Biodiversity In Freshwater Ecosystems Research Articles

Chironomidae (Diptera) of the Šventoji and Žeimena sub-basins in Lithuania

Chironomidae, commonly known as non-biting midges, are key indicators of the health and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. They are also one of the most abundant and diverse groups of aquatic invertebrates. Although Chironomidae are ecologically important, abundant and diverse, there has been limited focused research on this group in Lithuania. Our study addresses this gap by analysing the diversity of Chironomidae in six Lithuanian streams. In this study, we present a comprehensive list of Chironomidae collected from six streams with similar hydrological characteristics: three dammed and three undammed. Lithuania is home to 158 species of known species of Chironomidae, comprised of 22 species in the subfamily Tanypodinae, 87 in the Chironominae, 42 in the Orthocladiinae, four in the Diamesinae and three in the Prodiamesinae. Throughout our research, we collected 11,296 chironomid specimens using a D-shaped aquatic net. Amongst these specimens, we identified 89 species representing 65 genera and five subfamilies, including 37 species and 12 genera, were recorded for the first time in Lithuania. The subfamily Chironominae, with 28 genera and 6,816 specimens, has exhibited the highest abundance of non-biting midges both in terms of genera and individuals. Amongst the streams investigated, the Luknelė was the richest in diversity, harbouring 37 genera and 2,657 individuals, accounting for about 55% of the Chironomidae genera found during the research. Our findings significantly enhance the understanding of the Lithuanian Chironomidae fauna, marking the first comprehensive study of such a kind, as previous knowledge of this fauna has been derived only from related studies.

Life outside the fishbowl: Tracking an introduced population of goldfish (Carassius auratus) in an embayment on the Laurentian Great Lakes

Invasive species are a key threat to biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems; and, as such, their management can be an important part of ecosystem restoration and conservation. In Hamilton Harbour, an impaired Lake Ontario embayment, invasive species are an important threat. In the early 2000s, an increase in invasive goldfish (Carassius auratus) was identified during monitoring surveys. This population of goldfish was studied via acoustic telemetry to gain knowledge about its biology to support management control options. Hamilton Harbour goldfish exhibited seasonal patterns in site and depth use, and clear preferences for over-wintering and spawning areas. Goldfish were largely resident to Hamilton Harbour with the exception of one individual. To predict when goldfish would move into spawning areas, we examined goldfish presence, abundance, and temperature at a fish-barrier connected to the harbour and developed models to predict goldfish presence based on Cumulative Growing Degree Days (CGDD) and Day of Year (DOY). Goldfish were captured in large numbers (>100 day−1) at the fishway when CGDD > 25.0 and DOY > 100; therefore, we predicted that our tagged fish would move to spawning areas when these thresholds were reached. Both models accurately predicted when tagged fish moved to spawning areas which largely occurred when water temperatures were lower (≥ 9.7 °C) than thresholds previously identified in the literature (i.e., 15.0 °C − 22.0 °C). This suggested that pre-spawn/staging behaviour was detected using telemetry driven by factors including water temperature. Results from this work will inform control strategies for goldfish, including active removal during aggregation prior to spawning.

A key evolutionary step determining osmoregulatory ability for freshwater colonisation in early life stage of fish.

Colonisation of freshwater habitats by marine animals is a remarkable evolutionary event that has enriched biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems. The acquisition of the tolerance to hypotonic stress during the early life stages is presumed to be essential for their successful freshwater colonisation, but very little empirical evidence has been obtained to support this idea. This study aimed to comprehend the evolutionary changes of osmoregulatory mechanisms that enhance the larval freshwater tolerance in amphidromous fishes, which typically spend their larval period in marine (ancestral) habitats and the rest of life history stages in freshwater (derived) habitats. We compared the life history patterns and changes in larval survivorship and gene expression depending on salinity among three congeneric marine-originated amphidromous goby species (Gymnogobius), which had been suggested to differ in their larval dependence on freshwater habitats. An otolith microchemical analysis and laboratory-rearing experiment confirmed the presence of freshwater residents only in G. urotaenia and higher larval survivorship of this species in the freshwater condition than the obligate amphidromous G. petschiliensis and G. opperiens. Larval whole-body transcriptome analysis revealed that G. urotaenia from both amphidromous and freshwater-resident populations exhibited the greatest differences in expression levels of several osmoregulatory genes, including aqp3, which is critical for water discharge from their body during early fish development. The present results consistently support the importance of enhanced freshwater tolerance and osmoregulatory plasticity in larval fish to establish freshwater forms, and further identified key candidate genes for larval freshwater adaptation and colonisation in the goby group.

