Fonctionnement des étangs en réponse aux stress et perturbations d’origine anthropique : diversité, structure et dynamique des communautés végétales

One important issue of research in Ecology is to understand how anthropogenic activities are influencing biodiversity and what are the consequences on ecosystem functioning. The aim of the study is to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms governing aquatic plant communities, particularly those related to human disturbance and eutrophication. Meta-ecosystems constituted by networks of fish-farming shallow lakes are study models adapted to our problematic because they are submitted to a strong anthropogenic pressure and because they show a high environmental variability. First, we studied the impact of watershed management practices on shallow lakes eutrophication. In a second step, we measured eutrophication effect on productivity and on diversity of phytoplankton communities. Finally, we were able to link 3 types of constraints generated by human practices (eutrophication, drying and connectivity between shallow lakes) to aquatic plant communities in terms of specific and functional diversity. The impact of eutrophication, recruitment and establishment of aquatic plant communities has been approached through the relationship between the seed bank and established vegetation. Eutrophication is the major factor responsible for the loss of plant biodiversity in shallow lakes. However frequent disturbances due to drying events induce a cyclic succession that helps maintain a high biodiversity.Un des enjeux importants de l’écologie est de comprendre comment les pratiques anthropiques affectent la biodiversité et quelles en sont les conséquences sur le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’améliorer la compréhension des mécanismes régissant les communautés végétales aquatiques, et plus particulièrement ceux liés aux perturbations anthropiques et aux phénomènes d’eutrophisation. Les méta-écosystèmes constitués de réseaux d’étangs agro-piscicoles sont des modèles d’étude adaptés à notre problématique car ils sont sous forte pression anthropique et présentent une forte variabilité environnementale. Dans un premier temps, nous avons étudié l’impact des modes de gestion des bassins versants sur l’eutrophisation des étangs. Dans un second temps, nous avons mesuré l’effet de l’eutrophisation sur la productivité et la diversité des communautés phytoplanctoniques. Enfin, nous avons relié 3 types de contraintes générées par les pratiques anthropiques (l’eutrophisation, l’assèchement et la connectivité entre les étangs) sur les communautés de plantes aquatiques en termes de diversité spécifique et fonctionnelle. L’effet de l’eutrophisation, le recrutement et l'établissement des communautés des plantes aquatiques a été abordé au travers de la relation entre la banque de graines et la végétation établie. L’eutrophisation est le facteur majeur responsable de la diminution de la biodiversité végétale dans les étangs. Cependant les perturbations récurrentes constituées par les assecs, engendrent une succession cyclique qui contribue à maintenir une forte biodiversité dans les étangs

Functioning of shallow lakes in response to anthropogenic stress and disturbances : diversity, organization and dynamic of vegetation

Un des enjeux importants de l’écologie est de comprendre comment les pratiques anthropiques affectent la biodiversité et quelles en sont les conséquences sur le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’améliorer la compréhension des mécanismes régissant les communautés végétales aquatiques, et plus particulièrement ceux liés aux perturbations anthropiques et aux phénomènes d’eutrophisation. Les méta-écosystèmes constitués de réseaux d’étangs agro-piscicoles sont des modèles d’étude adaptés à notre problématique car ils sont sous forte pression anthropique et présentent une forte variabilité environnementale. Dans un premier temps, nous avons étudié l’impact des modes de gestion des bassins versants sur l’eutrophisation des étangs. Dans un second temps, nous avons mesuré l’effet de l’eutrophisation sur la productivité et la diversité des communautés phytoplanctoniques. Enfin, nous avons relié 3 types de contraintes générées par les pratiques anthropiques (l’eutrophisation, l’assèchement et la connectivité entre les étangs) sur les communautés de plantes aquatiques en termes de diversité spécifique et fonctionnelle. L’effet de l’eutrophisation, le recrutement et l'établissement des communautés des plantes aquatiques a été abordé au travers de la relation entre la banque de graines et la végétation établie. L’eutrophisation est le facteur majeur responsable de la diminution de la biodiversité végétale dans les étangs. Cependant les perturbations récurrentes constituées par les assecs, engendrent une succession cyclique qui contribue à maintenir une forte biodiversité dans les étangs.One important issue of research in Ecology is to understand how anthropogenic activities are influencing biodiversity and what are the consequences on ecosystem functioning. The aim of the study is to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms governing aquatic plant communities, particularly those related to human disturbance and eutrophication. Meta-ecosystems constituted by networks of fish-farming shallow lakes are study models adapted to our problematic because they are submitted to a strong anthropogenic pressure and because they show a high environmental variability. First, we studied the impact of watershed management practices on shallow lakes eutrophication. In a second step, we measured eutrophication effect on productivity and on diversity of phytoplankton communities. Finally, we were able to link 3 types of constraints generated by human practices (eutrophication, drying and connectivity between shallow lakes) to aquatic plant communities in terms of specific and functional diversity. The impact of eutrophication, recruitment and establishment of aquatic plant communities has been approached through the relationship between the seed bank and established vegetation. Eutrophication is the major factor responsible for the loss of plant biodiversity in shallow lakes. However frequent disturbances due to drying events induce a cyclic succession that helps maintain a high biodiversity

13. Formes d'adaptation des plantes aux milieux aquatiques

Aucun organisme ne peut tolérer toute l'étendue des conditions écologiques existantes sur la Terre et la sélection naturelle a induit diverses adaptations aux contraintes environnementales. Les formes d’adaptations sont définies comme les caractéristiques d'un organisme qui permettent une augmentation de la survie ou de la reproduction dans son environnement. Ces adaptations peuvent concerner des caractères anatomiques, des processus physiologiques et des mécanismes comportementaux. La présen..

