Climatic effects on the synchrony and stability of temperate headwater invertebrates over four decades

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Nov. 7, 2023

Abstract Important clues about the ecological effects of climate change can arise from understanding influence other Earth‐system processes on ecosystem dynamics but few studies span inter‐decadal timescales required. We, therefore, examined how variation in annual weather patterns associated with North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over four decades was linked to synchrony and stability a metacommunity stream invertebrates across multiple, contrasting headwaters central Wales (UK). Prolonged warmer wetter conditions during positive NAO winters appeared synchronize variations population community composition among within streams thereby reducing levels organization. This climatically mediated synchronization occurred all irrespective acid–base status land use, weaker where invertebrate communities were more functionally diverse. Wavelet linear models indicated that explained up 50% overall species abundances at timescale 4–6 years. The affect through local temperature, precipitation discharge, increasing hydrochemical variability sites might have contributed. Our findings illustrate large‐scale climatic fluctuations generated persistence inland freshwater ecosystems ways transcend catchment character. Protecting restoring functional diversity increase their against warmer, are analogues ongoing change. Catchment management could also dampen impacts provide options for adaptation.

Language: Английский

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Potential for synergistic conservation through area‐based strategies

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Abstract The ongoing biodiversity crisis has raised concerns about the effectiveness of area‐based conservation (ABC) strategies for achieving positive outcomes. In riverine ecosystems, linear habitat structure fishes introduces uncertainty into synergistic potential ABC. Therefore, to assess ABC multiple groups, we used data from IUCN and RivFishTIME database up 2020 fishes, mammals, birds reliability area sampling based on species–area relationships latitudinal dependence analyses. We built a spatial model species richness determine distribution overlap within among 3 groups under different group combinations. found significant power function relationship between richness; R 2 values ranged 0.94 0.96. Species was unevenly distributed across groups; thus, is not promising. Fish were outliers. fish–bird combinations ( β = −0.001 0.02) fish–mammal 0.10–0.11) significantly lower than those mammal–bird 0.20−0.27). This calls targeted planning in terrestrial ecosystems rather considering that protected areas mammals will also protect fishes. Furthermore, multitarget cannot be safely extended all groups.

Language: Английский

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Widespread and strong impacts of river fragmentation by human barriers on fishes in the Mekong River Basin

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 5, 2025

The Mekong River, a global freshwater biodiversity hotspot, has suffered from intensive barrier construction, resulting in major challenges safeguarding its fauna. Here, we provide comprehensive evaluation of the impacts river barriers on distribution 1,032 fish species Basin. Our analysis revealed that 93% suffer habitat fragmentation, and with larger range requirements experienced higher fragmentation impacts. Sub-basins along main channel Lower had high values richness but relatively Across all migration types, potamodromous worst status (Fragmentation Index, 42.56 [95% CI, 36.95–46.05]), followed by catadromous fish. Among IUCN conservation categories, Critically Endangered highest index (33.34 [12.53–46.40]). small dams sluice gates contribute more to than large dams.

Language: Английский

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Taxonomic and phylogenetic β‐diversity of freshwater fish assemblages in relationship to geographical and climatic determinants in North America

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(10), P. 1965 - 1977

Published: July 17, 2021

Abstract Aim A full understanding of the origin and maintenance β‐diversity patterns in a region requires of: (1) relationships both taxonomic phylogenetic (TBD PBD, respectively) their respective turnover nestedness components with geographical environmental distances; (2) relative importance β‐diversity; (3) between PBD measures representing different evolutionary depths. Here, we investigate all these aspects simultaneously for freshwater fishes North America. Location America north Mexico (hereafter, America). Taxon Freshwater fishes. Methods was divided into 360 watersheds. Using two sampling approaches (neighbourhood vs. pairwise), quantified fish assemblages using various metrics (representing total, TBD tip‐ basal‐weighted PBD) related them to climatic factors correlation regression analyses. Results Geographical total among neighbouring watersheds were highly congruent across generally opposite those tip‐weighted PBD. Metrics weakly associated contemporary variables. strongly moderately distances distances. The stronger than cases. Main conclusions ecological are but greatly different, suggesting that histories have played an important role shaping β‐diversity. Our study suggests distance is more climate similarity determining assemblages.

Language: Английский

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Tail‐dependent spatial synchrony arises from nonlinear driver–response relationships

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 1189 - 1201

Published: March 4, 2022

Abstract Spatial synchrony may be tail‐dependent, that is, stronger when populations are abundant than scarce, or vice‐versa. Here, ‘tail‐dependent’ follows from distributions having a lower tail consisting of relatively low values and an upper high values. We present general theory how the distribution correlation structure environmental driver translates into tail‐dependent spatial through non‐linear response, examine empirical evidence for theoretical predictions in giant kelp along California coastline. In sheltered areas, declines synchronously (lower‐tail dependence) waves intense, because below certain height do little damage to kelp. Conversely, exposed is synchronised primarily by periods calmness cause shared recovery (upper‐tail dependence). find geographies dependence synchrony, which helps regional population resilience: areas where asynchronous more resilient disturbance remnant facilitate reestablishment.