Fish diversity assessed by eDNA detection methods in the Rioni River

Due to anthropogenic influences, habitat degradation and a continuous loss of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems are occurring on a large scale, while these ecosystems constitute invaluable natural resources. Therefore, it is essential to study and monitor freshwater ecosystems to guide conservation efforts. Freshwater ecosystems are one of the less-studied fields in Georgia. Studies about the species distribution of many taxa and/or regions carried out during the last century have not been updated for decades. Here, we report the results of an environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding exercise, based on samples collected from the Rioni River, a tributary to the Black Sea and a crucial aquatic ecosystem regionally and globally. The only comprehensive review of the fish of the Rioni River dates back to 1956. We compared the eDNA-based taxonomic composition to the known faunal composition within the Rioni River and found that the eDNA-based taxonomic coverage approached 75% of the expected total fish fauna. A number of new species occurrences were also found, including the first detection of three invasive alien species (Carassius gibelio, Pseudorasbora parva, Rhinogobius lindbergi) in the Rionis River Basin and a new country record of the ninespine stickleback (genus Pungitius) for Georgia. In spite of the usefulness of the eDNA metabarcoding approach, the sparsity of the fish DNA barcode reference library for the region emerged as a limitation to this study. However, our findings still represent a great leap forward in updating fish status on the Rioni River and testing the effectiveness of the eDNA sampling for aquatic species.

Root development is faster in common species of Potamogeton compared to declining species of Potamogeton in Danish lowland streams

The decline in biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems occurs at an alarming rate throughout the world. In Denmark, we know from historical records that several species within the plant genus Potamogeton, that were previously widespread in Danish freshwater ecosystems, are now under severe decline. In this study, we explore root development in two common and three declining Potamogeton species applying an experimental approach. Specifically, we examined if root development characteristics can contribute to explain the contrasting success of these species in the contemporary stream vegetation in Denmark. In accordance with our hypothesis, our results showed that common species of Potamogeton produced roots faster, had longer roots and produced more roots per growth node than declining Potamogeton species. This was particularly clear for P. crispus. Overall, our results expose a mechanism that is likely to affect the ability of these species to maintain populations in highly disturbed lowland streams in Denmark and therefore contribute to explain the contrasting success of these species.

The Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Kızılırmak River (Nevşehir, Turkey) and Their Relation with Environmental Variables

Turkey has many ecological characteristics due to its geographical location, allowing it to have a rich biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems. This study was carried out on the Kızılırmak river, the longest river (1.355 km) in the country; it originates and empties into the sea within its borders. The Kızılırmak river serves various agricultural, industrial, drinking water-related, and recreational purposes and greatly contributes to the region’s economy. This study aimed to determine the distribution of the river’s macroinvertebrate fauna and evaluate the impact of environmental variables on species distribution. In addition, using species-based biodiversity indices such as the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), Average Score per Taxon (ASPT), the Shannon–Wiener index, and evenness analysis, spatial and temporal similarities and differences were determined. According to the results, the ten taxonomic groups in the Kızılırmak river belong to the following categories: Gastropoda (81.5%), Gammaridae (9.8%), Oligochaeta (6.2%) Chironomidae (2.1%), Hirudinea (0.3%), and various others (0.1%). The Shannon–Wiener and evenness indexes were 0.29–1.9 and 0.46–0.14, respectively. TR-BMWP scores are in the poor to very poor water quality classes, and the ASPT ranges from moderate to poor water quality. Correlation analysis between species and physicochemical parameters indicated that the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna diversity of the river is affected by natural and anthropogenic factors.

