Fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages reveal extensive degradation of the world's rivers

Global Change Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 29(2), С. 355 - 374

Опубликована: Сен. 22, 2022

Rivers suffer from multiple stressors acting simultaneously on their biota, but the consequences are poorly quantified at global scale. We evaluated biological condition of rivers globally, including largest proportion countries Global South published to date. gathered macroinvertebrate- and fish-based assessments 72,275 37,676 sites, respectively, 64 study regions across six continents 45 nations. Because were based differing methods, different systems consolidated into a 3-class system: Good, Impaired, or Severely following common guidelines. The sites in each class by area was calculated region assigned Köppen-Geiger climate type, Human Footprint score (addressing landscape alterations), Development Index (HDI) social welfare), % with good ambient water quality, protected freshwater key biodiversity areas; forest net change rate. found that 50% macroinvertebrate 42% fish Good condition, whereas 21% 29% respectively. poorest conditions occurred Arid Equatorial climates best Snow climates. Impaired associated (Pearson correlation coefficient) higher HDI scores, poorer physico-chemical lower proportions areas. quality increased forested It is essential implement statutory bioassessment programs Asian, African, American countries, continue them Oceania, Europe, North America. There need invest fish, as there less information globally strong indicators degradation. Our highlights increase extent number river catchments, preserve restore natural areas treat wastewater discharges, improve connectivity.

Язык: Английский

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The impacts of alien species on river bioassessment

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 374, С. 123874 - 123874

Опубликована: Янв. 8, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Assemblage-based biomonitoring of freshwater ecosystem health via multimetric indices: A critical review and suggestions for improving their applicability

Water Biology and Security, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 1(3), С. 100054 - 100054

Опубликована: Май 29, 2022

Freshwater biota are more comprehensive and direct indicators of biological impacts, meaningful to the public than water quality or physical habitat surrogates. biotic data multiple developed from them offer a much richer array for assessing impacts pollution controls limited set chemical measures. In recent decades, assemblage-based assessments by ecologists, environmental scientists, agencies have been employed globally determining condition of, threats to, freshwater ecosystems. A key step in this advance has development multimetric indices (MMIs) integrity (IBIs) based on quantitative algae, macrophyte, macroinvertebrate, fish riparian bird assemblages. Europe, where assemblages mandated ecosystem health, many multimetric. However, proliferation MMIs not always occurred through application rigorous study designs monitoring protocols, nor they effectively incorporated functional metrics, stressor assessments, statistical analyses. Therefore, review, we discuss eleven major concerns with (including logistical limitations) encourage widely applicable (transferable) MMI use implementation. Specifically, our focus reference conditions; sampling effort, methods, season; trophic guild definition; metric comprehensiveness, options, screening scoring; validation. could also benefit increased attention ecological mechanisms development, further improve understanding anthropogenic as well rehabilitation effects ecosystems globally. Paying closer designs, should better facilitate degraded ecosystems, aiding conservation healthy

Язык: Английский

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Urban river pollution in the densely populated city of Dhaka, Bangladesh: Big picture and rehabilitation experience from other developing countries

Journal of Cleaner Production, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 321, С. 129040 - 129040

Опубликована: Сен. 15, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Physical habitat in conterminous US streams and rivers, Part 1: Geoclimatic controls and anthropogenic alteration

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 141, С. 109046 - 109046

Опубликована: Июнь 18, 2022

Anthropogenic alteration of physical habitat structure in streams and rivers is increasingly recognized as a major cause impairment worldwide. As part their assessment the status trends condition U.S., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS) quantify monitor channel size slope, substrate stability, instream complexity cover, riparian vegetation cover structure, anthropogenic disturbance activities, channel-riparian interaction. Like biological assemblages water chemistry, strongly controlled by natural geoclimatic factors that can obscure or amplify influence human activities. We developed systematic approach to estimate deviation observed river stream from expected least-disturbed reference conditions. applied this calculate indices three aspects conterminous (CONUS): streambed sediment complexity. The precision responsiveness these led USEPA use them evaluate CONUS streams. scores systematically decreased with greater at sites within ecoregions, which we interpret response influences. Although activities negatively influenced all most geomorphic were dominant For over full range disturbance, analyses observed/expected characteristics showed augmented flood flows basin agriculture be leading predictors instability excess fine sediments. Similarly, non-agricultural land uses reduced ecoregions. In turn, reductions complexity, combined summer low flows, simplification. conclude quantitative measures are useful important indicators impacts on condition.

