From perennial to temporary streams: an extreme drought as a driving force of freshwater communities' traits
Carmen L. Elias A B C , Ana Raquel Calapez B , Salomé F. P. Almeida A and Maria João Feio B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Biology and GeoBioTec – GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, PT-3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
B IMAR-CMA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Largo Marquês de Pombal, PT-3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
C Corresponding author. Email: carmen.elias@ua.pt
Marine and Freshwater Research 66(5) 469-480 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF13312
Submitted: 26 November 2013 Accepted: 17 July 2014 Published: 9 December 2014
Abstract
Alterations in trait proportions of diatom and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities were used to evaluate the consequences of the drying of temperate perennial streams due to an uncommon drought event. Four Atlantic-temperate Portuguese streams were sampled on three occasions; spring before the drought, 2 weeks after the return of water to the streambed, and spring after the drought. The traits from diatom and macroinvertebrate communities from temperate streams were also compared with those from Mediterranean systems to assess possible shifts in traits. The effects from stream drying were long-lasting for macroinvertebrates; however, only the diatom trait proportions shifted towards proportions similar to those occurring in Mediterranean streams. There was a significant reduction of macroinvertebrates with the ability to produce cocoons, to disperse actively by flight and passively disperse in the water and of swimmers following the return of water. A decrease in stalked species immediately after drought was evident in diatom communities. In contrast to temperate communities, Mediterranean ones were characterised by larger and less mobile diatoms, and smaller-bodied macroinvertebrates with shorter life cycles. Additional studies are required to determine the long-term effect of uncharacteristic drought events on biological traits and their ecosystem functions in typically perennial streams.
Additional keywords: climatic changes, diatoms, extreme events, macroinvertebrates, Mediterranean, streams, temperate, traits.
References
Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (2007). Atlas do Ambiente digital. Available at http://sniamb.apambiente.pt/webatlas/ [Verified 8 May 2012].Arnell, N. W. (1999). The effect of climate change on hydrological regimes in Europe: a continental perspective. Global Environmental Change 9, 5–23.
| The effect of climate change on hydrological regimes in Europe: a continental perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bêche, L. A., McElravy, E. P., and Resh, V. H. (2006). Long-term seasonal variation in the biological traits of benthic-macroinvertebrates in two Mediterranean-climate streams in California, USA. Freshwater Biology 51, 56–75.
| Long-term seasonal variation in the biological traits of benthic-macroinvertebrates in two Mediterranean-climate streams in California, USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Belo-Pereira, M., Dutra, E., and Viterbo, P. (2011). Evaluation of global precipitation data sets over the Iberian Peninsula. Journal of Geophysical Research – D. Atmospheres 116, D20101.
| Evaluation of global precipitation data sets over the Iberian Peninsula.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beniston, M., Stephenson, D. B., Christensen, O. B., Ferro, C. A. T., Frei, C., Goyette, S., Halsnaes, K., Holt, T., Jylha, K., Koffi, B., Palutikof, J., Scholl, R., Semmler, T., and Woth, K. (2007). Future extreme events in European climate: an exploration of regional climate model projections. Climatic Change 81, 71–95.
| Future extreme events in European climate: an exploration of regional climate model projections.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berthon, V., Bouchez, A., and Rimet, F. (2011). Using diatom life-forms and ecological guilds to assess organic pollution and trophic level in rivers: a case study of rivers in south-eastern France. Hydrobiologia 673, 259–271.
| Using diatom life-forms and ecological guilds to assess organic pollution and trophic level in rivers: a case study of rivers in south-eastern France.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpt1Oqsbg%3D&md5=ff97933b4660cf5a70b55e9ac460d12cCAS |
Boix, D., García-Berthou, E., Gascón, S., Benejam, L., Tornés, E., Sala, J., Benito, J., Munné, A., Solà, C., and Sabater, S. (2010). Response of community structure to sustained drought in Mediterranean rivers. Journal of Hydrology 383, 135–146.
| Response of community structure to sustained drought in Mediterranean rivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bonada, N., Dolédec, S., and Statzner, B. (2007a). Taxonomic and biological trait differences of stream macroinvertebrate communities between Mediterranean and temperate regions: implications for future climatic scenarios. Global Change Biology 13, 1658–1671.
