Planktonic functional diversity changes in synchrony with lake ecosystem state

Managing ecosystems to effectively preserve function and services requires reliable tools that can infer changes in the stability and dynamics of a system. Conceptually, functional diversity (FD) appears as a sensitive and viable monitoring metric stemming from suggestions that FD is a universally important measure of biodiversity and has a mechanistic influence on ecological processes. It is however unclear whether changes in FD consistently occur prior to state responses or vice versa, with no current work on the temporal relationship between FD and state to support a transition towards trait-based indicators. There is consequently a knowledge gap regarding when functioning changes relative to biodiversity change and where FD change falls in that sequence. We therefore examine the lagged relationship between planktonic FD and abundance-based metrics of system state (e.g. biomass) across five highly monitored lake communities using both correlation and cutting edge non-linear empirical dynamic modelling approaches. Overall, phytoplankton and zooplankton FD display synchrony with lake state but each lake is idiosyncratic in the strength of relationship. It is therefore unlikely that changes in plankton FD are identifiable before changes in more easily collected abundance metrics. These results highlight the power of empirical dynamic modelling in disentangling time lagged relationships in complex multivariate ecosystems, but suggest that FD cannot be generically viable as an early indicator. Individual lakes therefore require consideration of their specific context and any interpretation of FD across systems requires caution. However, FD still retains value as an alternative state measure or a trait representation of biodiversity when considered at the system level

Context-dependent interactions and the regulation of species richness in freshwater fish

Species richness is regulated by a complex network of scale-dependent processes. This complexity can obscure the influence of limiting species interactions,

The extent and variability of storm-induced temperature changes in lakes measured with long-term and high-frequency data

The intensity and frequency of storms are projected to increase in many regions of the world because of climate change. Storms can alter environmental conditions in many ecosystems. In lakes and reservoirs, storms can reduce epilimnetic temperatures from wind-induced mixing with colder hypolimnetic waters, direct precipitation to the lake's surface, and watershed runoff. We analyzed 18 long-term and high-frequency lake datasets from 11 countries to assess the magnitude of wind- vs. rainstorm-induced changes in epilimnetic temperature. We found small day-to-day epilimnetic temperature decreases in response to strong wind and heavy rain during stratified conditions. Day-to-day epilimnetic temperature decreased, on average, by 0.28 degrees C during the strongest windstorms (storm mean daily wind speed among lakes: 6.7 +/- 2.7 m s(-1), 1 SD) and by 0.15 degrees C after the heaviest rainstorms (storm mean daily rainfall: 21.3 +/- 9.0 mm). The largest decreases in epilimnetic temperature were observed >= 2 d after sustained strong wind or heavy rain (top 5(th) percentile of wind and rain events for each lake) in shallow and medium-depth lakes. The smallest decreases occurred in deep lakes. Epilimnetic temperature change from windstorms, but not rainstorms, was negatively correlated with maximum lake depth. However, even the largest storm-induced mean epilimnetic temperature decreases were typicallyPeer reviewe

Storm impacts on phytoplankton community dynamics in lakes

In many regions across the globe, extreme weather events such as storms have increased in frequency, intensity, and duration due to climate change. Ecological theory predicts that such extreme events should have large impacts on ecosystem structure and function. High winds and precipitation associated with storms can affect lakes via short-term runoff events from watersheds and physical mixing of the water column. In addition, lakes connected to rivers and streams will also experience flushing due to high flow rates. Although we have a well-developed understanding of how wind and precipitation events can alter lake physical processes and some aspects of biogeochemical cycling, our mechanistic understanding of the emergent responses of phytoplankton communities is poor. Here we provide a comprehensive synthesis that identifies how storms interact with lake and watershed attributes and their antecedent conditions to generate changes in lake physical and chemical environments. Such changes can restructure phytoplankton communities and their dynamics, as well as result in altered ecological function (e.g., carbon, nutrient and energy cycling) in the short- and long-term. We summarize the current understanding of storm-induced phytoplankton dynamics, identify knowledge gaps with a systematic review of the literature, and suggest future research directions across a gradient of lake types and environmental conditions.Peer reviewe

