blue-green algae metric) into developing MMIs can significantly improve performance of MMI in PLNLOW region. The separation powers of MMIs of five level III ecoregions, developed by incorporating blue-green algae metric, are consistently higher than those developed by single diatom assemblages (p-value = 0.029). However, when blue-green algae metric was applied to develop MMI along with diatom metrics in the national scale assessment, performances of MMIs are similar to that developed by diatom metrics (0.14 < p-value < 0.86). Different performance of MMIs developed by integrating blue-green algae metric at different spatial scales indicated the usefulness of blue-green algae metric in ecological assessment in mid- and high- disturbed lakes and a tiered approach for using diatom and blue-green algae metric in ecological assessment. We suggest using blue-green algae metric in combined with diatom metric to develop MMI when lakes are mid- and high-disturbed, while a routine diatom assessment would be enough for minimally disturbed sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Shuo Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Pharmacy Science, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Yueqiang Guan
- School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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Ligeiro R, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Heino J, Melo AS, Callisto M. Choice of field and laboratory methods affects the detection of anthropogenic disturbances using stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2020; 115:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106382. [PMID: 34121931 PMCID: PMC8193819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and precise detection of anthropogenic impacts on stream ecosystems using macroinvertebrates as biological indicators depends on the use of appropriate field and laboratory methods. We assessed the responsiveness to anthropogenic disturbances of assemblage metrics and composition by comparing commonly employed alternative combinations of field sampling and individuals counting methods. Four datasets were derived by, in the field 1) conducting multihabitat sampling (MH) or 2) targeting samples in leaf packs (single-habitat sampling - SH) and, in the laboratory A) counting all individuals of the samples, or B) simulating subsampling of 300 individuals per sample. We collected our data from 39 headwater stream sites in a drainage basin located in the Brazilian Cerrado. We used a previously published quantitative integrated disturbance index (IDI), based on both local and catchment disturbance measurements, to characterize the intensity of anthropogenic alterations at each site. Family richness and % Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (% EPT) individuals obtained from each dataset were tested against the IDI through simple linear regressions, and the differences in assemblage composition between least- and most-disturbed sites was tested using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA). When counting all individuals, differences in taxonomic richness and assemblage composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages between least- and most-disturbed sites were more pronounced in the MH than in the SH sampling method. Leaf packs seemed to concentrate high abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates in highly disturbed sites, acting as 'biodiversity hotbeds' in these situations, which likely reduced the response of the assemblages to the disturbance gradient when this substrate was targeted. However, MH sampling produced weaker results than SH when subsampling was performed. The % EPT individuals responded better to the disturbance gradient when SH was employed, and its efficiency was not affected by the subsampling procedure. We conclude that no single method was the best in all situations, and the efficiency of a sampling protocol depends on the combination of field and laboratory methods being used. Although the total count of individuals with multihabitat sampling obtained the best results for most of the evaluated variables, the decision of which procedures to use depends on the amount of time and resources available, on the variables of interest, on the availability of habitat types in the sites sampled, and on the other methods being employed in the sampling protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Ligeiro
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Av. Augusto Correia 01, CEP 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, 97333, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jani Heino
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, 90570, Oulu, Finland
| | - Adriano S. Melo
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Ecologia, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Czeglédi I, Kern B, Tóth R, Seress G, Erős T. Impacts of Urbanization on Stream Fish Assemblages: The Role of the Species Pool and the Local Environment. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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24
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Herlihy AT, Sifneos JC, Hughes RM, Peck DV, Mitchell RM. The Relation of Lotic Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Condition Indices to Environmental Factors Across the Conterminous USA. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2020; 112:10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105958. [PMID: 33628123 PMCID: PMC7898157 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
National and regional ecological assessments are essential for making rational decisions concerning water body conservation and management at those spatial extents. We analyzed data from 4597 samples collected from 3420 different sites across the conterminous USA during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 National Rivers and Streams Assessment. We evaluated the relationship between both fish and macroinvertebrate multimetric index (MMI) condition scores and 38 environmental factors to assess the relative importance of natural versus anthropogenic predictors, contrast site-scale versus watershed-scale predictors, and examine ecoregional and assemblage differences. We found that most of the environmental factors we examined were related to either fish and/or macroinvertebrate MMI scores in some fashion and that the factors involved, and strength of the relationship, varied by ecoregion and between assemblages. Factors more associated with natural conditions were usually less important in explaining MMI scores than factors more directly associated with anthropogenic disturbances. Local site-scale factors explained more variation than watershed-scale factors. Random forest and multiple regression models performed similarly, and the fish MMI-environment relationships were stronger than macroinvertebrate MMI-environment relationships. Among ecoregions, the strongest environmental relationships were observed in the Northern Appalachians and the weakest in the Southern Plains. The fish and macroinvertebrate MMIs were only weakly correlated with each other, and they generally responded more strongly to different groups of variables. These results support the use of multiple assemblages and the sampling of multiple environmental indicators in ecological assessments across large spatial extents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean C. Sifneos
- Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute & Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - David V. Peck
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, Corvallis, Oregon 97333, USA
| | - Richard M. Mitchell
- United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, MC 4502T, Washington, DC 20460
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27
