Distribution Of Functional Feeding Groups Research Articles

Temporal-spatial distribution of functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrate and biological evaluation of water quality in Xinyang section of the Huaihe River main stream

From November 2021 to September 2022, we conducted four field surveys on macroinvertebrates and water environmental factors in Xinyang section of the Huaihe River main stream. We analyzed the structure and spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates, and evaluated river water quality. A total of 73 macroinvertebrate species were collected in the basin, belonging to 42 families, 7 classes, and 3 phyla. The dominant species of macroinvertebrates changed significantly in different months, with Exopalaemon modestus being the absolute advantage species in the basin in July and September 2022. In different sampling months, the functional feeding group of macroinvertebrates was mainly dominated by shredders, accounting for 35.9%. The results of redundancy analysis showed that the main environmental factors affecting the distribution of functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates varied across different months, with conductivity in February, temperature in July, and oxidation-reduction potential in September and November. The evaluation based on the biolo-gical index and Shannon index of macroinvertebrates indicated that water quality in the investigated section was at a light pollution level.

Benthic macroinvertebrates functional feeding group community distribution in rivers connected to reservoirs in the midstream of Citarum River, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Ilmi F, Muntalif BS, Chazanah N, Sari NE, Bagaskara SW. 2023. Benthic macroinvertebrates functional feeding group community distribution in rivers connected to reservoirs in the Midstream of Citarum River, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 1773-1784. An imbalance in the composition of the feeding groups can indicate a disturbed environment; therefore, in recent years, feeding group composition analysis has been widely used by academics to assess the health of river ecosystems. This research aims to describe the general distribution of functional feeding groups related to their habitat condition. The research was conducted in the midstream of the Citarum River, around the Saguling, Cirata, and Jatiluhur Dams of West Java Province, Indonesia. The midstream Citarum region starts from the Margaasih Sub-district, Bandung District (before Saguling Dam) to the Jatiluhur Sub-district, Purwakarta District (after Jatiluhur Dam). The research was conducted from July to September 2022. Environmental data, including water and sediment samples, were taken monthly, whereas benthic macroinvertebrates samples were taken every two weeks using a Surber net. Benthic macroinvertebrates samples were then classified based on their species and feeding group. In addition, water pollution levels were classified based on Nemerow Pollution Index. Pollution levels and sediment characteristics were then tested for correlation with the benthic macroinvertebrate feeding group distribution. In general, in midstream Citarum, gathering collectors are the group with the highest relative abundance (82.64%), followed by scrapers (35.6%), predators (11.66%), and filtering collectors (2.14%). Based on Pearson's correlation, environmental conditions such as pollution and types of substrates have several negative correlations with the distribution of functional feeding groups. A dam in the midstream Citarum region has proven to affect environmental conditions. Differences in flow velocity, substrate characteristics, physicochemical quality of water, and pollution levels characterize this.

Macroinvertebrate Community Composition in Wetlands of the Desert Southwest is Driven by wastewater-associated Nutrient Loading Despite Differences in Salinity.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13157-022-01647-2.

Spatial distribution patterns of benthic macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups by stream size and gradient in Republic of Korea

Benthic macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) are influenced by the availability of food sources, which can be affected by stream size and gradient. We investigated the spatial distribution patterns of FFGs by stream size (stream order, catchment area and stream width) and gradient (altitude and slope). In addition, we attempted stream classification based on the distribution patterns of FFGs. To achieve these goals, a total of 996 sampling sites of national scale located in the Republic of Korea were investigated from 2008 to 2016. Among the five physical variables, stream width and slope showed linear relationships with the indicator values of FFGs. These two physical variables had larger influences on the distribution of FFGs compared to other variables. Geology (the type of rocks) showed little influences on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. We classified streams focusing on catchment (stream size) area and altitude (stream gradient) because they are constants that do not change with disturbances. The FFGs and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were distinctly changed by stream types, indicating that the stream classification criterion adequately represented changes in physical variables in biotic terms. In addition, the distribution of FFGs and biotic assemblages showed that benthic macroinvertebrates in the Republic of Korea were more influenced by the altitude (stream gradient) than the catchment area (stream size). In overall, this study found that the stream size and gradient markedly influence the distribution of FFGs in national regions of the Republic of Korea. Further research is needed focusing on the level of microhabitats and other parameters to identify the promising variables that influence biotic distribution.

