Ecosystem Ecology Research Articles

Ethnomathscience Identification of Traditional Weapons of Sigi Biromaru

This descriptive research uses an ethnographic approach to identify ethnomascience on parts of Sigi Biromaru's traditional weapons that can be used as media and innovation in learning mathematics and science/IPA. The results of literature reviews show that concepts in the fields of mathematical, science/IPA are found in parts of the traditional weapon described in the descriptions of the table. The results of the research show that the Kaliavo, Guma, and Doke shapes include triangular, square-long, quadrilateral, horizontal, hexadecimal, symmetrical, structural, quadrillary, and straight lines. On the other hand, physical concepts such as momentum, implosive, style, pressure, cultivation, tree morphology biology, tree anatomy, forest ecology, roles and cycles of carbon, forestry, plants, ecosystems, and human interaction with its natural environment, human development, ecological, technological, and cultural. Then ideas about chemistry, such as solid substances, chemical elements of iron and steel.

New biogeochemical insights into Mesozoic terrestrial paleoecology and evidence for omnivory in troodontid dinosaurs

The Cretaceous paleocommunities of North America preserve a rich record of biodiversity that suggests many species occupied narrow biogeographic ranges in comparison to their ecological equivalents in extant systems. How taxa in these systems partitioned their niches and structured their communities can be difficult to determine from fossils alone, which has led to a variety of hypotheses concerning diets and habitat use. Here, we examine element ratios (Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca) in the enamel of a suite of co-occurring vertebrate taxa sampled from a spatiotemporally constrained interval in the Oldman Formation of Alberta, Canada, to reconstruct trophic structure, and use δ13C, δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr compositions to test for niche partitioning and habitat use among hadrosaurids, ceratopsids, and ankylosaurs. We also test previously proposed dietary hypotheses of troodontid theropods. In large ornithischians, we find Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios that are consistent with herbivory, with hadrosaurs distinct from ceratopsids and ankylosaurids in their 87Sr/86Sr ranges, a pattern that is indicative of differences in habitat use/breadth, dietary plant sources, and feeding height. The sampled mammals, varanoid lizards, dromaeosaurids, and tyrannosaurids preserve a gradient of lower Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios that is consistent with animal-dominant omnivorous to faunivorous diets. Troodontids, which have been variably hypothesized as either faunivorous, omnivorous, or herbivorous due to their distinct and unusual dentition, preserve Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca ratios that fall between those of the ornithischians and the dromaeosaurids. From these multi-proxy data, we interpret troodontids as mixed-feeding to plant-dominant omnivores. These proxies represent a valuable tool for understanding the trophic and community ecology of Cretaceous ecosystems and hold enormous potential for future research in paleobiology.

Collaborative Use of Sensor Networks and Cyberinfrastructure to Understand Complex Ecosystem Interactions in a Tropical Rainforest: Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Collaborations between ecosystem ecologists and engineers have led to impressive progress in developing complex models of biogeochemical fluxes in response to global climate change. Ecology and engineering iteratively inform and transform each other in these efforts. Nested data streams from local sources, adjacent networks, and remote sensing sources together magnify the capacity of ecosystem ecologists to observe systems in near real-time and address questions at temporal and spatial scales that were previously unobtainable. We describe our research experiences working in a Costa Rican rainforest ecosystem with the challenges presented by constant high humidity, 4300 mm of annual rainfall, flooding, small invertebrates entering the tiniest openings, stinging insects, and venomous snakes. Over the past two decades, we faced multiple challenges and learned from our mistakes to develop a broad program of ecosystem research at multiple levels of integration. This program involved integrated networks of diverse sensors on a series of canopy towers linked to multiple belowground soil sensor arrays that could transport sensor data streams from the forest directly to an off-site location via a fiber optic cable. In our commentary, we highlight three components of our work: (1) the eddy flux measurements using canopy towers; (2) the soil sensor arrays for measuring the spatial and temporal patterns of CO2 and O2 fluxes at the soil-atmosphere interface; and (3) focused investigations of the ecosystem impact of leaf-cutter ants as "ecosystem engineers" on carbon fluxes.