From extremely acidic to alkaline: Aquatic invertebrates in forest mining lakes under the pressure of acidification

AbstractHuman activities, including the mining industry, have considerably degraded water habitats worldwide. Acidification has severely affected aquatic environments and biodiversity by altering food webs and reducing species richness. The study area in southern Poland is unique in addressing the effects of mining‐related acidification on biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems along a broad pH gradient (2.4–9.6) in mining lakes. Study was designed to test for effect of human induced acidification. Using multivariate ordination techniques, we analyzed how variations in invertebrate composition are related to environmental factors. The results indicated that pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, and the content of ammonia and calcium were significantly associated with the distribution of invertebrates in the studied mining lakes. The highest iron content, relatively high values of conductivity, and chlorides were found in the extremely acidic mining lakes. A clear trend in decreasing density with decreasing pH was observed for taxa such as Oligochaeta, Chironomidae, Glossiphonidae, and certain taxa of snails. However, the density of other taxa such as Lestidae, Libellulidae, Caenidae, Sialidae, Helodidae, Hydrophilidae, and Polycentropodidae increased with decreasing pH. Specific communities were found with increasing acidity. Therefore, a further increase in acidity will probably cause a stronger decline in most of taxa and their density, and on water chemistry (e.g., calcium concentration, nitrites, and hardness). The data yielded offer an opportunity to fill knowledge gaps on acidic stress concerning less‐studied environments such as mining lakes and link environmental pollution with communities, which is especially important, because aquatic forest habitats are especially exposed to different climatic factors and threats.

Using eDNA to assess the fish diversity and spatial characteristics in the Changjiang River-Shijiu Lake connected system

With the decrease in biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, the monitoring of fish has become a current research hotspot. The eDNA-based method has been applied to a variety of single-type water systems (i.e., rivers, lakes, or oceans), but it has not been applied to river–lake-connected systems. We collected eDNA from water samples from the Changjiang River–Shijiu Lake connected system (including the lake area, river channel, and river section) and discussed the fish diversity characteristics of the connected system. A total of 180 samples were collected, and the fish community was analyzed using eDNA metabarcoding of the mitochondrial 12 s region. We finally identified 66 taxa of fish, including one at the order level, two at the family level, 9 at the subfamily level, 20 at the genus level, and 34 annotated to the species level. The number of fish species in the river–lake connected system was greater than that in a single-type water system. The lake area, river channel, and river section had a high degree of overlap in fish composition, and the maximum number of fish was in the river section. There was no significant difference in α diversity index among the three types of waters, but there were significant differences in fish relative abundance, which was dominated by different species. The distribution of three migratory fish (Elopichthys bambusa, Ctenopharyngodon idella, and Hypophthalmichthyinae sp.) accorded with the unique life history migration strategy in the middle and lower reaches of the Changjiang River. Our results provide detailed data on fish diversity and have important implications for the long-term management and conservation of river–lake connected systems in the lower reaches of the Changjiang River. Our research further proves that eDNA can be used to monitor the biodiversity of river–lake connected systems and reflect their spatial characteristics. As a continuously explored method, eDNA shows great potential in the study of fish diversity in river–lake systems.

Predicting Potential Habitat Changes of Two Invasive Alien Fish Species with Climate Change at a Regional Scale

Developing national-level policies related to climate change induced expansions of invasive species requires predictive modelling at a regional scale level. This study aimed to predict future changes in the habitat distributions of two major invasive alien fish species, Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus, in South Korea. An ensemble system with multiple species distribution models was used for the prediction, and gridded water portion data from the linear-structure information on river channels inputted as habitat characteristics of freshwater ecosystem into the models. Bioclimatic variables at 20-year intervals from 2001 to 2100 were generated from predicted temperature and precipitation data under the representative concentration pathway 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The overall distribution probabilities of the potential habitats increased with time in both climate change scenarios, and the potential habitats were predicted to expand to upstream areas. Combined with regional ecological value information, such as biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, these results can be an important basis for deriving regional priority information for managing alien species in climate change. Additionally, the modelling approach is highly applicable to various national-level policies for ecosystem conservation since it is not greatly restricted by spatial scales.