Aquatic Insect Functional Feeding Groups in a Mountain Stream with a Series of Check Dams in Northern Thailand

A series of check dams (or small dams in shallow streams) have been placed on many streams throughout Thailand and the number of them continue to increase. Check dam construction activities have been emphasized by the government and private sector entities over the last decade to prevent severe flood or drought due to changes in rainfall patterns. This study evaluated distribution of functional feeding groups (FFG) in a stream with a high density of check dams. Twelve sampling sites at three altitudes (500, 900 and 1500 m asl) included undammed and nearby dammed sections (above and below check dams) were used. Aquatic insects were collected monthly at each site for a year and categorized into FFG. Aquatic insect composition of undammed and above dam sites was different. Abundance within each FFG at above dam sites significantly differed from undammed sites. Taxonomic richness at 1500 and 900 m altitudes was decreased at above dam sites compared with the corresponding undammed sites, whereas above dam sites of 500 m altitude had higher richness than undammed site. High abundance of predators and collector-gatherers associated with reservoirs and fine sediment accumulation above dams, where filter-feeders were scarce. Shredder abundance varied among sites and was highest where leaf packs were most abundant. Scrapers were least abundant group and inconsistent with the dams. Distribution of FFG was similar to changes in other regulated streams. The composition of FFG reflected the stream ecosystem conditions through adaptation of communities to stream habitat and food resources, including those associated with check dam construction.

Microhabitat selection and distribution of functional feeding groups of mayfly larvae (Ephemeroptera) in lotic karst habitats

Research examining mayfly ecology in karst streams and rivers has increased in recent years, though microhabitat preferences remain poorly characterized. We examined mayfly assemblage taxonomy, functional feeding groups and microhabitat preferences in two contrasting lotic Dinaric karst catchments, one pristine and one anthropogenically impacted. At monthly intervals over a one-year period, all major microhabitats (i.e. dominated by boulders, cobbles, sand, silt, mosses, or angiosperms) were sampled at sites spanning springs, upper, middle and lower river reaches, and tufa barriers. In both catchments, mayfly species richness was comparable among microhabitats, while mayfly abundance was highest on mosses and lowest on silt. NMDS ordination did not group assemblages according to microhabitat type, which may reflect the greater influence of physical and chemical water properties. In both catchments and all microhabitats, mayfly assemblages were dominated by grazers/scrapers at upstream sites and by detritivores at downstream sites. Active filter feeders were more abundant in microhabitats with silt substrates and lower current velocities. This study demonstrated that certain mayfly species strongly preferred a specific microhabitat type, reflecting their water current preferences and feeding strategies, while other species shifted between microhabitats, likely in search of food resources and shelter. The results emphasize the importance of habitat heterogeneity in supporting diverse communities in karst rivers.

Insect herbivory patterns in late Eocene coastal lowland riparian associations from central Germany

The study comprises a first detailed analysis of insect herbivory patterns in a Paleogene megaflora from the central German Leipzig Embayment (former Weißelster Basin). The compression plant assemblage comes from the upper Eocene (upper Bartonian or lower Priabonian) Luckenau Clay Complex (lignite-bearing Borna Formation) that represents sediments of a coastal alluvial braidplain. In total 26 insect damage types (DT's) were distinguished on 1588 fossil leaves resulting in a damage frequency of 6.1%. Overall 18 of 36 dicotyledonous angiosperm taxa provided evidence for an associated insect herbivore fauna. Particular statements about insect folivory are restricted to evergreen taxa, which provided a sufficient number of leaves. The overall highest diversity and frequency of DT's was detected on Sloanea nimrodi (Elaeocarpaceae). Based on the abundance and distribution of functional feeding groups (FFG's) the diversity of insects herbivores as well as specific host plant characteristics such as plant defense strategies and leaf morphology are discussed. Hence, the study provides key information on the ecology of feeding associations and the linkage between plants and their insect herbivores for a lowland riparian forest ecosystem. Furthermore, the investigation of the “kaolinite-enriched” Luckenau Clay Complex yields important insights in syn- and postdepositional processes and landscape evolution.