Alpha species diversity measured by Shannon’s H-index: Some misunderstandings and underexplored traits, and its key role in exploring the trophodynamic stability of dynamic multiscapes

The spectrum of species diversity (SDi) can be broken down into αSDi (taxocene level), βSDi (community level), and γSDi (metacommunity level). Species richness (S) and Shannon’s index (H) are well-known SDi measures. The use of S as a surrogate for SDi often neglects evenness (J). Additionally, there is a wide variety of indicators of SDi. However, there are no reliable theoretical criteria for selecting the most appropriate SDi index despite the undeniable empirical usefulness of this parameter. This situation is probably due to the analytical gap still existing between SDi and trophodynamics. This article contributes to closing that gap by analyzing why S as a single surrogate for SDi is inconsistent from the trophodynamic point of view, so that an index combining S and J, such as H or HB (Brillouin’s index), are the most appropriate choices in the context of a new theoretical framework (organic biophysics of ecosystems, OBEC) based on the well-known classical links between ecosystem ecology and thermodynamics. Exploration of data from reef fish surveys under stationary and non-stationary conditions corroborated the existence of the ecological equivalent of Boltzmann’s constant (keτ(e)) at the worldwide scale. This result substantiates the usefulness of the ecological equivalent of the compressibility factor as an indicator of environmental impact. keτ(e) stablishes an analytical linkage between ecology, information theory, and statistical mechanics that allowed us to propose a new measure of total negative entropy (a.k.a. syntropy) per survey (SeτT) that is easy to calculate and displayed a highly significant correlation with total standing biomass per survey (meTs). According to the slope of the regression equation SeτT, meTs there is a large portion of SeτT that leaks into the environment and/or is captured by numerous ecological degrees of freedom independent of standing biomass. According to the changing value of the exponent of keτ(e), even among coexisting taxocenes, it would have been impossible to obtain the results discussed in this article if the analysis had been carried out at the βSDi or γSDi level. This establishes αSDi as the most appropriate level of analysis to obtain empirically useful results about the key functional connections on which trophodynamic stability depends in dynamic multispaces. The results summarized here are based on the careful selection and intertwining of a few key variables, which indicates the importance of developing models as simple as possible in order to achieve the reliability necessary for successful biological conservation.

Monitoring immediate post-fire vegetation dynamics of tropical mountain grasslands using phenocameras

The growing incidence of uncontrolled wildfires all over the globe has called for urgent close monitoring of fire events, awareness, prevention, and management approaches. Phenocameras, ground sensors for monitoring plant phenology by taking sequential RGB digital images, can be an accessible and accurate tool for identifying, monitoring, and analyzing fire events and vegetation recovery. Here, we evaluated the application of an RGB camera system as a methodological approach to monitor and assess the post-fire recovery of a tropical mountain grasslands, the Brazilian campo rupestre. Using camera-derived vegetation indices, we investigated the immediate post-fire regrowth, and short-term post-fire leafing among four vegetation types: wet grassland, peatbog, stony grassland, and rocky outcrop. We recorded significant variations in the post-fire recovery among the grassy vegetation types. The results indicated that fire represents an important driver of leafing dynamics by shortening the length of post-fire growing seasons. The phenological metric of growing season length (GSL) indicated a full post-fire ecosystem recovery in the third year after the fire. The green-up index represented well the dynamics of post-fire vegetation regrowth and recovery across the landscape. Phenocameras rapidly detected fire occurrence and post-fire vegetation responses across vegetation types, demonstrating their significant application in the fire ecology of grassy ecosystems. The accessible, low-cost, and easy-to-setup camera system allows the application of near-remote phenology as a monitoring system and an indicator of vegetation recovery, which may improve restoration and management plans, promoting the conservation of the highly diverse campo rupestre grassland ecosystems.