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Chen K, Rajper AR, Hughes RM, Olson JR, Wei H, Wang B. Incorporating functional traits to enhance multimetric index performance and assess land use gradients. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 691:1005-1015. [PMID: 31326793 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Taxonomic-based multimetric indices (MMIs) have been widely employed for assessing ecosystem status, particularly through the use of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. However, the functional diversity and composition of assemblages is also important for maintaining stream ecosystem condition. Nonetheless, aquatic insect functional diversity and composition have not commonly been included in MMIs. Our goal was to advance our understanding of the performance and ecological interpretation of an MMI that potentially combined functional and taxonomic metrics. We sampled aquatic insects and natural and land-use variables at 74 temperate Chinese streams. We selected a candidate set of 36 functional and 20 taxonomic metrics that were screened by range tests, natural variation, responsiveness to anthropogenic disturbance, and redundancy for subsequent inclusion in MMIs. We determined if natural variation adjustments improved the performance of a functional-taxonomic MMI. Finally, we evaluated the degree to which the functional-taxonomic MMI served as an early-warning indicator of land use intensity. Natural variation explained between 19.62% and 71.02% of metric variability, indicating that functional metrics changed systematically along natural gradients. The final functional-taxonomic MMI adjusted for natural variation incorporated multiple aspects of assemblage characteristics: functional richness, Rao's quadratic entropy, abundance-weighted frequency of soft bodies, abundance-weighted frequency of predators, and number of Diptera taxa. In contrast to the natural variation unadjusted MMI, the functional-taxonomic adjusted MMI clearly distinguished least-disturbed sites from most-disturbed sites, exhibited high precision and low bias, and showed a significant negative response to land uses. The slope of a linear regression relative to 0-10% urban and 0-20% agriculture was significantly steeper for the functional-taxonomic adjusted MMI than that of the taxonomic adjusted MMI. We conclude that functional-taxonomic adjusted MMIs are more effective indicators of ecological condition and risks to biota from human pressures than are purely taxonomic unadjusted MMIs because functional-taxonomic MMIs are more sensitive to subtle anthropogenic pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Chen
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
| | - Abdul Razzaque Rajper
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.
| | - John R Olson
- School of Natural Sciences, California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA 93955, USA.
| | - Huiyu Wei
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
| | - Beixin Wang
- Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
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28
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McCauley DJ, Arnold WJ, Saxton JB, Turner CJ. Applying adaptive management and lessons learned from national assessments to address logistical challenges in the National Wetland Condition Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:329. [PMID: 31222449 PMCID: PMC6586718 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) is one of a series of probability-based National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the Nation's waters. Randomized design and standardized training and protocols allow USEPA to analyze data that are nationally consistent and regionally relevant. Each NARS assessment was preceded by careful consideration of key logistical elements that included pre-survey planning, training, sampling logistics, and laboratory analysis. Numerous state, tribal, and contractor crews were supported across the country for each assessment; sampling and sample analyses were tracked from initiation; laboratory analyses were completed at USEPA, state, regional, and contract laboratories; and the data analyses and reporting were completed by USEPA-led workgroups, states, and contractors. The complexity and difficulty of each step offered unique challenges and provided lessons learned for each of the NARS assessments. Major logistical elements for implementing large scale assessments that are constrained by sampling period and number and duration of visits are covered in this paper. These elements include sample transport, equipment and supplies, sampling and sample tracking, information management regional technical expertise, and a sound field training program. This paper describes how lessons from previous assessments were applied to the NWCA and how new challenges faced in the NWCA were addressed and carried forward into future surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J McCauley
- Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inc., Traverse City, MI, USA
| | - W J Arnold
- Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inc., Traverse City, MI, USA.
| | - J B Saxton
- Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inc., Traverse City, MI, USA
| | - C J Turner
- Great Lakes Environmental Center, Inc., Traverse City, MI, USA
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Li Y, Yang N, Qian B, Yang Z, Liu D, Niu L, Zhang W. Development of a bacteria-based index of biotic integrity (Ba-IBI) for assessing ecological health of the Three Gorges Reservoir in different operation periods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 640-641:255-263. [PMID: 29859441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It is urgently needed to quantitatively assess ecological health of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) when considering its special environmental conditions and temporal variations caused by reservoir operation. This study developed a bacteria-based index of biotic integrity (Ba-IBI) based on sediment samples collected along the TGR in low water level period, impoundment period and sluicing period, respectively. Reference conditions were defined using 8 ecological variables describing the hydromorphology and anthropogenic disturbances around the sites. Five core metrics, including % Acidobacteria, % Gemmatimonadetes, % Geobacter, Methanotroph and Phototroph, were selected after the screening processes. The developed index could clearly discriminate reference and impaired conditions and exhibited significant relationship with environmental parameters according to the redundancy (p < 0.01) and multivariable linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.76). By implementing Ba-IBI in the TGR, the ecological health of the sampling sites was defined as "Excellent" (25%), "Good" (50%) and "Fair" (25%) separately. The spatial variation of biotic integrity was closely associated with environmental and ecological changes, especially the increase of nutrient concentrations. This study revealed a significant tendency that the ecological health in the low water level and sluicing periods was better than that in the impoundment period, which could be attributed to the hydrodynamic changes due to water level fluctuation. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of ecological health of the TGR in different operation periods and the index offers a guideline for the reservoir regulation in the similar areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Nan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Bao Qian
- Hydrology Bureau of Changjiang Water Resources Commission, Wuhan, Hubei 430010, PR China
| | - Zhengjian Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of River-lakes and Algal Utilization, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Defu Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of River-lakes and Algal Utilization, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, Hubei Province, PR China