Experimental drought changes ecosystem structure and function in a macrophyte-rich stream

Water abstraction continues to increase worldwide, causing periods with extreme low-flow in many streams, which will likely intensify in the future due to climate change. Extreme low-flow may have major effects on in-stream habitats, organisms, and consequently ecosystem functions. We investigated the effects of a 2 months experimentally induced extreme low-flow scenario on the physical, biological, and functional characteristics in a macrophyte-rich lowland stream using a before-after, control-impact (BACI) approach. We quantified nutrient dynamics, including inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, ammonium uptake, and whole-stream metabolism. We found a significant decline in the stream wetted habitat area, an increase in water temperature, and an increase in the accumulation of fine organic matter with reduced flow, but no significant changes in dissolved oxygen or benthic chlorophyll a concentrations. Furthermore, the relative demand and overall uptake of ammonium was lower in the low-flow reach relative to the control reach, whereas the relative demand and uptake of phosphate were higher at low-flow. Our results demonstrate that low-flow conditions cause resource limitation in stream biota most likely due to increased thickness of the diffusive boundary layers and an enhanced heterotrophic activity in the accumulated fine organic matter. Our results imply that the basal resources for productivity shift from autotrophic towards more heterotrophic resources causing a shift at higher trophic levels towards more detritivore based and less herbivore based food webs with implications for the invertebrate community composition and the distribution of functional feeding groups. Based on the strong links observed between low-flow and nutrient uptake, we suggest that functional metrics are suitable to assess the effects of low-flow conditions in small streams.

Longitudinal Distribution of the Functional Feeding Groups of Aquatic Insects in Streams of the Brazilian Cerrado Savanna.

We demonstrate that the distribution of the functional feeding groups of aquatic insects is related to hierarchical patch dynamics. Patches are sites with unique environmental and functional characteristics that are discontinuously distributed in time and space within a lotic system. This distribution predicts that the occurrence of species will be based predominantly on their environmental requirements. We sampled three streams within the same drainage basin in the Brazilian Cerrado savanna, focusing on waterfalls and associated habitats (upstream, downstream), representing different functional zones. We collected 2,636 specimens representing six functional feeding groups (FFGs): brushers, collector-gatherers, collector-filterers, shredders, predators, and scrapers. The frequency of occurrence of these groups varied significantly among environments. This variation appeared to be related to the distinct characteristics of the different habitat patches, which led us to infer that the hierarchical patch dynamics model can best explain the distribution of functional feeding groups in minor lotic environments, such as waterfalls.

Measuring the relative resilience of subarctic lakes to global change: redundancies of functions within and across temporal scales

Summary Ecosystems at high altitudes and latitudes are expected to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of global change. We assessed the responses of littoral invertebrate communities to changing abiotic conditions in subarctic Swedish lakes with long‐term data (1988–2010) and compared the responses of subarctic lakes with those of more southern, hemiboreal lakes. We used a complex systems approach, based on multivariate time‐series modelling, and identified dominant and distinct temporal frequencies in the data; that is, we tracked community change at distinct temporal scales. We determined the distribution of functional feeding groups of invertebrates within and across temporal scales. Within and cross‐scale distributions of functions have been considered to confer resilience to ecosystems, despite changing environmental conditions. Two patterns of temporal change within the invertebrate communities were identified that were consistent across the lakes. The first pattern was one of monotonic change associated with changing abiotic lake conditions. The second was one of showing fluctuation patterns largely unrelated to gradual environmental change. Thus, two dominant and distinct temporal frequencies (temporal scales) were present in all lakes analysed. Although the contribution of individual feeding groups varied between subarctic and hemiboreal lakes, they shared overall similar functional attributes (richness, evenness, diversity) and redundancies of functions within and between the observed temporal scales. This highlights similar resilience characteristics in subarctic and hemiboreal lakes. Synthesis and applications. The effects of global change can be particularly strong at a single scale in ecosystems. Over time, this can cause monotonic change in communities and eventually lead to a loss of important ecosystem services upon reaching a critical threshold. Dynamics at other spatial or temporal scales can be unrelated to environmental change. The relative ‘intactness’ of these scales that are unaffected by global change and the persistence of functions at those scales may safeguard the whole system from the potential loss of functions at the scale at which global change impacts can be substantial. Thus, an understanding of scale‐specific processes provides managers with a realistic assessment of vulnerabilities and the relative resilience of ecosystems to environmental change. Explicit consideration of ‘intact’ and ‘affected’ scales in analyses of global change impacts provides opportunities to tailor more specific management plans.