| Taxonomic and biological trait differences of stream macroinvertebrate communities between Mediterranean and temperate regions: implications for future climatic scenarios.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bonada, N., Rieradevall, M., and Prat, N. (2007b). Macroinvertebrate community structure and biological traits related to flow permanence in a Mediterranean river network. Hydrobiologia 589, 91–106.
| Macroinvertebrate community structure and biological traits related to flow permanence in a Mediterranean river network.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bond, N. R., Lake, P., and Arthington, A. H. (2008). The impacts of drought on freshwater ecosystems: an Australian perspective. Hydrobiologia 600, 3–16.
| The impacts of drought on freshwater ecosystems: an Australian perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chessman, B. C. (2012). Biological traits predict shifts in geographical ranges of freshwater invertebrates during climatic warming and drying. Journal of Biogeography 39, 957–969.
| Biological traits predict shifts in geographical ranges of freshwater invertebrates during climatic warming and drying.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chevenet, F., Dolédec, S., and Chessel, D. (1994). A fuzzy coding approach for the analysis of long‐term ecological data. Freshwater Biology 31, 295–309.
| A fuzzy coding approach for the analysis of long‐term ecological data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chiew, F. H. S. (2006). Estimation of rainfall elasticity of streamflow in Australia. Hydrological Sciences Journal 51, 613–625.
| Estimation of rainfall elasticity of streamflow in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Death, R. G. (2008). The effect of floods on aquatic invertebrate communities. In ‘Aquatic Insects: Challenges to Populations’. (Eds J. Lancaster and R. A. Briers.) pp. 103–121. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK.)
Delgado, C., Pardo, I., and García, L. (2012). Diatom communities as indicators of ecological status in Mediterranean temporary streams (Balearic Islands, Spain). Ecological Indicators 15, 131–139.
| Diatom communities as indicators of ecological status in Mediterranean temporary streams (Balearic Islands, Spain).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dolédec, S., and Statzner, B. (2008). Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an assessment of specific types of human impact. Freshwater Biology 53, 617–634.
| Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an assessment of specific types of human impact.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
European Committee for Standardization (2003). European Standard. EN 13946. Water quality – Guidance standard for the routine sampling and pre-treatment of benthic diatoms from rivers. CEN, Brussels.
European Committee for Standardization (2004). European Standard. EN 14407. Water Quality – Guidance standard for the identification, enumeration and interpretation of benthic diatom samples from running waters. CEN, Brussels.
European Committee for Standardization (2006). European Standard. EN 14996. Water Quality – Guidance on assuring the quality of biological and ecological assessments in the aquatic environment. CEN, Brussels.
Feio, M. J., and Dolédec, S. (2012). Integration of invertebrate traits into predictive models for indirect assessment of stream functional integrity: a case study in Portugal. Ecological Indicators 15, 236–247.
| Integration of invertebrate traits into predictive models for indirect assessment of stream functional integrity: a case study in Portugal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsFait7fJ&md5=30a874d1da65a47652d31c396cca18bdCAS |
García-Roger, E. M., Sanchez-Montoya, M. D., Gomez, R., Suarez, M. L., Vidal-Abarca, M. R., Latron, J., Rieradevall, M., and Prat, N. (2011). Do seasonal changes in habitat features influence aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in perennial versus temporary Mediterranean streams? Aquatic Sciences 73, 567–579.
| Do seasonal changes in habitat features influence aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in perennial versus temporary Mediterranean streams?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
García-Roger, E. M., Sanchez-Montoya, M. D., Cid, N., Erba, S., Karaouzas, I., Verkaik, I., Rieradevall, M., Gomez, R., Suarez, M. L., Vidal-Abarca, M. R., DeMartini, D., Buffagni, A., Skoulikidis, N., Bonada, N., and Prat, N. (2013). Spatial scale effects on taxonomic and biological trait diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean streams. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 183, 89–105.
| Spatial scale effects on taxonomic and biological trait diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gasith, A., and Resh, V. H. (1999). Streams in Mediterranean climate regions: abiotic influences and biotic responses to predictable seasonal events. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 30, 51–81.
| Streams in Mediterranean climate regions: abiotic influences and biotic responses to predictable seasonal events.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gayraud, S., Statzner, B., Bady, P., Haybachp, A., Schöll, F., Usseglio‐Polatera, P., and Bacchi, M. (2003). Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an initial assessment of alternative metrics. Freshwater Biology 48, 2045–2064.
| Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an initial assessment of alternative metrics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Giorgi, F., and Lionello, P. (2008). Climate change projections for the Mediterranean region. Global and Planetary Change 63, 90–104.
| Climate change projections for the Mediterranean region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
INAG I. P. (2008). Manual para a avaliação biológica da qualidade da água em sistemas fluviais segundo a Directiva Quadro da Água. Protocolo de amostragem e análise para os macroinvertebrados bentónicos. Ministério do Ambiente, Ordenamento do Território e do Desenvolvimento Regional. Instituto da Água, I. P., Lisbon, Portugal.
