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Katya E. Kovalenko

Bio: Katya E. Kovalenko is an academic researcher from Natural Resources Research Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Macrophyte & Phytoplankton. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 32 publications receiving 1147 citations. Previous affiliations of Katya E. Kovalenko include University of Minnesota & Mississippi State University.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that complexity may be implicated in community persistence and ecosystem stability by acting as a decoupling mechanism in predator–prey interactions and potential application of these approaches for cross-ecosystem comparisons is discussed.
Abstract: Habitat complexity is one of the most important factors structuring biotic assemblages, yet we still lack basic understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Although it is one of the primary targets in conservation management, no methods are available for comparing complexity across ecosystems, and system-specific qualitative assessment predominates. Despite its overwhelming importance for faunal diversity and abundance, there has been surprisingly little interest in examining its effects on other community and ecosystem attributes. We discuss possibilities of such effects, outlining potentially fruitful areas for future research, and argue that complexity may be implicated in community persistence and ecosystem stability by acting as a decoupling mechanism in predator–prey interactions. We provide a brief overview of methods used to quantify complexity in different ecosystems, highlighting contributions of the current issue of Hydrobiologia, and discuss potential application of these approaches for cross-ecosystem comparisons. Better understanding of the role of habitat complexity resulting from such comparisons is critically important for preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function in an era of unprecedented habitat loss.

437 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Impacts of AIS, factors limiting their dispersal, and the role that humans play in transporting AIS are described, including those that pave the way for invasions by other species (“invasional meltdown”).
Abstract: Humans have effectively transported thousands of species around the globe and, with accelerated trade; the rate of introductions has increased over time. Aquatic ecosystems seem at particular risk from invasive species because of threats to biodiversity and human needs for water resources. Here, we review some known aspects of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and explore several new questions. We describe impacts of AIS, factors limiting their dispersal, and the role that humans play in transporting AIS. We also review the characteristics of species that should be the greatest threat for future invasions, including those that pave the way for invasions by other species (“invasional meltdown”). Susceptible aquatic communities, such as reservoirs, may serve as stepping stones for invasions of new landscapes. Some microbes disperse long distance, infect new hosts and grow in the external aquatic medium, a process that has consequences for human health. We also discuss the interaction between species invasions and other human impacts (climate change, landscape conversion), as well as the possible connection of invasions with regime shifts in lakes. Since many invaders become permanent features of the environment, we discuss how humans live with invasive species, and conclude with questions for future research.

339 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Space-size heterogeneity is a more important contributor to taxonomic richness than overall complexity and the other complexity attributes examined, which has implications for the use of this concept in habitat restoration by the enhancement of habitat structures.
Abstract: Habitat destruction is a leading cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. Destruction involving structural simplification tends to be a large contributing factor to this loss as many studies have reported a positive relationship between habitat complexity and taxonomic richness. However, the aspects of complexity that are most important for this relationship are still unclear. We tested whether several attributes of complexity contribute significantly to the effects of habitat complexity on macroinvertebrate richness. We sampled macroinvertebrates associated with several species of macrophytes covering a wide complexity gradient in freshwater coastal wetlands. Macrophyte complexity was quantified by measuring vertical and horizontal interstitial distances. Multiple regression was used to assess the relative importance of complexity attributes including the overall complexity as a space size/frequency index, space-size heterogeneity as the variation in space sizes, as well as the more commonly used macrophyte biomass, number of stems and the number of macrophyte species. Our results indicate that space-size heterogeneity is a more important contributor to taxonomic richness than overall complexity and the other complexity attributes examined. The results of this study have implications for the use of this concept in habitat restoration by the enhancement of habitat structures.

100 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This special issue of Hydrobiologia includes 31 papers on aquatic invasive species and the factors that influence their dispersal and success, along with their impacts.
Abstract: Invasion rates are increasing worldwide and most are due to the actions of humans. Deliberate introductions, escapes, and hitchhiking with global commerce transport species to other continents. While most species fail to thrive or have minor impacts on their new ecosystems, the large number of introductions has led to numerous problems. Aquatic invasive species are particularly pervasive and may cause food web disruption, biodiversity loss, and economic harm. Biological invasions appear in an increasing number of publications in the aquatic and general ecology literature. This special issue of Hydrobiologia includes 31 papers on aquatic invasive species and the factors that influence their dispersal and success, along with their impacts. Ecosystems include freshwater ponds, lakes and reservoirs, small streams and large rivers, and coastal marine systems. Study regions occur in temperate, as well as less-studied tropical and sub-tropical regions of four different continents. We discuss the dynamics of invasive species research in the current literature and provide a brief overview of the contributions to this issue.