| | - Lihua Niu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Wenlong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
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30
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Macedo DR, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Callisto M. Development and validation of an environmental fragility index (EFI) for the neotropical savannah biome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:1267-1279. [PMID: 29710580 PMCID: PMC6126927 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Augmented production and transport of fine sediments resulting from increased human activities are major threats to freshwater ecosystems, including reservoirs and their ecosystem services. To support large scale assessment of the likelihood of soil erosion and reservoir sedimentation, we developed and validated an environmental fragility index (EFI) for the Brazilian neotropical savannah. The EFI was derived from measured geoclimatic controls on sediment production (rainfall, variation of elevation and slope, geology) and anthropogenic pressures (natural cover, road density, distance from roads and urban centers) in 111 catchments upstream of four large hydroelectric reservoirs. We evaluated the effectiveness of the EFI by regressing it against a relative bed stability index (LRBS) that assesses the degree to which stream sites draining into the reservoirs are affected by excess fine sediments. We developed the EFI on 111 of these sites and validated our model on the remaining 37 independent sites. We also compared the effectiveness of the EFI in predicting LRBS with that of a multiple linear regression model (via best-subset procedure) using 7 independent variables. The EFI was significantly correlated with the LRBS, with regression R2 values of 0.32 and 0.40, respectively, in development and validation sites. Although the EFI and multiple regression explained similar amounts of variability (R2 = 0.32 vs 0.36), the EFI had a higher F-ratio (51.6 vs 8.5) and better AICc value (333 vs 338). Because the sites were randomly selected and well-distributed across geoclimatic controlling factors, we were able to calculate spatially-explicit EFI values for all hydrologic units within the study area (~38,500 km2). This model-based inference showed that over 65% of those units had high or extreme fragility. This methodology has great potential for application in the management, recovery, and preservation of hydroelectric reservoirs and streams in tropical river basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego R Macedo
- Departamento de Geografia, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Philip R Kaufmann
- Western Ecology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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31
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Silva DRO, Herlihy AT, Hughes RM, Macedo DR, Callisto M. Assessing the extent and relative risk of aquatic stressors on stream macroinvertebrate assemblages in the neotropical savanna. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 633:179-188. [PMID: 29573684 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Déborah R O Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Alan T Herlihy
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, 97331-3803, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, 97331-3803, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| | - Diego R Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Geociência, Departamento de Geografia, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Segurado P, Almeida C, Neves R, Ferreira MT, Branco P. Understanding multiple stressors in a Mediterranean basin: Combined effects of land use, water scarcity and nutrient enrichment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 624:1221-1233. [PMID: 29929235 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Revised: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
River basins are extremely complex hierarchical and directional systems that are affected by a multitude of interacting stressors. This complexity hampers effective management and conservation planning to be effectively implemented, especially under climate change. The objective of this work is to provide a wide scale approach to basin management by interpreting the effect of isolated and interacting factors in several biotic elements (fish, macroinvertebrates, phytobenthos and macrophytes). For that, a case study in the Sorraia basin (Central Portugal), a Mediterranean system mainly facing water scarcity and diffuse pollution problems, was chosen. To develop the proposed framework, a combination of process-based modelling to simulate hydrological and nutrient enrichment stressors and empirical modelling to relate these stressors - along with land use and natural background - with biotic indicators, was applied. Biotic indicators based on ecological quality ratios from WFD biomonitoring data were used as response variables. Temperature, river slope, % of agriculture in the upstream catchment and total N were the variables more frequently ranked as the most relevant. Both the two significant interactions found between single hydrological and nutrient enrichment stressors indicated antagonistic effects. This study demonstrates the potentialities of coupling process-based modelling with empirical modelling within a single framework, allowing relationships among different ecosystem states to be hierarchized, interpreted and predicted at multiple spatial and temporal scales. It also demonstrates how isolated and interacting stressors can have a different impact on biotic quality. When performing conservation or management plans, the stressor hierarchy should be considered as a way of prioritizing actions in a cost-effective perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Segurado
- Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Centro de Estudos Florestais, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Carina Almeida
- Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico, MARETEC, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ramiro Neves
- Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico, MARETEC, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Ferreira
- Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Centro de Estudos Florestais, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo Branco
- Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Centro de Estudos Florestais, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
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Leal CG, Barlow J, Gardner TA, Hughes RM, Leitão RP, Nally RM, Kaufmann PR, Ferraz SFB, Zuanon J, de Paula FR, Ferreira J, Thomson JR, Lennox GD, Dary EP, Röpke CP, Pompeu PS. Is environmental legislation conserving tropical stream faunas? A large-scale assessment of local, riparian and catchment-scale influences on Amazonian fish. J Appl Ecol 2018; 55:1312-1326. [PMID: 32831394 PMCID: PMC7433846 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Agricultural expansion and intensification are major threats to tropical biodiversity. In addition to the direct removal of native vegetation, agricultural expansion often elicits other human-induced disturbances, many of which are poorly addressed by existing environmental legislation and conservation programmes. This is particularly true for tropical freshwater systems, where there is considerable uncertainty about whether a legislative focus on protecting riparian vegetation is sufficient to conserve stream fauna.To assess the extent to which stream fish are being effectively conserved in agricultural landscapes, we examined the spatial distribution of assemblages in river basins to identify the relative importance of human impacts at instream, riparian and catchment scales, in shaping observed patterns. We used an extensive dataset on the ecological