Welcome to the (urban) jungle: notes on new science, biological evolution in cities

The city – a modern jungle, where not cellulose and photosynthesis but concrete and combustion reign supreme. The question now being asked by urban planners, governments, and scientists is if it may stay like that and if it can stay like that or if it has to stay like that. Social, economic, cultural, historical, and legal factors are determinants in the ecology of urban ecosystems. Even well-managed cities are usually hostile toward non-human inhabitants. Furthermore, as with any complex system, the equilibrium is fragile, even if it exists. This publication outlines the co-evolution and ecology of humans and other species in the cities, their importance, and perspectives.

Micro- and Nano-Plastics Contaminants in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Toxicity, Detection, Remediation, and Sustainable Perspectives

The continuous production and widespread applications of synthetic plastics and their waste present immense environmental challenges and damage living systems. Microplastics (MPs) have become of great concern in various ecosystems due to their high stability and decomposition into smaller fragments such as nano-plastics (NPs). Nevertheless, MPs and NPs can be removed from the environment using several physical, chemical, and microbiological methods. This study presents a comprehensive narrative literature review, which aims to explore the various types of MPs and NPs, their sources, fate, toxicity, and impact on human health and environment. To achieve this aim, the study employed a comprehensive literature review methodology. In addition, it summarizes various methods of sample collection and analysis techniques. Remediation strategies for MPs and NPs removal are assessed and compared. Furthermore, it highlights interlinkages between the sustainable development goals (SDGs)—specifically SDG 14—and plastic pollution. Overall, priority for research and development in the field of MPs and NPs impacts on ecological ecosystems is a must as this will enable the development of scientific polices driven by global collaboration and governance which in turn will develop tools and methodologies that measure the impacts and risk of plastic pollution.

Transforming Trash into Treasure Troves: SMEs Co-Create Industrial Ecology Ecosystems with Government

Industrial ecology addresses newer business models that improve flows of energy, water, and materials, mimicking interconnections found in natural systems. Businesses can function interdependently to extend the life cycle of resources by setting up systems to repurpose waste or transfer a byproduct of manufacturing as an input for creating another product. Although the extant literature focuses on the role of businesses in closed-loop processes, governments can catalyse sustainable entrepreneurship to transition to a circular economy. There is a limited understanding of how public–private partnerships can facilitate this shift in small and medium enterprises. Multiple case studies were conducted to examine industrial ecology projects that were spearheaded by a state grant scheme in Australia. The long-term progress in establishing initiatives across commercial and industrial projects was monitored. The findings show government incentives to start up projects facilitate conditions to develop technology and other capabilities for responsible production and consumption. This study extends the theory of innovation ecosystems into practice. The model demonstrates that sustainable value for business and society can be realized through financial support and collaboration that enables entrepreneurship and drives circularity across cities and regions.

Катодолюминесценция конодонтовых элементов

Conodont elements are used as a geochemical archive of seawater. Some compositional features of conodont elements reflect conodont ecology and trophic structure of Palaeozoic pelagic ecosystems. However, the screening of conodont elements prior to geochemical and/or isotopic studies is a real problem. This study evaluates SEM cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL), which is very sensitive to the REE and Mn content of apatite, for the detection of traces of secondary transformation in the composition of conodont bioapatite. The SEM-CL of conodont elements is similar to that of unaltered shark teeth (blue-violet), but differs significantly from that of fossil vertebrate teeth (orange-red). Thermal alteration has little effect on the SEM-CL. Elements with a CAI of 1—1.5 show a redder and more intense CL than elements with a CAI of 5. In the case of corrosion of the conodont element surface in carbonate host rocks, the CL of the outer parts of the conodont element become reddish due to invasion of the carbonate material. Conodont elements from the clay host rock show deep purple SEM-CL. Thus, SEM-CL allows detection of the results of secondary processes in conodont mineralised tissues, including enrichment by REE and/or Mn, corrosion and contamination by carbonate material. This method can be used to screen significantly altered samples prior to chemical and isotopic analyses.