Язык: Английский

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Towards harmonized standards for freshwater biodiversity monitoring and biological assessment using benthic macroinvertebrates

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 918, С. 170360 - 170360

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2024

Monitoring programs at sub-national and national scales lack coordination, harmonization, systematic review analysis continental global scales, thus fail to adequately assess evaluate drivers of biodiversity ecosystem degradation loss large spatial scales. Here we the state art, gaps challenges in freshwater assessment for both biological condition (bioassessment) monitoring ecosystems using benthic macroinvertebrate community. To existence nationally- regionally- (sub-nationally-) accepted protocols that are put practice/used each country, conducted a survey from November 2022 May 2023. Responses 110 respondents based 67 countries were received. Although responses varied their consistency, clearly demonstrated being done levels lakes, rivers artificial waterbodies. Programs bioassessment more widespread, some cases even harmonized among several countries. We identified 20 challenges, which classed into five major categories, these (a) field sampling, (b) sample processing identification, (c) metrics indices, (d) assessment, (e) other challenges. Above all, identify harmonization as one most important gaps, hindering efficient collaboration communication. IUCN SSC Global Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Sampling Protocols Task Force (GLOSAM) means address globally-harmonized protocols.

Язык: Английский

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Ecological integrity is both real and valuable

Conservation Science and Practice, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 4(2)

Опубликована: Ноя. 19, 2021

Abstract Ecological integrity has been criticized as a “bad fit value” for conservation biology and restoration ecology. But work over the past four decades centered on ecological integrity—especially biological integrity—has given rise to effective methods monitoring assessment better understand disintegration of living systems, including under scenarios rapid climate change. Revealing when where systems have altered by human activity, such adapted applied most comprehensively in streams rivers, but also other ecosystems, ranging from tropical forests marine coral reefs all continents except Antarctica. Equally important, maintenance is already fundamental goal law offers an inspiring framework communication engagement—among scientists, resource managers, law‐ policymakers, public. This essay builds case that proved both real valuable paradigm.

Язык: Английский

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Agricultural Effects on Streams and Rivers: A Western USA Focus

Water, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 13(14), С. 1901 - 1901

Опубликована: Июль 9, 2021

Globally, croplands and rangelands are major land uses they have altered lands waters for millennia. This continues to be the case throughout USA, despite substantial improvements in treating wastewaters from point sources—versus non-point (diffuse) sources. Poor macroinvertebrate assemblage condition occurs 30% of conterminous USA streams rivers; poor fish 26%. The risk was most strongly associated with excess nutrients, salinity sedimentation impaired riparian woody vegetation. Although Clean Water Act passed restore maintain integrity waters, that will impossible without controlling agricultural pollution. Likewise, Federal Land Policy Management enacted protect natural public including habitat, but it has failed curtail sacred cows livestock grazing. progress been slow spotty, promising results obtained basin watershed planning zone protections.

Язык: Английский

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Aquatic Ecological Risk of Heavy-Metal Pollution Associated with Degraded Mining Landscapes of the Southern Africa River Basins: A Review

Minerals, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 12(2), С. 225 - 225

Опубликована: Фев. 10, 2022

Africa accounts for nearly 30% of the discovered world’s mineral reserves, with half platinum group metals deposits, 36% gold, and 20% cobalt being in Southern (SA). The intensification heavy-metal production SA region has exacerbated negative human environmental health impacts. In recent years, mining waste generated from industrial artisanal significantly affected ecological integrity aquatic ecosystems due to accelerated introduction deposition heavy metals. However, extent which pollution associated impacted not been adequately documented, particularly during bioassessments. This review explores current impacts on heavily mined river basins SA. It also discusses approaches assessing risks, inherent challenges, potential developing an integrated risk assessment protocol systems region. Progress made rapid bioassessment schemes (RBS) ecosystems. Nevertheless, method integration, involves monitoring molecular technology, is necessary overcome challenges standardisation RBS protocols. Citizenry science will encourage community stakeholder involvement sustainable management

Язык: Английский

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Physical habitat in conterminous US streams and Rivers, part 2: A quantitative assessment of habitat condition

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 141, С. 109047 - 109047

Опубликована: Июнь 30, 2022

Rigorous assessments of the ecological condition water resources and effect human activities on those waters require quantitative physical, chemical, biological data. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's river stream surveys quantify bed particle size stability, instream habitat complexity cover, riparian vegetation cover structure, anthropogenic disturbance activities. Physical is strongly controlled by natural geoclimatic factors that co-vary with We expressed alteration physical as O/E ratios observed metric values divided expected under least-disturbed reference conditions, where site-specific vary given their geomorphic context. set criteria for good, fair, poor based distribution in regional sites. Poor conditions existed 22–24% 1.2 million km streams rivers conterminous disturbance, streambed sediment versus 14% complexity. Based same four indicators, percentage length within 9 separate ecoregions ranged from 4% to 42%. Associations our indices pressures demonstrate scope alteration; was negatively related level nationally nearly all ecoregions. Relative risk estimates showed sediment, complexity, or were 1.4 2.6 times likely also have fish macroinvertebrate assemblages condition. Our indicators help explain deviations among sites inform management actions rehabilitating impaired mitigating further degradation.

Язык: Английский

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