Multidimensional Aspects of Riverine Biodiversity Can Vary in Response to Nutrient Pollution and Environmental Dynamics Across Climatic Watersheds.

Abstract

The concurrent impact of anthropogenic and bioclimatic factors on biodiversity is a key focus in macroecology and biogeographical considerations in conservation programs within riverine ecosystems. However, there is still a lack of understanding about how multidimensional alpha and beta diversity measures respond to anthropogenic and bioclimatic drivers. Here, we assess the variations in taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional alpha and beta diversity of riverine macroinvertebrate communities across different watersheds in China. Our results show significant declines in most facets of alpha diversity across watersheds with low environmental heterogeneity, reflecting the loss of species with unique traits and evolutionary legacies. Both functional and phylogenetic beta-diversity values reveal a decreasing pattern along low heterogeneity environments, whereas taxonomic beta-diversity shows a contrasting pattern, which highlights the influence of microhabitat variation. Moreover, our findings identify nutrient levels, organic matter, water quality indicators, climatic variation, and geographic and habitat characteristics as key determinants of diversity patterns that are indicative of broader water pollution challenges. These factors jointly influence functional and phylogenetic alpha diversity and contribute to spatial homogenization, which is reflected in decreased functional and phylogenetic beta diversity. These trends highlight the complex interactions of chemical and physical factors in shaping biodiversity characteristics across watersheds. Based on the null model, macroinvertebrate communities primarily show random patterns, whereas clustering and overdispersion were sporadically observed in specific communities. We propose that conservation and restoration efforts should be aimed at enhancing aquatic biomes by managing extreme environmental conditions and amplifying spatial spillover, thereby supporting the intrinsic dynamics within natural metasystems and thus preserving the multidimensional aspects of biodiversity.