Lake plastisphere as a new biotope in the Anthropocene: Potential pathogen colonization and distinct microbial functionality

The not-homogenous microplastics (MPs) distribution in freshwaters results in distinct microbial communities. Yet knowledge regarding plastisphere in metabolic pathways and element cycling behaviors remains limited. In this study, we collected MPs from 15 sampling sites in the Taihu Lake in China, and found that MPs were widely distributed in this freshwater lake, and dominantly composed of fibrous polyethylene terephthalate. Based on the metagenomic analysis, we found that MPs were colonized by Bacteroidia, Alpha-Proteobacteria, and Bacilli as a filter, but depleted in Verrucomicrobiae. Potential pathogens of plant eudicots and monocots were significantly enriched in plastisphere. Predicted functional profiles involved in the metabolism of other amino acids, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism were overrepresented in plastisphere. Regarding elemental cycling, functional genes related to nitrogen fixation and nitrification showed 39.6% and 67.5% decline in plastisphere, whereas the genes involved in denitrification and nitrate reduction were significantly enriched. For sulfur cycles, the plastisphere exhibited higher sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation system activities. Additionally, the taxonomic compositions and predicted functions in the plastispheres were mainly driven by the stochastic processes, while the deterministic processes were more important for the planktonic communities. The distinctions in the microbial composition, the predicted functionality, and the underly mechanisms between plastisphere and planktonic communities illustrated the unique ecology of the new anthropogenic-related plastisphere ecosystems.

Исследование влияния климатических факторов на скорость разложения лесной подстилки

The decomposition of the litter changes its indicators under the influence of climatic changes. Taking into account the impact of this process on the global carbon cycle, the decomposition process is a feedback affecting future climate change. The special role of the litter decomposition process in the overall carbon cycle on a regional and global scale determines the importance of studying the regularity of the influence of climatic parameters on the rate of decomposition of forest litter. Known approaches to solving this problem are based on a probabilistic analysis of the relationship between climatic factors. It is indicated that the task of determining the relationship between temperature and soil moisture when assessing their joint impact on the decomposition rate of forest litter can be formulated in a slightly different way. From the point of view of the ecology of the forest ecosystem, the following statement of the problem is no less interesting: under what relationship of these factors can the decomposition rate reach extreme values? The author proposes a representation of the problem being solved in the form of an extreme problem, taking into account some restrictive conditions imposed on the desired function of the relationship between temperature and soil moisture. The proposed new approach to solving the problem of the influence of climatic factors such as soil temperature and humidity, which consists of calculating the conditions leading to an extremum of the decomposition rate of forest litter, allows us to determine the function of the relationship between these factors and the point at which the decomposition rate reaches a peak. The solution to the problem allowed us to calculate the optimal type of the studied relationship, at which the rate of decomposition of the forest litter reaches an extreme. The results of the study can be used in modeling the processes of the influence of climatic factors on the overall carbon cycle of the forest ecosystem

Hydrochemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems in influence zones of mineral fertilizers production

Hydrochemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems in influence zones of mineral fertilizers production

Lake morphology as an important constraint for benthic diatoms in temperate, humic forest ponds