DNA barcodes evidence the contact zone of eastern and western caddisfly lineages in the Western Carpathians

The region of the Western Carpathians is, among other aspects, very important for survival and diversity of European freshwater fauna due to the presence of a large number of (sub)mountain springs and streams. However, these ecologically and faunistically diversified habitats are still understudied in the context of genetic diversity and population structure of their inhabitants. This study focuses on genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the caddisfly Rhyacophila tristis, common and widespread representative of mountain freshwater fauna. Analysis of the COI mitochondrial marker revealed presence of the western and eastern lineages, with samples from both lineages being grouped in BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) into separate BINs (Barcode Index Numbers). Our data indicates that eastern lineage (BIN_E) is more closely related to the Balkan populations than to co-occurring western lineage (BIN_W), and that the contact zone of the lineages passes through the W Carpathians. The study revealed phylogeographic and demographic differences between lineages, supporting hypothesis of their evolutionary independence and specific ecological preferences. The obtained genetic data of the R. tristis population from W Carpathians improved our knowledge about population genetics of this aquatic species and can contribute to understanding the state and evolution of biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in Europe.

Environmental DNA allows upscaling spatial patterns of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems

The alarming declines of freshwater biodiversity call for efficient biomonitoring at fine spatiotemporal scales, such that conservation measures be grounded upon accurate biodiversity data. Here, we show that combining environmental DNA (eDNA) extracted from stream water samples with models based on hydrological first principles allows upscaling biodiversity estimates for aquatic insects at very high spatial resolution. Our model decouples the diverse upstream contributions to the eDNA data, enabling the reconstruction of taxa distribution patterns. Across a 740-km2 basin, we obtain a space-filling biodiversity prediction at a grain size resolution of 1-km long stream sections. The model’s accuracy in matching direct observations of aquatic insects’ local occurrence ranges between 57–100%. Our results demonstrate how eDNA can be used for high-resolution biodiversity assessments in rivers with minimal prior knowledge of the system. Our approach allows identification of biodiversity hotspots that could be otherwise overlooked, enabling implementation of focused conservation strategies.

Steam and Flame Applications as Novel Methods of Population Control for Invasive Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) and Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

Control strategies for established populations of invasive alien species can be costly and complex endeavours, which are frequently unsuccessful. Therefore, rapid-reaction techniques that are capable of maximising efficacy whilst minimising environmental damage are urgently required. The Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774), and the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771), are invaders capable of adversely affecting the functioning and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. Despite efforts to implement substantial population-control measures, both species continue to spread and persist within freshwater environments. As bivalve beds often become exposed during low-water conditions, this study examined the efficacy of steam-spray (≥100 °C, 350 kPa) and open-flame burn treatments (~1000 °C) to kill exposed individuals. Direct steam exposure lasting for 5 min caused 100% mortality of C. fluminea buried at a depth of 3 cm. Further, combined rake and thermal shock treatments, whereby the substrate is disturbed between each application of either a steam or open flame, caused 100% mortality of C. fluminea specimens residing within a 4-cm deep substrate patch, following three consecutive treatment applications. However, deeper 8-cm patches and water-saturated substrate reduced maximum bivalve species mortality rates to 77% and 70%, respectively. Finally, 100% of D. polymorpha specimens were killed following exposure to steam and open-flame treatments lasting for 30 s and 5 s, respectively. Overall, our results confirm the efficacy of thermal shock treatments as a potential tool for substantial control of low-water-exposed bivalves. Although promising, our results require validation through upscaling to field application, with consideration of other substrate types, increased substrate depth, greater bivalve densities, non-target and long-term treatment effects.

The role of freshwater bioacoustics in ecological research

AbstractConventional methodologies used to estimate biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems can be nonselective and invasive, sometimes leading to capture and potential injury of vulnerable species. Therefore, interest in noninvasive surveying techniques is growing among freshwater ecologists. Passive acoustic monitoring, the noninvasive recording of environmental sounds, has been shown to effectively survey biota in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. However, knowledge of the sounds produced by freshwater species is relatively scarce. Furthermore, little is known about the representation of different freshwater taxonomic groups and habitat types within the literature. Here we present results of a systematic review of research literature on freshwater bioacoustics and identify promising areas of future research. The review showed that fish are the focal taxonomic group in 44% of published studies and were studied primarily in laboratory aquaria and lotic habitats. By contrast, lentic habitats and other taxonomic groups have received relatively little research interest. It is particularly striking that arthropods are only represented by 26% of studies, despite their significant contributions to freshwater soundscapes. This indicates a mismatch between the representation of taxonomic groups within the freshwater bioacoustic literature and their relative acoustic contribution to natural freshwater soundscapes. In addition, the review indicates an ongoing shift from behavioral studies, often with focus on a single taxonomic group, towards field‐based studies using ecoacoustic approaches. On the basis of this review we suggest that future freshwater bioacoustics research should focus on passive acoustic monitoring and arthropod sound, which would likely yield novel insights into freshwater ecosystem function and condition.This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Water and Life > Methods