condition of 83 low-order streams distributed in three river basins in the eastern Brazilian Amazon.We collected and identified 24,420 individual fish from 134 species. Multiplicative diversity partitioning revealed high levels of compositional dissimilarity (DS) among stream sites (DS = 0.74 to 0.83) and river basins (DS = 0.82), due mainly to turnover (77.8% to 81.8%) rather than nestedness. The highly heterogeneous fish faunas in small Amazonian streams underscore the vital importance of enacting measures to protect forests on private lands outside of public protected areas.Instream habitat features explained more variability in fish assemblages (15%-19%) than riparian (2%-12%), catchment (4%-13%) or natural covariates (4%-11%). Although grouping species into functional guilds allowed us to explain up to 31% of their abundance (i.e. for nektonic herbivores), individual riparian - and catchment - scale predictor variables that are commonly a focus of environmental legislation explained very little of the observed variation (partial R2 values mostly <5%).Policy implications. Current rates of agricultural intensification and mechanization in tropical landscapes are unprecedented, yet the existing legislative frameworks focusing on protecting riparian vegetation seem insufficient to conserve stream environments and their fish assemblages. To safeguard the species-rich freshwater biota of small Amazonian streams, conservation actions must shift towards managing whole basins and drainage networks, as well as agricultural practices in already-cleared land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecília G. Leal
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
- Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Rafael P. Leitão
- National Institute for Amazonia Research, Manaus, AM, Brazil
- Department of General Biology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, The University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Silvio F. B. Ferraz
- Forest Hydrology Laboratory (LHF), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Jansen Zuanon
- National Institute for Amazonia Research, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Felipe R. de Paula
- Forest Hydrology Laboratory (LHF), Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - James R. Thomson
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Vic., Australia
| | - Gareth D. Lennox
- Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, PA, Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Eurizângela P. Dary
- Institute of Natural, Human and Social Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop, MT, Brazil
| | - Cristhiana P. Röpke
- Faculty of Agrarian Sciences and Institute of Biology, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Paulo S. Pompeu
- Fish Ecology Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil
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Leitão RP, Zuanon J, Mouillot D, Leal CG, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Villéger S, Pompeu PS, Kasper D, de Paula FR, Ferraz SFB, Gardner TA. Disentangling the pathways of land use impacts on the functional structure of fish assemblages in Amazon streams. ECOGRAPHY 2018; 41:219-232. [PMID: 29910537 PMCID: PMC5998685 DOI: 10.1111/ecog.02845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural land use is a primary driver of environmental impacts on streams. However, the causal processes that shape these impacts operate through multiple pathways and at several spatial scales. This complexity undermines the development of more effective management approaches, and illustrates the need for more in-depth studies to assess the mechanisms that determine changes in stream biodiversity. Here we present results of the most comprehensive multi-scale assessment of the biological condition of streams in the Amazon to date, examining functional responses of fish assemblages to land use. We sampled fish assemblages from two large human-modified regions, and characterized stream conditions by physical habitat attributes and key landscape-change variables, including density of road crossings (i.e. riverscape fragmentation), deforestation, and agricultural intensification. Fish species were functionally characterized using ecomorphological traits describing feeding, locomotion, and habitat preferences, and these traits were used to derive indices that quantitatively describe the functional structure of the assemblages. Using structural equation modeling, we disentangled multiple drivers operating at different spatial scales, identifying causal pathways that significantly affect stream condition and the structure of the fish assemblages. Deforestation at catchment and riparian network scales altered the channel morphology and the stream bottom structure, changing the functional identity of assemblages. Local deforestation reduced the functional evenness of assemblages (i.e. increased dominance of specific trait combinations) mediated by expansion of aquatic vegetation cover. Riverscape fragmentation reduced functional richness, evenness and divergence, suggesting a trend toward functional homogenization and a reduced range of ecological niches within assemblages following the loss of regional connectivity. These results underscore the often-unrecognized importance of different land use changes, each of which can have marked effects on stream biodiversity. We draw on the relationships observed herein to suggest priorities for the improved management of stream systems in the multiple-use landscapes that predominate in human-modified tropical forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael P Leitão
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jansen Zuanon
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Mouillot
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecília G Leal
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert M Hughes
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip R Kaufmann
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Villéger
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paulo S Pompeu
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniele Kasper
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Felipe R de Paula
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvio F B Ferraz
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Toby A Gardner
- R. P. Leitão (http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-0068) , Depto de Biologia Geral, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. - J. Zuanon, D. Kasper and RPL, Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Inst. Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil. DK also at: Univ. Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. - D. Mouillot, S. Villéger and RPL, Laboratoire biodiversité marine et ses usages, UMR 9190 MARBEC CNRS-UM-IRD-IFREMER, Univ. de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. DM also at: Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Univ., Townsville, QLD, Australia. - C. G. Leal and P. S. Pompeu, Depto de Biologia, Univ. Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil. CGL also at: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Univ., Lancaster, UK, and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Brazil. - R. M. Hughes, Amnis Opes Inst. and Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, USA. - P. R. Kaufmann, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, USA. - Felipe R. de Paula and Silvio F. B. Ferraz, Laboratório de Hidrologia Florestal (LHF), ESALQ, Univ. de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. - T. A. Gardner, Stockholm Environment Inst., Stockholm, Sweden