Small lakes are among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Their protection is of crucial importance since they support an unusually high biodiversity relative to their size. The present study aimed at selecting the main drivers, especially the role of the morphological variables, shaping benthic diatom communities in unique, but rarely investigated forest pond ecosystems in the temperate region, using traditional (species-based methods and diversity indices) and novel approaches (trait-based methods and functional diversity indices) of diatom ecology. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of the environmental (temperature, conductivity, colour, shading, pH, nutrient forms, anions) and morphological (surface area, depth) variables of 70 temperate, forest ponds located in two regions of Hungary on the composition (species- and trait-based) and diversity (traditional and functional) of their benthic diatom communities. Based on the multivariate analyses, no regional differences in the environmental and morphological variables were been observed among the ponds. Our results showed that both environmental variables and lake morphology had significant effects on the benthic diatom communities, but they contributed to their variation with different proportions. Environmental variables such as nutrient content (rsoluble reactive phosphate = 0.72) and conductivity (r = 0.65) affected mostly the species composition, and the traditional diversity metrics (rtotal phoshate = −0.42, rconductivity = −0.54). In contrast, morphological features of the ponds were the most important drivers of diatom trait composition. This functional response of diatoms manifested in the selection of species according to their size, shape and lifeforms, moreover, in changing of functional diversity. Overall, this study revealed the complex interplay between environmental variables and lake morphology in shaping the composition of benthic diatom communities. Furthermore, it highlights the necessity to apply different methods to understand the ecology and functioning of these special aquatic ecosystems.

Cladophora as ecological engineer: A new test from the largest lake of Qinghai-Tibet plateau with filamentous algal blooms

Filamentous algae blooms (FABs) have been increasing globally in recent years, and their presence can have both harmful and beneficial effects on aquatic ecosystems. As one of the most common FABs, Cladophora blooms have been reported in the lakes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the past few years. However, there have been few studies focused on how FABs impact other aquatic organisms, especially in alpine lakes since these are at the forefront of responding to global climate change. In this study, the phytoplankton communities in different regions of Qinghai Lake were profiled in different seasons using meta-barcode sequencing. The phytoplankton assemblages in areas with Cladophora blooms were compared to those without Cladophora. The phytoplankton community structure correlated with physicochemical properties including water temperature, electrical conductivity, nitrate, and the presence or absence of Cladophora blooms. The relative abundance of Bacillariophytes was found to be higher in zones with Cladophora blooms than in other regions. Significant seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass and β diversity were observed in zones with Cladophora blooms. Growth and microbial degradation of Cladophora can change the pH, dissolved oxygen, secchi depth, and nitrate. Together with seasonal temperature and electrical conductivity changes, Cladophora growth can significantly impact the phytoplankton biomass, community dissimilarity and assembly process. These results showed that Cladophora plays a key role in littoral aquatic ecosystem ecology.

The Rationale for Sulforaphane Favourably Influencing Gut Homeostasis and Gut-Organ Dysfunction: A Clinician's Hypothesis.

Given the increasing scientific, clinical and consumer interest in highly prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders, appropriate therapeutic strategies are needed to address the many aspects of digestive dysfunction. Accumulating evidence for the crucifer-derived bioactive molecule sulforaphane in upstream cellular defence mechanisms highlights its potential as a therapeutic candidate in targeting functional gastrointestinal conditions, as well as systemic disorders. This article catalogues the evolution of and rationale for a hypothesis that multifunctional sulforaphane can be utilised as the initial step in restoring the ecology of the gut ecosystem; it can do this primarily by targeting the functions of intestinal epithelial cells. A growing body of work has identified the colonocyte as the driver of dysbiosis, such that targeting gut epithelial function could provide an alternative to targeting the microbes themselves for the remediation of microbial dysbiosis. The hypothesis discussed herein has evolved over several years and is supported by case studies showing the application of sulforaphane in gastrointestinal disorders, related food intolerance, and several systemic conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the effects of sulforaphane have been reported in a clinical environment, with several of its key properties within the gut ecosystem appearing to be related to its nutrigenomic effects on gene expression.

Assessment of the Ecological Condition of Informal Settlements Using the Settlement Surface Ecological Index

To manage urban ecological ecosystems adequately, understanding the urban areas’ biophysical characteristics is required. This study developed a settlement surface ecological index (SSEI) using tree, soil, impervious surface and grass covers, land surface temperature (LST), and soil moisture derived from Satellite Pour L’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 7 and Landsat 8 satellite images. The assessment of the SSEI was conducted over twelve sites of 300 m by 300 m. The selected sites contained formal and informal settlements of varying building densities. The SSEI values ranged from −0.3 to 0.54. Seven assessed areas are in the worst ecological condition with an SSEI below zero. Only three settlement types had an SSEI index value of 0.2 and above, and two of these areas were informal settlements. The formal low-density settlement with higher tree coverage displayed the highest index value of 0.54, slightly higher than the medium-density informal settlement. Overall, there is no significant difference in the SSEI values between the surface ecological condition of formal and informal settlements. The results achieved in this study can be used to understand urban ecology better and develop urban greening strategies at a city or settlement level.

Understanding amphidromy in Hawai'i: 'O'opu nākea (Awaous stamineus).

Hawai'i is home to 'o'opu nākea (Awaous stamineus), a culturally significant, endemic, goby that exhibits an amphidromous life cycle characterized by a marine larval stage followed by post-larval recruitment to streams, where they live to become reproductive adults. However, it was recently suggested that their migration to the ocean might not be obligatory, as originally thought. Despite their importance in Hawaiian traditions and the ecology of Hawaiian freshwater ecosystems, we still lack a full understanding of their migratory patterns and life history due to the difficulties in determining the environmental migratory cues that set the timing and location of their migratory paths. This study examined environmental factors, such as mean annual rainfall, streamflow, and water chemistry, to determine if they play a role in whether A. stamineus spend their larval period in the ocean or their entire life cycle in freshwater streams. We sampled A. stamineus (n = 90) from three streams (Kahana, Kahalu'u, and Waimānalo) on the island of O'ahu, Hawai'i that represented the range of hydroclimatic gradient in wet-habitat conditions on the windward side of the island and characterized their migratory pattern using elemental analysis of sagittae, the largest pair of otoliths (calcareous ear structures). Based on otolith strontium:calcium and barium:calcium ratios, we determined if individuals spent their larval period in the ocean or the stream. We found that 100% of individuals displayed clear evidence of marine residence during their larval phase, regardless of the environmental factors the fish experienced. This study highlights the necessity of stream-ocean connectivity for the survival of A. stamineus and emphasizes the importance of stream-mouth conservation and management as it is a critical transition zone in stream-ocean-stream migratory pathways.

Short-term response of benthic foraminifera to fine-sediment depositional events simulated in microcosm

Abstract. A microcosm experiment was designed to describe how benthic foraminifera react to fine-sediment deposits varying in frequency and intensity as they may occur regularly or occasionally in coastal benthic environments, caused by discharges from (e.g.) river flooding, tidewater glacier melting in polar regions, or diverse anthropic activities linked to harbour or watershed management. The influence of seabed burial resulting from these events on the ecology of benthic ecosystems is often overlooked, and the resilience of benthic communities is poorly known. During a 51 d long experiment, a typical northeastern Atlantic intertidal foraminiferal community, mainly represented by Ammonia confertitesta and Haynesina germanica species, was subjected to two kinds of sedimentary disturbance: (1) a one-time high-volume (OHV) deposit, i.e. sediment about 3 cm thick was added at one time at the beginning of the experiment; and (2) frequent low-volume (FLV) deposits, i.e. sediment about 0.5 cm thick was added each week for 4 weeks. The geochemical environment (e.g. dissolved oxygen penetration in the sediment, salinity, temperature, and nutrient content in the supernatant water) was monitored to follow the microcosm steady state before and during the experiment. In both disturbed microcosms, H. germanica showed a significant linear decrease in abundance during the experiment, while the total abundance of foraminifera was significantly affected only by the OHV treatment, suggesting a stronger effect of a single thick deposit on standing stocks and biodiversity compared to frequent low-volume sediment supplies. Concerning the vertical migration of foraminifera after sedimentary disturbances, the two dominant species moved upwards to the water–sediment interface with migration speeds estimated to be 0.41 and 0.47 mm h−1 respectively for A. confertitesta and H. germanica. In the FLV treatment, the resilient state was already reached within 1 d following a low-thickness burial, while in the OHV, it was achieved between 1 and 7 d after the 3 cm thick deposit. These results suggest that foraminifera can migrate rapidly after a sedimentary burial to recover their preferential life position under the new sediment–water interface, but in the case of an abrupt thick burial, several days are needed to reach a resilient state.