Understanding environmental change through the lens of trait-based, functional, and phylogenetic biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems

In the era of the Anthropocene, environmental change is accelerating biodiversity loss across ecosystems on Earth, among which freshwaters are likely the most threatened. Different biodiversity facets in the freshwater realm suffer from various environmental changes that jeopardize the ecosystem functions and services important for humankind. In this work we examine how environmental changes (e.g., climate change, eutrophication, or invasive species) affect trait-based, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of biological communities. We first developed a simple conceptual model of the possible relationships between environmental change and these three diversity facets in freshwaters and, secondly, systematically reviewed articles where these relationships had been investigated in different freshwater ecosystems. Finally, we highlighted research gaps from the perspectives of organisms, ecosystems, stressors, and geographical locations. Our conceptual model suggested that both natural factors and global change operating at various spatial scales influence freshwater community structure and ecosystem functioning. The relationships between biodiversity and environmental change depend on geographical region, organism group, spatial scale, and environmental change gradient length. The systematic review revealed that environmental change impacts biodiversity patterns in freshwaters, but there is no single type of biodiversity response to the observed global changes. Natural stressors had different, even contradictory, effects (i.e., multiple, negative, and positive) on biodiversity compared with anthropogenic stressors. Anthropogenic stressors more often decreased biodiversity, although eutrophication and climate change affected freshwater ecosystems in a complex, more multi-dimensional way. The research gaps we identified were related, for example, to the low number of community-based biodiversity studies, the lack of information on true phylogenies for all freshwater organism groups, the missing evaluations whether species traits are phylogenetically conserved, and the geographical biases in research (i.e., absence of studies from Africa, Southern Asia, and Russia). We hope that our review will stimulate more research on the less well-known facets and topics of biodiversity loss in highly vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.

The ecohydrological vulnerability of a large inland delta to changing regional streamflows and upstream irrigation expansion

AbstractFuture climate change and anthropogenic interventions can alter historical streamflow conditions and consequently degrade the health and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. Future ecohydrological threats, however, are difficult to quantify using the cascade of climate and hydrological models due to various uncertainties involved. This study instead uses a fully bottom‐up approach to evaluate the ecohydrological vulnerability of the Saskatchewan River Delta (SRD), the largest inland delta in North America, to changing streamflow regime and irrigation expansion. An ensemble of perturbed streamflow sequences, along with scenarios of current and expanded irrigation, was generated and fed into a regional water resource system model. Results show that the streamflow regime in the delta is more sensitive to upstream changes in annual flow volume than peak flow timing and/or irrigation expansion. The sensitivity to changes in flow volume, however, may be intensified when combined with changes in peak timing. Shifts in the upstream peak flow timing can alter the magnitude and timing of peak flow to the delta, with prime importance to aquatic biota that are adapted to historical rhythmicity in peak flows and timing. Irrigation expansion decreases the magnitude and frequency of the peak flows, alters the frequency of average and low flows, and slightly shifts the timing of the mean annual peak flow in the SRD. This can lead to isolation of lakes and wetlands from the main stream. Our results highlight the ecohydrological vulnerability of the SRD under potential changing conditions and can assist in proposing adaptation policies to protect this ecosystem.

Sedimentary Bacteriopheophytin a as an indicator of meromixis in varved lake sediments of Lake Jaczno, north-east Poland, CE 1891–2010

Trends in eutrophication and meromixis pose serious threats to water quality and biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems around the world. Because long-term observational data rarely exist, it is very difficult to assess whether meromixis is the result of anthropogenic impacts, climate variability, natural ecosystem development or a combination of these factors. Lake sediment proxy-data may help understand how and why eutrophication and meromixis occurred and disappeared in the past. In this study, we present a novel method and proxy to investigate past episodes of meromixis and hypolimnetic anoxia recorded in lake sediments. We use high-resolution (70×70μm/pixel) calibrated hyperspectral imaging of a varved lake sediment core from meromictic Lake Jaczno (north-east Poland), to quantitatively map the spatial distribution of Bacteriopheophytin a (Bphe a) at very high sub-varve (i.e. seasonal) resolution. Bphe a is a bacterial pigment and stable degradation product of Bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a), which is produced by anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (APBs) at the chemocline of meromictic lakes. Using sedimentary Bphe a we infer episodes of meromixis (i.e. long-term hypolimnetic anoxia) and changing mixing conditions (i.e. seasonal temperature, event-based water mixing) for the past ca. 120years. Absence of meromixis occurred on several occasions. From the beginning of our record in CE 1891 until ca. CE 1918, meromixis was not observed. During this time, green pigments (mainly chlorophyll a [Chl a] and diagenetic products) produced by phototrophic algae were deposited while Bphe a was absent. This suggests that regular lake overturning prevented the formation of a persistent chemocline. Bphe a was identified before CE 1890 (Butz et al. 2015), but over the studied period 1891–2011, meromixis was established in CE 1918 and generally persisted through modern times. However, short-term interruptions of the chemocline were observed following events of rapid sedimentation (CE 1943, CE 1946, CE 1950) and after a strong pulse of terrigenous material in CE 1978. These events were able to break up meromixis for a short period. After a few years, the system always turned back to meromixis. After ca. CE 1960, meromixis became particularly persistent. This can be attributed to the increased use of fertilizers (causing eutrophication) and warm summers after CE 1990. While interannual summer temperature variability played a major role in the mixing regime until ca. CE 1920, the climatic influence generally decreased in the following decades as the lake remained persistently in a meromictic state due to eutrophication. However, the climatic fingerprint remained detectable for very warm or cold summers.

GLOBIO-Aquatic, a global model of human impact on the biodiversity of inland aquatic ecosystems

• GLOBIO-Aquatic models human impacts on freshwater biodiversity on a global scale. • The model is based on empirical relations between pressures and biodiversity intactness. • Spatial information on land use, climate and hydrological change is used as input. • OECD 2050 baseline scenario predicts increased biodiversity loss mainly in the tropics. • Increasing data availability will further increase the potential of the model. Biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems – rivers, lakes and wetlands – is undergoing rapid global decline. Major drivers are land use change, eutrophication, hydrological disturbance, climate change, overexploitation and invasive species. We developed a global model for assessing the dominant human impacts on inland aquatic biodiversity. The system consists of a biodiversity model, named GLOBIO-Aquatic, that is embedded in the IMAGE model framework, i.e. linked to models for demography, economy, land use changes, climate change, nutrient emissions, a global hydrological model and a global map of water bodies. The biodiversity model is based on a recompilation of existing data, thereby scaling-up from local/regional case-studies to global trends. We compared species composition in impacted lakes, rivers and wetlands to that in comparable undisturbed systems. We focussed on broad categories of human-induced pressures that are relevant at the global scale. The drivers currently included are catchment land use changes and nutrient loading affecting water quality, and hydrological disturbance and climate change affecting water quantity. The resulting relative mean abundance of original species is used as indicator for biodiversity intactness. For lakes, we used dominance of harmful algal blooms as an additional indicator. The results show that there is a significant negative relation between biodiversity intactness and these stressors in all types of freshwater ecosystems. In heavily used catchments, standing water bodies would lose about 80% of their biodiversity intactness and running waters about 70%, while severe hydrological disturbance would result in losses of about 80% in running waters and more than 50% in floodplain wetlands. As an illustration, an analysis using the OECD ‘baseline scenario’ shows a considerable decline of the biodiversity intactness in still existing water bodies in 2000, especially in temperate and subtropical regions, and a further decline especially in tropical regions in 2050. Historical loss of wetland areas is not yet included in these results. The model may inform policy makers at the global level in what regions aquatic biodiversity will be affected most and by what causes, and allows for scenario analysis to evaluate policy options.

Hypoxia, blackwater and fish kills: experimental lethal oxygen thresholds in juvenile predatory lowland river fishes.