Analysis and Prediction for Spatial Distribution of Functional Feeding Groups of Aquatic Insects in the Geum River

The aim of this study is to define a correlation between spatial distribution of functional feeding groups of aquatic insects and their habitat types in the Geum River based on the theory of River Continuum Concept (RCC). For that object we had classified habitat types of the study area according to various environmental factors and examined closely their distribution characteristics by correlation analysis between biota community and the environmental factors. And then, a probabilistic method named Frequency Ratio Model (FRM) and spatial analysis function of GIS were applied to produce a predictive distribution map of biota community considering their distribution characteristics according to the environmental factors as related variables. As a result, 6 major environmental factors that might affect the classification of habitat types were extracted. Finally, we had compared the predicted distribution map with prior survey database from other researches and then could find out a high correlation between them. The results of this study might be used to develop a new estimation method for aquatic ecosystem with functional feeding groups of aquatic insects and also be used as preliminary data for conservation and restoration of stream habitats.

Stream Macroinvertebrate Communities in Paired Hemlock and Deciduous Watersheds

Abstract Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) is a common forest species that is declining throughout its range in the eastern United States because of the invasion of an exotic forest pest, Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid). This pest kills infected trees, and over time, infected stands are replaced by deciduous forests. The conversion of forests from hemlock to deciduous species is predicted to impact the hydrology, chemistry, and biology of associated headwater streams. In this study, we examined the macroinvertebrate communities of two adjacent headwater streams with differing hemlock influence in central Massachusetts. Abundance, taxa richness, diversity, and unique taxa were generally greater in the deciduous stream. Differences in the distribution of functional feeding groups were observed: the hemlock stream had a greater percentage of collector-gatherers while the deciduous stream had a greater percentage of shredders and predators. These findings suggest that macroinvertebrate communities in...

Evaluation of Environmental Factors to Determine the Distribution of Functional Feeding Groups of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Using an Artificial Neural Network

Functional feeding groups (FFGs) of benthic macroinvertebrates are guilds of invertebrate taxa that obtain food in similar ways, regardless of their taxonomic affinities. They can represent a heterogeneous assemblage of benthic fauna and may indicate disturbances of their habitats. The proportion of different groups can change in response to disturbances that affect the food base of the system, thereby offering a means of assessing disruption of ecosystem functioning. In this study, we used benthic macroinvertebrate communities collected at 650 sites of 23 different water types in the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. Physical and chemical environmental factors were measured at each sampling site. Each taxon was assigned to its corresponding FFG based on its food resources. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) using a backpropagation algorithm, a supervised artificial neural network, was applied to evaluate the influence of environmental variables to the FFGs of benthic macroinvertebrates through a sensitivity analysis. In the evaluation of input variables, the sensitivity analysis with partial derivatives demonstrates the relative importance of influential environmental variables on the FFG, showing that different variables influence the FFG in various ways. Collector-filterers and shredders were mainly influenced by <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX> and width of the streams, and scrapers were influenced mostly with <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX> and depth, and predators were by depth and pH. <TEX>$Ca^{2+}$</TEX> and depth displayed relatively high influence on all four FFGs, while some variables such as pH, %gravel, %silt, and %bank affected specific groups. This approach can help to characterize community structure and to ecologically assess target ecosystems.

Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter and Macroinvertebrate Distribution in a Low-Order Apennine Stream

ABSTRACT We described the microdistribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in a 50 m riffle segment of the Rio del Giovo (Sassello, NW Italy) during a period of rapid loss of leaf mass, from March to May 2003. We analyzed the relationship between the taxonomic composition and functional organization of benthic communities and the availability of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM), as well as the influence of micro-environmental characteristics (water velocity, depth, and substratum). Patches without CPOM hosted specialized communities. The temporal variation of CPOM influenced the distribution of functional feeding groups in the riverbed. In particular, shredder assemblages were widespread in the riverbed when CPOM was abundant, but when this resource became scarce and localized, their density was related to the availability of allochthonous organic detritus.