‘If you wanted to take this model and throw nitrogen at it, it would fit’: synthesis approach to modelling to learn about biogeochemical cycles

ABSTRACT The literature on scientific modelling practices in science education has provided a fruitful discussion on how learners tend to view models vs. how and what they should think about them. One approach is to teach students that models are abstractions so that they do not view them as a copy of phenomena they represent. Although teaching students that models are abstractions is a successful strategy in modelling instruction, we still do not know how students engage in and work towards the process of abstraction while they develop a model to understand scientific ideas. This qualitative study examines how a group of undergraduate and graduate students in an upper-level ecosystem ecology course at a research university in the southeastern part of the United States engage in a task that requires constructing an abstract representation of how biogeochemical cycles work by using a specific approach to modelling, namely synthesis modelling. Data corpus entailed paired interviews with ten students and their artefacts. The findings centred upon four episodes regarding how students engage in abstraction through a synthesis approach to modelling as they make sense of the system of biogeochemical cycles: working with surface similarities, abstracting ideas, abstracting structures, and checking on model-source fit.

Indicator species reveal the physical and biological singularity of esker ecosystems

Eskers are complex geological formations shaped with a linear accumulation of sand and gravel under the glaciers during the last ice age and that provide crucial resources such as drinking water, sand/gravel, outdoor recreational sites, and productive forests. Surrounding sand and gravel and connection with the groundwater influences the physicochemical properties of lakes on esker which can benefit different biotic communities in the food web. The sustainable management of resources provided by eskers requires baseline ecological knowledge of these ecosystems. However, very little information exists about the ecology of freshwater ecosystems on eskers. This study uses a food web approach to identify the environmental variables, biological diversity, and indicator species associated with esker lakes to better understand their ecological functioning and biodiversity patterns to benefit their sustainable management and conservation. Fifty lakes were sampled in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region (Canada), half on eskers and half on the surrounding boreal clay belt to include the most abundant lake ecosystems of the region. Physicochemical, environmental, and anthropogenic variables measured in the two lake types showed that esker lakes differed markedly from clay lakes. Nutrient concentrations, conductivity, and macrophyte cover were significantly lower in esker lakes than in clay lakes, whereas dissolved oxygen saturation and concentration showed the opposite trend. Three interconnected trophic levels of the esker lake food webs—waterbird, fish, and macroinvertebrate communities—were characterized for biological diversity and the associated species. We found a significantly lower Shannon diversity index for waterbirds (mean ± standard deviation; 0.7 ± 0.2), fish (0.4 ± 0.3), and a tendency for a lower value for macroinvertebrates (0.9 ± 0.3) in esker lakes than the clay lakes (1.1 ± 0.4, 0.9 ± 0.3, and 1.3 ± 0.5, respectively). Common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Canada goose (Bucephala clangula) were associated significantly with esker lakes and identified as indicator species for esker lakes. In contrast, ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) and hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) were associated significantly with clay lakes. Perlidae was similarly associated with esker lakes as an indicator for macroinvertebrates. Anthropogenic activities such as forest harvesting have altered the waterbird community, and recreational activities around the lakes have modified the fish and macroinvertebrate communities. We conclude that esker lakes differ from other regional lakes and are associated with specific environmental and biological variables and indicator species. The biological diversity in esker lakes is lower than that of clay lakes for all studied trophic levels of the food web, but these waterbodies provide preferential habitats for some species. This research provides the first baseline ecological information necessary to establish sustainable management and conservation strategies for this vulnerable ecosystem.