Hypoxia represents a growing threat to biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems. Here, aquatic surface respiration (ASR) and oxygen thresholds required for survival in freshwater and simulated blackwater are evaluated for four lowland river fishes native to the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), Australia. Juvenile stages of predatory species including golden perch Macquaria ambigua, silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus, Murray cod Maccullochella peelii, and eel-tailed catfish Tandanus tandanus were exposed to experimental conditions of nitrogen-induced hypoxia in freshwater and hypoxic blackwater simulations using dried river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litter. Australia's largest freshwater fish, M. peelii, was the most sensitive to hypoxia but given that we evaluated tolerances of juveniles (0.99±0.04 g; mean mass ±SE), the low tolerance of this species could not be attributed to its large maximum attainable body mass (>100,000 g). Concentrations of dissolved oxygen causing 50% mortality (LC50) in freshwater ranged from 0.25±0.06 mg l−1 in T. tandanus to 1.58±0.01 mg l−1 in M. peelii over 48 h at 25–26°C. Logistic models predicted that first mortalities may start at oxygen concentrations ranging from 2.4 mg l−1 to 3.1 mg l−1 in T. tandanus and M. peelii respectively within blackwater simulations. Aquatic surface respiration preceded mortality and this behaviour is documented here for the first time in juveniles of all four species. Despite the natural occurrence of hypoxia and blackwater events in lowland rivers of the MDB, juvenile stages of these large-bodied predators are vulnerable to mortality induced by low oxygen concentration and water chemistry changes associated with the decomposition of organic material. Given the extent of natural flow regime alteration and climate change predictions of rising temperatures and more severe drought and flooding, acute episodes of hypoxia may represent an underappreciated risk to riverine fish communities.

Individual and combined suppressive effects of submerged and floating-leaved macrophytes on algal blooms

Shallow lakes and ponds are often characterised either by clear water with abundant submerged macrophytes or by turbid water with abundant phytoplankton. Blooms of toxic filamentous blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) often dominate the phytoplankton community in eutrophic lakes, which threatens ecological functions and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. We studied a simple lake model in order to evaluate individual and combined suppressive effects of rooted submerged and rooted floating-leaved macrophytes on algal blooms. Floating-leaved plants are superior competitors for light, whereas submerged plants absorb and reduce available phosphorus in a water column that rooted floating-leaved plants exploit to a lesser extent. We found that mixed vegetation that includes both submerged and floating-leaved plants is more resistant than vegetation comprised by a single plant type to algal invasion triggered by phosphorus loading. In addition, competitive exclusion of submerged plants by floating-leaved plants may promote an algal bloom. These predictions were confirmed by the decision tree analysis of field data from 35 irrigation ponds in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

Temperature requirements of Atlantic salmonSalmo salar, brown troutSalmo truttaand Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinus: predicting the effects of climate change

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, brown trout Salmo trutta (including the anadromous form, sea trout) and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (including anadromous fish) provide important commercial and sports fisheries in Western Europe. As water temperature increases as a result of climate change, quantitative information on the thermal requirements of these three species is essential so that potential problems can be anticipated by those responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of the fisheries and the maintenance of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems. Part I compares the temperature limits for survival, feeding and growth. Salmo salar has the highest temperature tolerance, followed by S. trutta and finally S. alpinus. For all three species, the temperature tolerance for alevins is slightly lower than that for parr and smolts, and the eggs have the lowest tolerance; this being the most vulnerable life stage to any temperature increase, especially for eggs of S. alpinus in shallow water. There was little evidence to support local thermal adaptation, except in very cold rivers (mean annual temperature <6·5° C). Part II illustrates the importance of developing predictive models, using data from a long-term study (1967-2000) of a juvenile anadromous S. trutta population. Individual-based models predicted the emergence period for the fry. Mean values over 34 years revealed a large variation in the timing of emergence with c. 2 months between extreme values. The emergence time correlated significantly with the North Atlantic Oscillation Index, indicating that interannual variations in emergence were linked to more general changes in climate. Mean stream temperatures increased significantly in winter and spring at a rate of 0·37° C per decade, but not in summer and autumn, and led to an increase in the mean mass of pre-smolts. A growth model for S. trutta was validated by growth data from the long-term study and predicted growth under possible future conditions. Small increases (<2·5° C) in winter and spring would be beneficial for growth with 1 year-old smolts being more common. Water temperatures would have to increase by c. 4° C in winter and spring, and 3° C in summer and autumn before they had a marked negative effect on trout growth.