75 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: It is argued that ecology is paramount to evaluating grass carp impacts and thorough understanding of these impacts is essential for the appropriate management of aquatic communities and advises a more cautious approach to developing guidelines for grass carp.
Abstract: The exotic grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) has been used for almost a half a century in the United States as a biological agent to control and manage aquatic plants. This long-lived generalist herbivore consumes large amounts of vegetation and can considerably alter habitat and impact aquatic communities. We conducted a literature review to determine whether previous studies adequately addressed ecological impacts of grass carp and their underlying mechanisms. Our goal was to identify strengths and limitations of ecological assessment in the literature and suggest a trajectory of future research. The review yielded 1,924 citations on grass carp; however, data on ecological interactions were limited, and most research emphasized the biology of grass carp or eradication of aquatic plants rather than ecological mechanisms responsible for ecosystem-wide impacts. Very few studies addressed effects on habitat complexity or community-structuring processes. We provide a comprehensive tabulated overview of feeding preferences and environmental impacts of grass carp. We argue that ecology is paramount to evaluating grass carp impacts and thorough understanding of these impacts is essential for the appropriate management of aquatic communities. Current knowledge is not sufficient to accurately predict long-term effects of grass carp on freshwater ecosystems. We advise a more cautious approach to developing guidelines for grass

65 citations


Cited by
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Book
01 Dec 2003
TL;DR: Twenty-four articles by biologists, ecologists, and other scientists represent a year's progress in the field of paleobiogeography, genetics and geographic structure, and time as an ecological resource are addressed.
Abstract: Twenty-four articles by biologists, ecologists, and other scientists represent a year's progress in the field. Among the topics addressed: the effects of introduced species, paleobiogeography, genetics and geographic structure, marine fisheries management, time as an ecological resource, genetic var

914 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that complexity may be implicated in community persistence and ecosystem stability by acting as a decoupling mechanism in predator–prey interactions and potential application of these approaches for cross-ecosystem comparisons is discussed.
Abstract: Habitat complexity is one of the most important factors structuring biotic assemblages, yet we still lack basic understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Although it is one of the primary targets in conservation management, no methods are available for comparing complexity across ecosystems, and system-specific qualitative assessment predominates. Despite its overwhelming importance for faunal diversity and abundance, there has been surprisingly little interest in examining its effects on other community and ecosystem attributes. We discuss possibilities of such effects, outlining potentially fruitful areas for future research, and argue that complexity may be implicated in community persistence and ecosystem stability by acting as a decoupling mechanism in predator–prey interactions. We provide a brief overview of methods used to quantify complexity in different ecosystems, highlighting contributions of the current issue of Hydrobiologia, and discuss potential application of these approaches for cross-ecosystem comparisons. Better understanding of the role of habitat complexity resulting from such comparisons is critically important for preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function in an era of unprecedented habitat loss.

437 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a group of conservation biologists deeply concerned about the decline of insect populations, reviewed what we know about the drivers of insect extinctions, their consequences, and how extinctions can negatively impact humanity.

392 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Impacts of AIS, factors limiting their dispersal, and the role that humans play in transporting AIS are described, including those that pave the way for invasions by other species (“invasional meltdown”).
Abstract: Humans have effectively transported thousands of species around the globe and, with accelerated trade; the rate of introductions has increased over time. Aquatic ecosystems seem at particular risk from invasive species because of threats to biodiversity and human needs for water resources. Here, we review some known aspects of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and explore several new questions. We describe impacts of AIS, factors limiting their dispersal, and the role that humans play in transporting AIS. We also review the characteristics of species that should be the greatest threat for future invasions, including those that pave the way for invasions by other species (“invasional meltdown”). Susceptible aquatic communities, such as reservoirs, may serve as stepping stones for invasions of new landscapes. Some microbes disperse long distance, infect new hosts and grow in the external aquatic medium, a process that has consequences for human health. We also discuss the interaction between species invasions and other human impacts (climate change, landscape conversion), as well as the possible connection of invasions with regime shifts in lakes. Since many invaders become permanent features of the environment, we discuss how humans live with invasive species, and conclude with questions for future research.

339 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Biodiversity patterns associated with kelp holdfasts, stipes and blades are examined, as well as the wider understorey habitat, and generality between kelp species and biogeographic regions are searched for.

321 citations