13. Formes d'adaptation des plantes aux milieux aquatiques

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Mining co-variation patterns from ecological data: a process to aid the construction and validation of computer models

International audienceThis paper presents the use of a data mining algorithm to extract co-variation patterns from ecological data. The system of interest is a network of shallow fish-ponds in the region of the Dombes, in France, from which we gathered more than 4 years of measures. These data were analysed and the extracted patterns were structured in a hypergraph that allowed us to infer the most pertinent parameters from which construct a dynamical model of a major vegetation/plakton relationship

Climate change and the biodiversity of alpine ponds: Challenges and perspectives

International audienceAbstract Inland waters are among the most threatened biodiversity hotspots. Ponds located in alpine areas are experiencing more rapid and dramatic water temperature increases than any other biome. Despite their prevalence, alpine ponds and their biodiversity responses to climate change have been poorly explored, reflecting their small size and difficult access. To understand the effects of climate change on alpine pond biodiversity, we performed a comprehensive literature review for papers published since 1955. Through analysis of their geographic distribution, environmental features, and biodiversity values, we identified which environmental factors related to climate change would have direct or indirect effects on alpine pond biodiversity. We then synthesized this information to produce a conceptual model of the effects of climate change on alpine pond biodiversity. Increased water temperature, reduced hydroperiod, and loss of connectivity between alpine ponds were the main drivers of biodiversity geographic distribution, leading to predictable changes in spatial patterns of biodiversity. We identified three major research gaps that, if addressed, can guide conservation and restoration strategies for alpine ponds biodiversity in an uncertain future

Carbon allocation in aquatic plants with contrasting strategies: the role of habitat nutrient content

International audienceQuestions: The link between the carbon composition of aquatic plants and (1) plant strategies and (2) habitat nutrient availability has received little attention. We tested whether three aquatic species belonging to the three adaptive strate- gies defined by Grime (ruderal, stress tolerant and competitive) had contrasting carbon allocation patterns, and if these patterns varied in the same way between populations distributed along a gradient of habitat nutrient content.Location: Wetlands in the northern Rho^ne River Basin, France.Methods: The three species were sampled in 17 wetlands along a gradient of nutrient content in the northern Rho^ne River Basin. In each population sam- pled, we measured plant water content, C/N ratio, structural compounds (lignin and structural polysaccharides) and storage compounds (free sugars and starch) in two seasons (spring and autumn 2012).Results: The stress-tolerant species had higher content of structural compounds than the competitive and ruderal species. The content of storage compounds was higher in the competitive and stress-tolerant species compared to the ruder- al species. Allocation of carbon compounds varied with habitat nutrient content in different ways for the three species, suggesting contrasting plasticities, possi- bly linked to plant strategy.Conclusion: Plant strategies and habitat nutrient content are likely key drivers in plant carbon allocation and should be taken into account when studying interactions between habitat and plant quality

Short-term succession of aquatic plant species richness along ecosystem productivity and dispersal gradients in shallow lakes

International audienceQuestions: The highest species richness is usually expected at an intermediate stage of development since the last major disturbance event, but some studies have shown that ecosystem productivity and dispersal may modify this pattern, suggesting the need for further studies on the effects of productivity and dispersal on the dynamics of species richness through succession. In this study, we analy- sed aquatic plant species richness in relation to (1) succession stage, measured as numbers of years since the last disturbance that affected the ecosystems; (2) lake productivity, measured as the chlorophyll a concentration; and (3) connectivity to similar nearby ecosystems, a proxy for the potential input of diaspores. Location: Shallow lakes of the Dombes region, France. Methods: Every 5-7 yr these shallow lakes are emptied and left to dry out for 1 yr. These drought disturbances lead to complete destruction of the submerged aquatic plant communities. Sixty lakes arranged along a gradient of productivity were selected. The probability of diaspore input was considered to increase from upstream to downstream, as lakes are organized in hydrologically connected net- works via ditches, through which the downstream lakes receive water from the upstream lakes. For each lake, the aquatic plant species richness (from systematic summer vegetation sampling), time since the last disturbance (last summer dry- ing), productivity (estimated as chlorophyll a concentration) and probability of diaspore input (assessed from position in the network) were recorded. Results: The aquatic plant species richness decreased with the time since the last disturbance for all of the lakes, but there was a significant interaction with the chlorophyll a concentration and position of the lake in the network. At the lowest ecosystem productivities, the relationship between successional stage and species richness was hump-shaped, whereas the species richness decreased with increas- ing time since the last disturbance when productivity increased. The lake's posi- tion in the network did not influence species richness during the first 2 yr after disturbance, but from year 3 and thereafter, lakes connected to high numbers of upstream lakes consistently exhibited decreased richness, contradicting the expected trend of increasing species richness with increasing diaspore inputs. Conclusions: This study indicates that both ecosystem productivity and con- nectivity strongly affected the relationship between aquatic plant species rich- ness and succession, and that these factors should be taken into account in further developments of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis