Abstract
Water turbidity can significantly influence interspecific interactions in aquatic ecosystems. We tested the hypothesis that the turbidity gradient significantly differentiates the dynamics, significance and type of relationships in the structure of zooplankton communities colonizing mine pit reservoirs. The interactions between zooplankton species were evaluated by network graph analysis for three water turbidity classes: high turbidity (HT), moderate turbidity (MT) and low turbidity (LT). The HT network was most cohesive, and it was controlled by taxa grazing on various food sources within one ecological niche (Polyarthra longiremis, Brachionus angularis, Cyclops vicinus, Codonella cratera) and the positive and negative relationships between them were balanced. The MT biocenotic network was composed of three sub-networks connected by nodes with high communication attributes (Polyarthra vulgaris, Bosmina longirostris, C. vicinus), and antagonistic interactions (predation and competition) were less important. The LT network was most heterogeneous, and Daphnia cuculllata exerted the strongest influence on the network’s structure by forming numerous positive (coexistence with predators) and negative (interference competition with microphagous rotifers) interspecific relationships. The study provides new information about the ecology of aquatic ecosystems, that are disturbed by changes in water turbidity.
Highlights
IntroductionCould pose a risk of toxicity for aquatic organisms, including z ooplankton[38–41]. the turbidity gradient differentiates the species composition of zooplankton communities, and it can affect the type and strength of interspecific interactions, including predation and c ompetition[42,43]
Few studies have analysed the correlations between zooplankton communities and high water turbidity associated with human activity[29,30,37]
Species diversity was highest in the low turbidity (LT) class (H′ = 1.99; J′ = 0.714), and it was significantly lower in moderate turbidity (MT) and high turbidity (HT) classes (H′ = 1.64 and 1.62; J′ = 0.583 and 0.622, respectively; Table 1)
Summary
Could pose a risk of toxicity for aquatic organisms, including z ooplankton[38–41]. the turbidity gradient differentiates the species composition of zooplankton communities, and it can affect the type and strength of interspecific interactions, including predation and c ompetition[42,43]. Few studies have analysed the correlations between zooplankton communities and high water turbidity associated with human activity[29,30,37] Their results indicate that an increase in turbidity was accompanied by changes in the taxonomic structure, abundance, biomass and functional traits of zooplankton (size, feeding strategy). The response of zooplankton communities to water turbidity has never been analysed from a structural perspective, i.e. by investigating interspecific relationships, including the extent to which individual taxa influence the cohesion and other properties of planktonic networks. The resulting knowledge is important in reservoirs that are subjected to constant anthropogenic pressure, including natural water bodies as well as artificial reservoirs that are built and utilized for specific purposes (economic, social, recreational) In this context, a knowledge of zooplankton network functions can have practical implications, for example for managing fisheries or reclaiming water bodies through biomanipulation. A decrease in turbidity would be correlated with decentralization and fragmentation of the network, and with weakening of interspecific interactions in zooplankton communities
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