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Ellingsen KE, Yoccoz NG, Tveraa T, Hewitt JE, Thrush SF. Long-term environmental monitoring for assessment of change: measurement inconsistencies over time and potential solutions. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:595. [PMID: 29086027 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The importance of long-term environmental monitoring and research for detecting and understanding changes in ecosystems and human impacts on natural systems is widely acknowledged. Over the last decades, a number of critical components for successful long-term monitoring have been identified. One basic component is quality assurance/quality control protocols to ensure consistency and comparability of data. In Norway, the authorities require environmental monitoring of the impacts of the offshore petroleum industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, and in 1996, a large-scale regional environmental monitoring program was established. As a case study, we used a sub-set of data from this monitoring to explore concepts regarding best practices for long-term environmental monitoring. Specifically, we examined data from physical and chemical sediment samples and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages from 11 stations from six sampling occasions during the period 1996-2011. Despite the established quality assessment and quality control protocols for this monitoring program, we identified several data challenges, such as missing values and outliers, discrepancies in variable and station names, changes in procedures without calibration, and different taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, we show that the use of different laboratories over time makes it difficult to draw conclusions with regard to some of the observed changes. We offer recommendations to facilitate comparison of data over time. We also present a new procedure to handle different taxonomic resolution, so valuable historical data is not discarded. These topics have a broader relevance and application than for our case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari E Ellingsen
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Nigel G Yoccoz
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Torkild Tveraa
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Judi E Hewitt
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Simon F Thrush
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Yu Z, Wang H, Meng J, Miao M, Kong Q, Wang R, Liu J. Quantifying the responses of biological indices to rare macroinvertebrate taxa exclusion: Does excluding more rare taxa cause more error? Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1583-1591. [PMID: 28261467 PMCID: PMC5330898 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Including or excluding rare taxa in bioassessment is a controversial topic, which essentially affects the reliability and accuracy of the result. In the present paper, we hypothesize that biological indices such as Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson's index, Margalef index, evenness, BMWP (biological monitoring working party), and ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) respond differently to rare taxa exclusion. To test this hypothesis, a benthic macroinvertebrate data set based on recent fifteen-year studies in China was built for suppositional plot analyses. A field research was conducted in the Nansi Lake to perform related analyses. The results of suppositional plot simulations showed that Simpson's index placed more weight on common taxa than any other studied indices, followed by Shannon-Wiener index which remained a high value with the exclusion of rare taxa. The results indicated that there was not much of effect on Simpson's index and Shannon-Wiener index when rare taxa were excluded. Rare taxa played an important role in Margalef index and BMWP than in other indices. Evenness showed an increase trend, while ASPT varied inconsistently with the exclusion of rare taxa. Results of the field study also indicated that rare taxa had few impacts on the Shannon-Wiener index. By examining the relationships between the rare taxa and biological indices in our study, it is suggested that including the rare taxa when using BMWP and excluding them in the proposed way (e.g., fixed-count subsampling) to calculate Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson's index could raise the efficiency and reduce the biases in the bioassessment of freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengda Yu
- Institute of Environmental ResearchShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Hui Wang
- Institute of Environmental ResearchShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Jiao Meng
- Institute of Environmental ResearchShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Mingsheng Miao
- College of Life ScienceShandong Normal UniversityJinanChina
| | - Qiang Kong
- College of Geography and EnvironmentShandong Normal UniversityJinanChina
| | - Renqing Wang
- Institute of Environmental ResearchShandong UniversityJinanChina
- School of Life SciencesShandong UniversityJinanChina
| | - Jian Liu
- Institute of Environmental ResearchShandong UniversityJinanChina
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Ferreira WR, Hepp LU, Ligeiro R, Macedo DR, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Callisto M. Partitioning taxonomic diversity of aquatic insect assemblages and functional feeding groups in neotropical savanna headwater streams. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2017; 72:365-373. [PMID: 38264148 PMCID: PMC10805237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Biological diversity can be divided into: alpha (α, local), beta (β, difference in assemblage composition among locals), and gamma (γ, total diversity). We assessed the partitioning of taxonomic diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) and of functional feeding groups (FFG) in neotropical savanna (southeastern Brazilian cerrado) streams. To do so, we considered three diversity components: stream site (α), among stream sites (β1), and among hydrologic units (β2). We also evaluated the association of EPT genera composition with heterogeneity in land use, instream physical habitat structure, and instream water quality variables. The percentage of EPT taxonomic α diversity (20.7%) was smaller than the β1 and β2 diversity percentages (53.1% and 26.2%, respectively). The percentage of EPT FFG collector-gatherer α diversity (26.5%) was smaller than that of β1 diversity (55.8%) and higher than the β2 (17.7%) diversity. The collector-gatherer FFG was predominant and had the greatest β diversity percentage among stream sites (β1, 55.8%). Our findings support the need for implementing regional scale conservation strategies in the cerrado biome, which has been degraded by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- W R Ferreira
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - L U Hepp
- Universidade Regional Integrada do Alto Uruguai e das Missões (URI), Av. Sete de Setembro, 1621, CEP 99709-910, Erechim, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
| | - R Ligeiro
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, CEP 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brasil
| | - D R Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geografia, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - R M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 97331-4501, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - P R Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, National Health & Environmental Effects Lab., Western Ecology Division, 200 SW 35th Street, 97333 Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - M Callisto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil
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Pellegrini T, Sales LP, Aguiar P, Lopes Ferreira R. Linking spatial scale dependence of land-use descriptors and invertebrate cave community composition. SUBTERRANEAN BIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.18.8335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Silva DRO, Ligeiro R, Hughes RM, Callisto M. The role of physical habitat and sampling effort on estimates of benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness at basin and site scales. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:340. [PMID: 27165604 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5326-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Taxonomic richness is one of the most important measures of biological diversity in ecological studies, including those with stream macroinvertebrates. However, it is impractical to measure the true richness of any site directly by sampling. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of sampling effort on estimates of macroinvertebrate family and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) genera richness at two scales: basin and stream site. In addition, we tried to determine which environmental factors at the site scale most influenced the amount of sampling effort needed. We sampled 39 sites in the Cerrado biome (neotropical savanna). In each site, we obtained 11 equidistant samples of the benthic assemblage and multiple physical habitat measurements. The observed basin-scale richness achieved a consistent estimation from Chao 1, Jack 1, and Jack 2 richness estimators. However, at the site scale, there was a constant increase in the observed number of taxa with increased number of samples. Models that best explained the slope of site-scale sampling curves (representing the necessity of greater sampling effort) included metrics that describe habitat heterogeneity, habitat structure, anthropogenic disturbance, and water quality, for both macroinvertebrate family and EPT genera richness. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering basin- and site-scale sampling effort in ecological surveys and that taxa accumulation curves and richness estimators are good tools for assessing sampling efficiency. The physical habitat explained a significant amount of the sampling effort needed. Therefore, future studies should explore the possible implications of physical habitat characteristics when developing sampling objectives, study designs, and calculating the needed sampling effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Déborah R O Silva
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Raphael Ligeiro
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Rua Augusto Corrêa, 01, CEP 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Robert M Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Nash Hall, 97331-4501, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Junqueira NT, Macedo DR, Souza RCRD, Hughes RM, Callisto M, Pompeu PS. Influence of environmental variables on stream fish fauna at multiple spatial scales. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20150116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Effects of environmental variables at different spatial scales on freshwater fish assemblages are relatively unexplored in Neotropical ecosystems. However, those influences are important for developing management strategies to conserve fish diversity and water resources. We evaluated the influences of site- (in-stream) and catchment-scale (land use and cover) environmental variables on the abundance and occurrence of fish species in streams of the Upper Araguari River basin through use of variance partitioning with partial CCA. We sampled 38 1st to 3rd order stream sites in September 2009. We quantified site variables to calculate 11 physical habitat metrics and mapped catchment land use/cover. Site and catchment variables explained > 50% of the total variation in fish species. Site variables (fish abundance: 25.31%; occurrence: 24.51%) explained slightly more variation in fish species than catchment land use/cover (abundance: 22.69%; occurrence: 18.90%), indicating that factors at both scales are important. Because anthropogenic pressures at site and catchment scales both affect stream fish in the Upper Araguari River basin, both must be considered jointly to apply conservation strategies in an efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diego Rodrigues Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Maas-Hebner KG, Harte MJ, Molina N, Hughes RM, Schreck C, Yeakley JA. Combining and aggregating environmental data for status and trend assessments: challenges and approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:278. [PMID: 25893765 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-015-4504-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, natural resource management agencies and nongovernmental organizations are sharing monitoring data across geographic and jurisdictional boundaries. Doing so improves their abilities to assess local-, regional-, and landscape-level environmental conditions, particularly status and trends, and to improve their ability to make short- and long-term management decisions. Status monitoring assesses the current condition of a population or environmental condition across an area. Monitoring for trends aims at monitoring changes in populations or environmental condition through time. We wrote this paper to inform agency and nongovernmental organization managers, analysts, and consultants regarding the kinds of environmental data that can be combined with suitable techniques and statistically aggregated for new assessments. By doing so, they can increase the (1) use of available data and (2) the validity and reliability of the assessments. Increased awareness of the difficulties inherent in combining and aggregating data for local- and regional-level analyses can increase the likelihood that future monitoring efforts will be modified and/or planned to accommodate data from multiple sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen G Maas-Hebner
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA,
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Buss DF, Carlisle DM, Chon TS, Culp J, Harding JS, Keizer-Vlek HE, Robinson WA, Strachan S, Thirion C, Hughes RM. Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:4132. [PMID: 25487459 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Water quality agencies and scientists are increasingly adopting standardized sampling methodologies because of the challenges associated with interpreting data derived from dissimilar protocols. Here, we compare 13 protocols for monitoring streams from different regions and countries around the globe. Despite the spatially diverse range of countries assessed, many aspects of bioassessment structure and protocols were similar, thereby providing evidence of key characteristics that might be incorporated in a global sampling methodology. Similarities were found regarding sampler type, mesh size, sampling period, subsampling methods, and taxonomic resolution. Consistent field and laboratory methods are essential for merging data sets collected by multiple institutions to enable large-scale comparisons. We discuss the similarities and differences among protocols and present current trends and future recommendations for monitoring programs, especially for regions where large-scale protocols do not yet exist. We summarize the current state in one of these regions, Latin America, and comment on the possible development path for these techniques in this region. We conclude that several aspects of stream biomonitoring need additional performance evaluation (accuracy, precision, discriminatory power, relative costs), particularly when comparing targeted habitat (only the commonest habitat type) versus site-wide sampling (multiple habitat types), appropriate levels of sampling and processing effort, and standardized indicators to resolve dissimilarities among biomonitoring methods. Global issues such as climate change are creating an environment where there is an increasing need to have universally consistent data collection, processing and storage to enable large-scale trend analysis. Biomonitoring programs following standardized methods could aid international data sharing and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Buss