Levels of Herbivory in Two Costa Rican Rain Forests: Implications for Studies of Fossil Herbivory

ABSTRACTWe measured changes in insect herbivore intensity and guild structure in two tropical forests of Costa Rica over a three‐year period. We estimated herbivory levels using discrete leaf litter samples to account for factors that influence the types of leaves most likely to be preserved in the fossil record. We found that leaf area removed by insect herbivores did not vary significantly between years within the two sampled forests, but differed across years between forests. The lack of variation in herbivore intensity within forests suggests that estimates of herbivore damage from fossil assemblages may reflect levels of herbivore intensity typically experienced by a given forest, at least over a short ecological timescale. The differences in herbivore intensity between similarly categorized forests suggest that simple one‐to‐one comparisons between fossil and modern sites can be problematic. The distribution of functional feeding groups also differed on an interannual basis both within and between forests. As guild structure can be highly variable, caution should be taken when comparing modern herbivore guild structures with those from fossil assemblages. Studies of herbivory in fossil assemblages have yielded much lower levels of damage than those found in this study as well as those measured from other modern forests. Leaf fossil preservation, environmental differences, and changes in plant–insect associations through time may account for these differences.RESUMENEn este estudio medimos durante un periodo de tres años los cambios en la intensidad de herbivoria y la estructura de la comunidad de insectos herbivoros en dos bosques tropicales en Costa Rica. Estimamos los niveles de herbivoria usando muestras discretas de hojarasca teniendo en cuenta los factores que influyen sobre el tipo de hojas que tienen una mayor probabilidad de ser preservadas en el registro fósil. El área de la hoja removida por insectos herbivoros no cambio significativamente entre años dentro de los bosques muestreados, pero era diferente entre años entre bosques. La falta de variación en la intensidad de herbivoria dentro de un mismo bosque, sugiere que la estimación del daño por herbivoria en las comunidades fósiles puede reflejar los niveles de intensidad de herbivoria que se presentan tipicamente en bosques actuales por lo menos en cortos periodos de tiempo ecológico. La diferencia en la intensidad de herbivoria entre bosques de categoria similar sugiere que las comparaciones simples uno a uno entre sitios fósiles y sitios modernos puede llegar a ser problemática. La distribución de grupos funcionales difieren año a año tanto entre como dentro de bosques. Ya que la estructura de la comunidad puede ser altamente variable, debe tenerse precaución al comparar las estructuras de la comunidad de herbivoros actuales con la comunidad fósil. Los estudios de herbivoria en comunidades fósiles han encontrado niveles de daño mucho menores que las encontradas en nuestro estudio al igual que en otras estudios en bosques actuales. La preservación de hojas fósiles, las diferencias en el ambiente y cambios en la asociación de plantas e insectos a través del tiempo pueden ser la causa de estas diferencias.

Levels of Herbivory in Two Costa Rican Rain Forests: Implications for Studies of Fossil Herbivory1

We measured changes in insect herbivore intensity and guild structure in two tropical forests of Costa Rica over a three-year period. We estimated herbivory levels using discrete leaf litter samples to account for factors that influence the types of leaves most likely to be preserved in the fossil record. We found that leaf area removed by insect herbivores did not vary significantly between years within the two sampled forests, but differed across years between forests. The lack of variation in herbivore intensity within forests suggests that estimates of herbivore damage from fossil assemblages may reflect levels of herbivore intensity typically experienced by a given forest, at least over a short ecological timescale. The differences in herbivore intensity between similarly categorized forests suggest that simple one-to-one comparisons between fossil and modern sites can be problematic. The distribution of functional feeding groups also differed on an interannual basis both within and between forests. As guild structure can be highly variable, caution should be taken when comparing modern herbivore guild structures with those from fossil assemblages. Studies of herbivory in fossil assemblages have yielded much lower levels of damage than those found in this study as well as those measured from other modern forests. Leaf fossil preservation, environmental differences, and changes in plant–insect associations through time may account for these differences.