Storm impacts on phytoplankton community dynamics in lakes

In many regions across the globe, extreme weather events, such as storms, have increased in frequency, intensity and duration. Ecological theory predicts that such extreme events should have large impacts on ecosystem structure and function. For lake ecosystems, high winds and rainfall associated with storms are linked by short term runoff events from catchments and physical mixing of the water column. Although we have a well-developed understanding of how such wind and precipitation events alter lake physical processes, our mechanistic understanding of how these short-term disturbances 48 translate from physical forcing to changes in phytoplankton communities is poor. Here, we provide a conceptual model that identifies how key storm features (i.e., the frequency, intensity, and duration of wind and precipitation) interact with attributes of lakes and their watersheds to generate changes in a lake’s physical and chemical environment and subsequently phytoplankton community structure and dynamics. We summarize the current understanding of storm-phytoplankton dynamics, identify knowledge gaps with a systematic review of the literature, and suggest future research directions by generating testable hypotheses across a global gradient of lake types and environmental conditions.Fil: Stockwell, Jason D.. University of Vermont; Estados UnidosFil: Adrian, Rita. Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; AlemaniaFil: Andersen, Mikkel. Dundalk Institute of Technology; IrlandaFil: Anneville, Orlane. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; FranciaFil: Bhattacharya, Ruchi. University of Missouri; Estados UnidosFil: Burns, Wilton G.. University of Vermont; Estados UnidosFil: Carey, Cayelan C.. Virginia Tech University; Estados UnidosFil: Carvalho, Laurence. Freshwater Restoration & Sustainability Group; Reino UnidoFil: Chang, ChunWei. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: De Senerpont Domis, Lisette N.. Netherlands Institute of Ecology; Países BajosFil: Doubek, Jonathan P.. University of Vermont; Estados UnidosFil: Dur, Gaël. Shizuoka University; JapónFil: Frassl, Marieke A.. Griffith University; AustraliaFil: Gessner, Mark O.. Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; AlemaniaFil: Hejzlar, Josef. Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences; República ChecaFil: Ibelings, Bas W.. University of Geneva; SuizaFil: Janatian, Nasim. Estonian University of Life Sciences; EstoniaFil: Kpodonu, Alfred T. N. K.. City University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Lajeunesse, Marc J.. University of South Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Lewandowska, Aleksandra M.. Tvarminne Zoological Station; FinlandiaFil: Llames, Maria Eugenia del Rosario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Matsuzaki, Shin-ichiro S.. National Institute for Environmental Studies; JapónFil: Nodine, Emily R.. Rollins College; Estados UnidosFil: Nõges, Peeter. Estonian University of Life Sciences; EstoniaFil: Park, Ho-Dong. Shinshu University; JapónFil: Patil, Vijay P.. US Geological Survey; Estados UnidosFil: Pomati, Francesco. Swiss Federal Institute of Water Science and Technology; SuizaFil: Rimmer, Alon. Kinneret Limnological Laboratory; IsraelFil: Rinke, Karsten. Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research; AlemaniaFil: Rudstam, Lars G.. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Rusak, James A.. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change; CanadáFil: Salmaso, Nico. Research and Innovation Centre - Fondazione Mach; ItaliaFil: Schmitt, François. Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences; FranciaFil: Seltmann, Christian T.. Dundalk Institute of Technology; IrlandaFil: Souissi, Sami. Universite Lille; FranciaFil: Straile, Dietmar. University of Konstanz; AlemaniaFil: Thackeray, Stephen J.. Lancaster Environment Centre; Reino UnidoFil: Thiery, Wim. Vrije Unviversiteit Brussel; Bélgica. Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science; SuizaFil: Urrutia Cordero, Pablo. Uppsala University; SueciaFil: Venail, Patrick. Universidad de Ginebra; SuizaFil: Verburg, Piet. 8National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; Nueva ZelandaFil: Williamson, Tanner J.. Miami University; Estados UnidosFil: Wilson, Harriet L.. Dundalk Institute of Technology; IrlandaFil: Zohary, Tamar. Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research; IsraelGLEON 20: All Hands' MeetingRottnest IslandAustraliaUniversity of Western AustraliaUniversity of AdelaideGlobal Lake Ecological Observatory Networ

Causal networks of phytoplankton diversity and biomass are modulated by environmental context