Language: Английский

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Navigating through space and time: A methodological approach to quantify spatiotemporal connectivity using stream flow data as a case study

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 1780 - 1795

Published: May 16, 2023

Abstract The growing interest in combining spatial and temporal patterns nature has been fostered by the current availability of high‐frequency measurements. However, we still lack a methodological framework to process interpret spatiotemporal datasets into meaningful values, adaptable different time windows and/or responding structures. Here, developed tested evaluate connectivity using two new measures: ( STcon ) matrix STconmat ). To obtain these measures, consider set spatially connected sites within temporally dynamic network. These measures are calculated from where connections across captured. respond determined network structure, assign values generate scenarios which connectivity. We dataset stream flow state spanning 513‐day period obtained data loggers installed seven temporary streams. allowed us characterise among reaches relate with macroinvertebrate community structure composition. Spatiotemporal differed streams, capturing hydrological patterns. Macroinvertebrate richness diversity were higher more spatiotemporally sites. Community dissimilarity was related showing that had similar communities for active passive dispersers. Interestingly, both groups some analysed scenarios, highlighting relevance systems. As exemplified, proposed can help disentangle quantify dynamics or be applied conservation systems such as is not limited features It extended other ecosystems including structures assess Such especially relevant context global change, being heavily disrupted human activities.

Language: Английский

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How environmental drivers of spatial synchrony interact

Ecography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(10)

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

Spatial synchrony, the tendency for populations across space to show correlated fluctuations, is a fundamental feature of population dynamics, linked central topics ecology such as cycling, extinction risk, and ecosystem stability. A common mechanism spatial synchrony Moran effect, whereby spatially synchronized environmental signals drive dynamics hence induce synchrony. After reviewing recent progress in understanding effects, we here elaborate general theory how effects different drivers acting on same can interact, either synergistically or destructively, produce substantially more markedly less than would otherwise occur. We provide intuition this newly recognized works through theoretical case studies application our California giant kelp. argue that interactions should be common. Our analysis explain an important new aspect spatiotemporal dynamics.

Language: Английский

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A metasystem approach to designing environmental flows

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(9), P. 643 - 662

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Abstract Accelerating the design and implementation of environmental flows (e-flows) is essential to curb rapid, ongoing loss freshwater biodiversity benefits it provides people. However, effectiveness e-flow programs may be limited by a singular focus on ensuring adequate flow conditions at local sites, which overlooks role other ecological processes. Recent advances in metasystem ecology have shown that patterns ecosystem functions across river networks result from interplay (environmental filtering biotic interactions) regional (dispersal) No guidelines currently exist account for these processes designing e-flows. We address this gap providing step-by-step operational framework outlines how e-flows can designed conserve or restore dynamics. Our recommendations are relevant diverse regulatory contexts improve outcomes even basins with situ data.

Language: Английский

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The color of environmental noise in river networks

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 28, 2023

Abstract Despite its far-reaching implications for conservation and natural resource management, little is known about the color of environmental noise, or structure temporal autocorrelation in random variation, streams rivers. Here, we analyze geography, drivers, timescale-dependence noise streamflow across U.S. hydrography, using time series from 7504 gages. We find that daily annual flows are dominated by red white spectra respectively, spatial variation explained a combination geographic, hydroclimatic, anthropogenic variables. Noise at scale influenced stream network position, land use water management explain around one third irrespective timescale considered. Our results highlight peculiarities regimes riverine systems, reveal strong human fingerprint on stochastic patterns river networks.

Language: Английский

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Vital rates of a burgeoning population of Humpback Chub in western Grand Canyon

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 152(4), P. 443 - 459

Published: April 15, 2023

Abstract Objective The Colorado River ecosystem has experienced habitat alterations and nonnative species invasions; as a result, many of its native have had extirpations, abundance declines, range constrictions. Despite these pitfalls, the Humpback Chub Gila cypha persisted in last 10–15 years expanded to become abundant western Grand Canyon, river segment which it been rare for prior three decades. goal this study was evaluate population dynamics (i.e., growth, survival, movement, abundance) “new” group Chub. Methods We analyzed 6‐year mark–recapture from fixed monitoring reach we provide first estimates survival growth (vital rates) fish. compared vital rates Canyon those two life history forms (residents migrants, representing fast slow trajectories, respectively) more established Little (LCR) aggregation eastern Canyon. Result Compared LCR migrants residents, intermediate values apparent asymptotic length. Relatively high subadults coupled with allowed rapid However, large cohort 2017 failed lead noticeable increases adults. Seasonal patterns were distinct all groups, lowest during spring months. Adult mobile probability transience just passing through reach) temporary emigration, demonstrating need future movement studies better distinguish emigration survival. Conclusion There is considerable spatial variability viral discuss how observations are related disparate temperature regimes by groups whether (how) relationship between metabolism influences within network.

Language: Английский

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