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil,
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Silva DRO, Ligeiro R, Hughes RM, Callisto M. Visually determined stream mesohabitats influence benthic macroinvertebrate assessments in headwater streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:5479-5488. [PMID: 24816540 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3797-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Mesohabitat components such as substrate and surface flow types are intimately related to benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in streams. Visual assessments of the distribution of these components provide a means of evaluating physical habitat heterogeneity and aid biodiversity surveys and monitoring. We determined the degree to which stream site and visually assessed mesohabitat variables explain variability (i.e., beta-diversity) in the relative abundance and presence-absence of all macroinvertebrate families and of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) genera. We systematically sampled a wide variety of mesohabitat arrangements as they occured in stream sites. We also estimated how much of the explanation given by mesohabitat was associated with substrate or surface flow types. We performed variation partitioning to determine fractions of explained variance through use of partial redundancy analysis (pRDA). Mesohabitats and stream sites explained together from 23 to 32% of the variation in the four analyses. Stream site explained 8-11% of that variation, and mesohabitat variables explained 13-20%. Surface flow types accounted for >60% of the variation provided by the mesohabitat component. These patterns are in accordance with those obtained in previous studies that showed the predominance of environmental variables over spatial location in explaining macroinvertebrate distribution. We conclude that visually assessed mesohabitat components are important predictors of assemblage composition, explaining significant amounts of beta-diversity. Therefore, they are critical to consider in ecological and biodiversity assessments involving macroinvertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Déborah R O Silva
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CP 486, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
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Bennett JR, Sisson DR, Smol JP, Cumming BF, Possingham HP, Buckley YM. Optimizing taxonomic resolution and sampling effort to design cost-effective ecological models for environmental assessment. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R. Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Danielle R. Sisson
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - John P. Smol
- Department of Biology; Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Lab (PEARL); Queen's University; Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Canada
| | - Brian F. Cumming
- Department of Biology; Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Lab (PEARL); Queen's University; Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Canada
| | - Hugh P. Possingham
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
- School of Life Sciences; Silwood Park Imperial College London; Ascot Berkshire SL5 7PY UK
| | - Yvonne M. Buckley
- School of Biological Sciences; University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
- Zoology Department; School of Natural Sciences; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin 2 Ireland
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Fischer JR, Quist MC. Characterizing lentic freshwater fish assemblages using multiple sampling methods. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:4461-4474. [PMID: 24638937 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3711-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing fish assemblages in lentic ecosystems is difficult, and multiple sampling methods are almost always necessary to gain reliable estimates of indices such as species richness. However, most research focused on lentic fish sampling methodology has targeted recreationally important species, and little to no information is available regarding the influence of multiple methods and timing (i.e., temporal variation) on characterizing entire fish assemblages. Therefore, six lakes and impoundments (48-1,557 ha surface area) were sampled seasonally with seven gear types to evaluate the combined influence of sampling methods and timing on the number of species and individuals sampled. Probabilities of detection for species indicated strong selectivities and seasonal trends that provide guidance on optimal seasons to use gears when targeting multiple species. The evaluation of species richness and number of individuals sampled using multiple gear combinations demonstrated that appreciable benefits over relatively few gears (e.g., to four) used in optimal seasons were not present. Specifically, over 90 % of the species encountered with all gear types and season combinations (N = 19) from six lakes and reservoirs were sampled with nighttime boat electrofishing in the fall and benthic trawling, modified-fyke, and mini-fyke netting during the summer. Our results indicated that the characterization of lentic fish assemblages was highly influenced by the selection of sampling gears and seasons, but did not appear to be influenced by waterbody type (i.e., natural lake, impoundment). The standardization of data collected with multiple methods and seasons to account for bias is imperative to monitoring of lentic ecosystems and will provide researchers with increased reliability in their interpretations and decisions made using information on lentic fish assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse R Fischer
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, 339 Science II, Ames, IA, 50010, USA,
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Li L, Liu L, Hughes RM, Cao Y, Wang X. Towards a protocol for stream macroinvertebrate sampling in China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:469-479. [PMID: 23996646 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3391-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Standard protocols are critical for maximizing data comparability and aggregation in national monitoring programs, and taxa richness is a common indicator of site condition and biological diversity. There are two general approaches for sampling stream macroinvertebrate assemblages: targeted richest habitat and site wide. At seven sites, we compared three methods: Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network (OBBN), Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), and Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP). The OBBN method produced a biased sample at a site with a single small riffle, the RBP method produced the most total taxa, and the EMAP method produced the most taxa at four sites and the most individuals at six sites. The RBP method produced asymptotes for percent tolerant individuals, percent chironomid individuals, and Hilsenhoff Biotic Index score after five to ten stations. The EMAP method produced asymptotes for those metrics after 10 to 20 stations per site. The EMAP method typically required half the number of stations as the RBP method to obtain 70-90% of true taxa richness as estimated by the Jaccard coefficient. We conclude that the EMAP method is preferable because of its greater precision in taxa richness estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 8th Dayangfang, Beiyuan Road, Beijing, China,
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47
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Dobbie MJ, Negus P. Addressing statistical and operational challenges in designing large-scale stream condition surveys. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:7231-43. [PMID: 23344628 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Implementing a statistically valid and practical monitoring design for large-scale stream condition monitoring and assessment programs can be difficult due to factors including the likely existence of a diversity of ecosystem types such as ephemeral streams over the sampling domain; limited resources to undertake detailed monitoring surveys and address knowledge gaps; and operational constraints on effective sampling at monitoring sites. In statistical speak, these issues translate to defining appropriate target populations and sampling units; designing appropriate spatial and temporal sample site selection methods; selection and use of appropriate indicators; and setting effect sizes with limited ecological and statistical information about the indicators of interest. We identify the statistical and operational challenges in designing large-scale stream condition surveys and discuss general approaches for addressing them. The ultimate aim in drawing attention to these challenges is to ensure operational practicality in carrying out future monitoring programs and that the resulting inferences about stream condition are statistically valid and relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Dobbie
- CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Ligeiro R, Ferreira W, Hughes RM, Callisto M. The problem of using fixed-area subsampling methods to estimate macroinvertebrate richness: a case study with Neotropical stream data. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:4077-4085. [PMID: 22930188 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2850-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Subsampling has been widely applied in the laboratory to process freshwater macroinvertebrate samples. Currently, many governmental agencies and research groups apply the fixed-count approach, targeting a number of individuals per sample, and at the same time keeping track of the number of quadrats (fraction of the sample) processed. However, fixed-area methods are still in use. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the reliability of macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness estimates developed from processing a standard number of subsampling quadrats (i.e., fixed-area approaches). We used a dataset from 18 tropical stream sites experiencing three different levels of human disturbance (most-, intermediate-, and least-disturbed). With 12 quadrats processed (half the sample), the collection curves started to stabilize, and for more than half of the sites studied, it was possible to sample at least 80 % of the total taxonomic richness of the sample. However, we observed that the minimum number of quadrats to achieve 80 % of taxonomic richness was strongly negatively correlated with the number of individuals collected in each site: the fewer the individuals in a sample, the greater the processed proportion of that sample needed to represent it properly. Thus our results indicate that for any given areal subsampling effort (any fixed fraction of the sample), samples with different numbers of individuals will be represented differently in terms of the proportion of the total number of taxa of the whole samples, those with greater numbers being overestimated and those with fewer numbers being underestimated. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of fixed-area subsampling methods alone if the main purpose is to measure and analyze taxonomic richness; instead, we encourage researchers to use fixed-count approaches for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Ligeiro
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Gardner TA, Ferreira J, Barlow J, Lees AC, Parry L, Vieira ICG, Berenguer E, Abramovay R, Aleixo A, Andretti C, Aragão LEOC, Araújo I, de Ávila WS, Bardgett RD, Batistella M, Begotti RA, Beldini T, de Blas DE, Braga RF, Braga DDL, de Brito JG, de Camargo PB, Campos dos Santos F, de Oliveira VC, Cordeiro ACN, Cardoso TM, de Carvalho DR, Castelani SA, Chaul JCM, Cerri CE, Costa FDA, da Costa CDF, Coudel E, Coutinho AC, Cunha D, D'Antona Á, Dezincourt J, Dias-Silva K, Durigan M, Esquerdo JCDM, Feres J, Ferraz SFDB, Ferreira AEDM, Fiorini AC, da Silva LVF, Frazão FS, Garrett R, Gomes ADS, Gonçalves KDS, Guerrero JB, Hamada N, Hughes RM, Igliori DC, Jesus EDC, Juen L, Junior M, de Oliveira Junior JMB, de Oliveira Junior RC, Souza Junior C, Kaufmann P, Korasaki V, Leal CG, Leitão R, Lima N, Almeida MDFL, Lourival R, Louzada J, Mac Nally R, Marchand S, Maués MM, Moreira FMS, Morsello C, Moura N, Nessimian J, Nunes S, Oliveira VHF, Pardini R, Pereira HC, Pompeu PS, Ribas CR, Rossetti F, Schmidt FA, da Silva R, da Silva RCVM, da Silva TFMR, Silveira J, Siqueira JV, de Carvalho TS, Solar RRC, Tancredi NSH, Thomson JR, Torres PC, Vaz-de-Mello FZ, Veiga RCS, Venturieri A, Viana C, Weinhold D, Zanetti R, Zuanon J. A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2013; 368:20120166. [PMID: 23610172 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazônia Sustentável, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby A Gardner
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
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Hughes RM, Herlihy AT, Gerth WJ, Pan Y. Estimating vertebrate, benthic macroinvertebrate, and diatom taxa richness in raftable Pacific Northwest rivers for bioassessment purposes. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:3185-3198. [PMID: 21713475 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2181-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The number of sites sampled must be considered when determining the effort necessary for adequately assessing taxa richness in an ecosystem for bioassessment purposes; however, there have been few studies concerning the number of sites necessary for bioassessment of large rivers. We evaluated the effect of sample size (i.e., number of sites) necessary to collect vertebrate (fish and aquatic amphibians), macroinvertebrate, and diatom taxa from seven large rivers in Oregon and Washington, USA during the summers of 2006-2008. We used Monte Carlo simulation to determine the number of sites needed to collect 90-95% of the taxa 75-95% of the time from 20 randomly located sites on each river. The river wetted widths varied from 27.8 to 126.0 m, mean substrate size varied from 1 to 10 cm, and mainstem distances sampled varied from 87 to 254 km. We sampled vertebrates at each site (i.e., 50 times the mean wetted channel width) by nearshore-raft electrofishing. We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates nearshore through the use of a 500-μm mesh kick net at 11 systematic stations. From each site composite sample, we identified a target of 500 macroinvertebrate individuals to the lowest possible taxon, usually genus. We sampled benthic diatoms nearshore at the same 11 stations from a 12-cm(2) area. At each station, we sucked diatoms from soft substrate into a 60-ml syringe or brushed them off a rock and rinsed them with river water into the same jar. We counted a minimum of 600 valves at 1,000× magnification for each site. We collected 120-211 diatom taxa, 98-128 macroinvertebrate taxa, and 14-33 vertebrate species per river. To collect 90-95% of the taxa 75-95% of the time that were collected at 20 sites, it was necessary to sample 11-16 randomly distributed sites for vertebrates, 13-17 sites for macroinvertebrates, and 16-18 sites for diatoms. We conclude that 12-16 randomly distributed sites are needed for cost-efficient sampling of vertebrate richness in the main stems of our study rivers, but 20 sites markedly underestimates the species richness of benthic macroinvertebrates and diatoms in those rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hughes
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA.
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