Untangling causal links and feedbacks among biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and environmental factors is challenging due to their complex and context-dependent interactions (e.g., a nutrient-dependent relationship between diversity and biomass). Consequently, studies that only consider separable, unidirectional effects can produce divergent conclusions and equivocal ecological implications. To address this complexity, we use empirical dynamic modeling to assemble causal networks for 19 natural aquatic ecosystems (N24◦~N58◦) and quantified strengths of feedbacks among phytoplankton diversity, phytoplankton biomass, and environmental factors. Through a cross-system comparison, we identify macroecological patterns; in more diverse, oligotrophic ecosystems, biodiversity effects are more important than environmental effects (nutrients and temperature) as drivers of biomass. Furthermore, feedback strengths vary with productivity. In warm, productive systems, strong nitrate-mediated feedbacks usually prevail, whereas there are strong, phosphate-mediated feedbacks in cold, less productive systems. Our findings, based on recovered feedbacks, highlight the importance of a network view in future ecosystem management

Slaughter weight rather than sex affects carcass cuts and tissue composition of Bisaro pigs

Carcass cuts and tissue composition were assessed in Bisaro pigs (n=64) from two sexes (31 gilts and 33 entire males) reared until three target slaughter body-weights (BW) means: 17 kg, 32 kg, and 79 kg. Dressing percentage and backfat thickness increased whereas carcass shrinkage decreased with increasing BW. Slaughter weight affected most of the carcass cut proportions, except shoulder and thoracic regions. Bone proportion decreased linearly with increasing slaughter BW, while intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots increased concomitantly. Slaughter weight increased the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportion but this impaired intramuscular and intermuscular adipose tissues in the loin primal. The sex of the pigs minimally affected the carcass composition, as only the belly weight and the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportions were greater in gilts than in entire males. Light pigs regardless of sex are recommended to balance the trade-offs between carcass cuts and their non-edible compositional outcomes.Work included in the Portuguese PRODER research Project BISOPORC – Pork extensive production of Bísara breed, in two alternative systems: fattening on concentrate vs chesnut, Project PRODER SI I&DT Medida 4.1 “Cooperação para a Inovação”. The authors are grateful to Laboratory of Carcass and Meat Quality of Agriculture School of Polytechnic Institute of Bragança ‘Cantinho do Alfredo’. The authors are members of the MARCARNE network, funded by CYTED (ref. 116RT0503).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation

A global agenda for advancing freshwater biodiversity research

Global freshwater biodiversity is declining dramatically, and meeting the challenges of this crisis requires bold goals and the mobilisation of substantial resources. While the reasons are varied, investments in both research and conservation of freshwater biodiversity lag far behind those in the terrestrial and marine realms. Inspired by a global consultation, we identify 15 pressing priority needs, grouped into five research areas, in an effort to support informed stewardship of freshwater biodiversity. The proposed agenda aims to advance freshwater biodiversity research globally as a critical step in improving coordinated actions towards its sustainable management and conservation.Peer reviewe

Widespread deoxygenation of temperate lakes

The concentration of dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems helps to regulate biodiversity, nutrient biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, and the quality of drinking water. The long-term declines in dissolved oxygen concentrations in coastal and ocean waters have been linked to climate warming and human activity, but little is known about the changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations in lakes. Although the solubility of dissolved oxygen decreases with increasing water temperatures, long-term lake trajectories are difficult to predict. Oxygen losses in warming lakes may be amplified by enhanced decomposition and stronger thermal stratification8,9 or oxygen may increase as a result of enhanced primary production. Here we analyse a combined total of 45,148 dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles and calculate trends for 393 temperate lakes that span 1941 to 2017. We find that a decline in dissolved oxygen is widespread in surface and deep-water habitats. The decline in surface waters is primarily associated with reduced solubility under warmer water temperatures, although dissolved oxygen in surface waters increased in a subset of highly productive warming lakes, probably owing to increasing production of phytoplankton. By contrast, the decline in deep waters is associated with stronger thermal stratification and loss of water clarity, but not with changes in gas solubility. Our results suggest that climate change and declining water clarity have altered the physical and chemical environment of lakes. Declines in dissolved oxygen in freshwater are 2.75 to 9.3 times greater than observed in the world’s oceans and could threaten essential lake ecosystem services