IPCC (2007). ‘Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.’ (Eds S. Solomon, D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K. B. Averyt, M. Tignor and H. L. Miller.) (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, and New York.)
IPCC (2012). ‘Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.’ (Eds C. B. Field, V. Barros, T. F. Stocker, D. Qin, D. J. Dokken, K. L. Ebi, M. D. Mastrandrea, K. J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S. K. Allen, M. Tignor, and P. M. Midgley.) (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, and New York.)
IPCC (2013). ‘Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.’ (Eds T. F. Stocker, D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S. K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P. M. Midgley.) (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK, and New York.)
Krammer, K. (2000). ‘Diatoms of Europe: Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats. Vol. 1. The genus Pinnularia.’ (A.R.G. Gantner-Verlag K.G.: Ruggell, Liechtenstein.)
Krammer, K. (2001). ‘Diatoms of Europe: Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats. Vol. 2. Navicula sensu stricto. 10 Genera separated from Navicula sensu lato Frustulia.’ (A.R.G. Gantner-Verlag K.G.: Ruggell, Liechtenstein.)
Krammer, K. (2009). ‘Diatoms of Europe: Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats. Vol. 5. Amphora sensu lato.’ (A.R.G. Gantner-Verlag K.G.: Ruggell, Liechtenstein.)
Krammer, K., and Lange-Bertalot, H. (1986). ‘Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Bd 2/1. Bacillariophyceae. 1. Teil: Naviculaceae.’ (Gustav Fisher Verlag: Stuttgart, Germany.)
Krammer, K., and Lange-Bertalot, H. (1988). ‘Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Bd 2/2. Bacillariophyceae. 2. Teil: Bacillariaceae, Epithemiaceae, Surirellaceae.’ (Gustav Fisher Verlag: Stuttgart, Germany.)
Krammer, K., and Lange-Bertalot, H. (1991a). ‘Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Bd 2/3. Bacillariophyceae. 3. Teil: Centrales, Fragilariaceae, Eunotiaceae.’ (Gustav Fisher Verlag: Stuttgart, Germany.)
Krammer, K., and Lange-Bertalot, H. (1991b). ‘Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Bd 2/4. Bacillariophyceae. 4. Teil: Achnanthaceae Kritische Ergänzungen zu Navicula (Lineolatae) und Gomphonema.’ (Gustav Fisher Verlag: Stuttgart, Germany.)
Lake, P. S. (2000). Disturbance, patchiness, and diversity in streams. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19, 573–592.
| Disturbance, patchiness, and diversity in streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lecointe, C., Coste, M., and Prygiel, J. (1993). OMNIDIA – software for taxonomy, calculation of diatom indexes and inventories management. Hydrobiologia 269–270, 509–513.
| OMNIDIA – software for taxonomy, calculation of diatom indexes and inventories management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ledger, M., Harris, R., Armitage, P., and Milner, A. (2008). Disturbance frequency influences patch dynamics in stream benthic algal communities. Oecologia 155, 809–819.
| Disturbance frequency influences patch dynamics in stream benthic algal communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18193289PubMed |
Litchman, E., and Klausmeier, C. A. (2008). Trait-based community ecology of phytoplankton. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 39, 615–639.
| Trait-based community ecology of phytoplankton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lytle, D. A., and Poff, N. L. R. (2004). Adaptation to natural flow regimes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 19, 94–100.
| Adaptation to natural flow regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mendes, T., Almeida, S. F. P., and Feio, M. J. (2012). Assessment of rivers using diatoms: effect of substrate and evaluation method. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 179, 267–279.
| Assessment of rivers using diatoms: effect of substrate and evaluation method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtlCgsLfF&md5=d8b4ac5aa2fef99084cb4439379a558eCAS |
Milly, P. C. D., Dunne, K. A., and Vecchia, A. V. (2005). Global pattern of trends in streamflow and water availability in a changing climate. Nature 438, 347–350.
| Global pattern of trends in streamflow and water availability in a changing climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXht1WksbfJ&md5=67cbc47d9c6eec79042a089ebf2a7b60CAS |
Mosisch, T. D. (2001). Effects of desiccation on stream epilithic algae. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 35, 173–179.
| Effects of desiccation on stream epilithic algae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Passy, S. I. (2002). Environmental randomness underlies morphological complexity of colonial diatoms. Functional Ecology 16, 690–695.
| Environmental randomness underlies morphological complexity of colonial diatoms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Passy, S. I. (2007). Diatom ecological guilds display distinct and predictable behaviour along nutrient and disturbance gradients in running waters. Aquatic Botany 86, 171–178.
| Diatom ecological guilds display distinct and predictable behaviour along nutrient and disturbance gradients in running waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peterson, C. G. (1996). Response of benthic algal communities to natural physical disturbance. In ‘Algal Ecology’. (Eds R. J. Stevenson, L. B. Max and L. L. Rex.) pp. 375–402. (Academic Press: San Diego, CA.)
Poff, N. L. R. (1997). Landscape filters and species traits: towards mechanistic understanding and prediction in stream ecology. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 16, 391–409.
| Landscape filters and species traits: towards mechanistic understanding and prediction in stream ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rimet, F., and Bouchez, A. (2011). Use of diatom life-forms and ecological guilds to assess pesticide contamination in rivers: lotic mesocosm approaches. Ecological Indicators 11, 489–499.
| Use of diatom life-forms and ecological guilds to assess pesticide contamination in rivers: lotic mesocosm approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsVaitrrJ&md5=86bb58cc78e171fb68be5ecbfc38baeeCAS |
Rimet, F., and Bouchez, A. (2012). Life-forms, cell-sizes and ecological guilds of diatoms in European rivers. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems 406, 01.
| Life-forms, cell-sizes and ecological guilds of diatoms in European rivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robson, B. J., Matthews, T. G., Lind, P. R., and Thomas, N. A. (2008). Pathways for algal recolonization in seasonally flowing streams. Freshwater Biology 53, 2385–2401.
| Pathways for algal recolonization in seasonally flowing streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Snoeijs, P., Busse, S., and Potapova, M. (2002). The importance of diatom cell size in community analysis. Journal of Phycology 38, 265–281.
| The importance of diatom cell size in community analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Statzner, B., Bis, B., Dolédec, S., and Usseglio-Polatera, P. (2001). Perspectives for biomonitoring at large spatial scales: a unified measure for the functional composition of invertebrate communities in European running waters. Basic and Applied Ecology 2, 73–85.
| Perspectives for biomonitoring at large spatial scales: a unified measure for the functional composition of invertebrate communities in European running waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stevenson, R. J., Pan, Y., Manoylov, K. M., Parker, C. A., Larsen, D. P., and Herlihy, A. T. (2008). Development of diatom indicators of ecological conditions for streams of the western US. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27, 1000–1016.
| Development of diatom indicators of ecological conditions for streams of the western US.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tachet, H., Richoux, P., Bournaud, M., and Usseglio-Polatera, P. (2002). ‘Invertébrés d’Eau Douce.’ (CNRS Editions: Paris.)
ter Braak, C. J. F., and Verdonschot, P. F. M. (1995). Canonical correspondence – analysis and related multivariate methods in aquatic ecology. Aquatic Sciences 57, 255–289.
| Canonical correspondence – analysis and related multivariate methods in aquatic ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tison, J., Park, Y. S., Coste, M., Wasson, J. G., Ector, L., Rimet, F., and Delmas, F. (2005). Typology of diatom communities and the influence of hydro-ecoregions: a study on the French hydrosystem scale. Water Research 39, 3177–3188.
| Typology of diatom communities and the influence of hydro-ecoregions: a study on the French hydrosystem scale.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXntlShsbw%3D&md5=50ee2741ad184854d03cbef30bb29876CAS | 16002120PubMed |
Virtanen, L. K., Köngäs, P., Aitto‐Oja, S., and Soininen, J. (2011). Is temporal occurrence of diatoms related to species traits, local abundance, and regional distribution? Journal of Phycology 47, 1445–1453.
| Is temporal occurrence of diatoms related to species traits, local abundance, and regional distribution?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
