Geographical range, heat tolerance and invasion success in aquatic species
07 Dec 2013-Proceedings of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (The Royal Society)-Vol. 280, Iss: 1772, pp 20131958-20131958
TL;DR: It is found that species introduced to freshwater systems have broader geographical ranges in comparison to native species, and introduced species are more heat tolerant than related native species collected from the same habitats.
Abstract: Species with broader geographical ranges are expected to be ecological generalists, while species with higher heat tolerances may be relatively competitive at more extreme and increasing temperatures. Thus, both traits are expected to relate to increased survival during transport to new regions of the globe, and once there, establishment and spread. Here, we explore these expectations using datasets of latitudinal range breadth and heat tolerance in freshwater and marine invertebrates and fishes. After accounting for the latitude and hemisphere of each species’ native range, we find that species introduced to freshwater systems have broader geographical ranges in comparison to native species. Moreover, introduced species are more heat tolerant than related native species collected from the same habitats. We further test for differences in range breadth and heat tolerance in relation to invasion success by comparing species that have established geographically restricted versus extensive introduced distributions. We find that geographical range size is positively related to invasion success in freshwater species only. However, heat tolerance is implicated as a trait correlated to widespread occurrence of introduced populations in both freshwater and marine systems. Our results emphasize the importance of formal risk assessments before moving heat tolerant species to novel locations.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated 50 years of observational data, from 1966 to 2015, for ten European lakes to quantify changes in the annual maximum surface temperature and the duration above a potentially critical temperature of 20°C.
Abstract: Annual maximum lake surface temperature influences ecosystem structure and function and, in particular, the rates of metabolic activities, species survival and biogeography. Here, we evaluated 50 years of observational data, from 1966 to 2015, for ten European lakes to quantify changes in the annual maximum surface temperature and the duration above a potentially critical temperature of 20 °C. Our results show that annual maximum lake surface temperature has increased at an average rate of +0.58 °C decade−1 (95% confidence interval 0.18), which is similar to the observed increase in annual maximum air temperature of +0.42 °C decade−1 (95% confidence interval 0.28) over the same period. Increments in lake maximum temperature among the ten lakes range from +0.1 in the west to +1.9 °C decade−1 in the east. Absolute maximum lake surface water temperatures were reached in Worthersee, 27.5 °C, and Neusiedler See, 31.7 °C. Periods exceeding a critical temperature of 20 °C each year became two to six times longer than the respective average (6 to 93). The depth at which water temperature exceeded 20 °C increased from less than 1 to more than 6 m in Mondsee, Austria, over the 50 years studied. As a consequence, the habitable environment became increasingly restricted for many organisms that are adapted to historic conditions.
24 citations
TL;DR: This paper developed a global dataset of ant thermal tolerances and geographic range size and latitudinal position and found that species with narrow thermal tolerance breadths had restricted, more equatorially positioned geographic ranges, suggesting tropical thermal specialists are at greater risk of extinction under climate change.
Abstract: Why do species exist some places but not others? This question arguably lies at the core of ecology and evolutionary biology, and a number of hypotheses have been put forward to explain the remarkable diversity in geographic range and distribution among species. The niche breadth hypothesis – that evolved increases in environmental tolerance permit larger geographic ranges than species with more narrow tolerances – is generally well-supported (Slatyer et al. 2013), but there are a number of limitations on how environmental tolerances are assessed and the spatial and taxonomic replication of these data. The question of whether there exist broad-scale taxonomic and geographic relationships between tolerance breadth and range size has become increasingly salient as the world experiences rapid changes in climate. Small-ranged species are frequently more prone to extinction under environmental perturbation (Purvis et al. 2000), and as a consequence may be more vulnerable to global climate change. Comparisons of tolerance breadth and range size can therefore yield important biological insights into the determinants of species ranges and their vulnerability to climate change. We developed a global dataset of ant thermal tolerances and geographic range size and latitudinal position and found that species with narrow thermal tolerance breadths had restricted, more equatorially positioned geographic ranges, suggesting tropical thermal specialists are at greater risk of extinction under climate change.
22 citations
TL;DR: A household survey and focus group discussions were carried out in this paper to document local people's perceptions on climate change in Kailali district of Nepal, where most respondents in the study area have perceived that temperature and fog are increased; and rainfall and hail are decreased with severe fluctuation.
Abstract: Correction: On 31/12/2015 the author's name Binala Gharti Magar was changed to Bimala Gharti Magar Perception and place-based studies give useful information on climate change in context of Nepal due to having its wide geographical, climatic, biological and cultural diversity. A household survey and focus group discussions were carried out in this study to document local people’s perceptions on climate change in Kailali district of Nepal. Most of respondents in the study area have perceived that temperature and fog are increased; and rainfall and hail are decreased with severe fluctuation. Trend of temperature supports local people’s perception. People have noticed impacts of these changes in vegetation, plant phenology and agriculture. Fundamentally, they have observed that certain plant species are decreasing, increasing and showing changes in flowering and fruiting time. This information could have significance for future research to identify climate change sensitive or indicator plants. International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 62-76
21 citations
Cites background from "Geographical range, heat tolerance ..."
...Invasive alien species can be introduced intentionally or unintentionally and they have wide range of capabilities to spread and colonize novel habitats, which includes fast growth, self-compatibility, many seeds, and general habitat requirements etc (Baker and Stebbins, 1965; Bates et al., 2013)....
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Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences1, Bogor Agricultural University2, University of Helsinki3, University of Rostock4, University of Mainz5, Federal Fluminense University6, University of Freiburg7, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences8, University of Tübingen9, Catholic University of the North10, University of Southampton11
TL;DR: The results suggest that heat challenges, which marine invertebrates experience during transport, can enhance stress tolerance in founder populations of these species in their non-native range by potentially increasing the frequency of genetically adapted genotypes.
Abstract: It is unclear whether transport by human vectors can increase the robustness of translocated populations and thereby enhance their invasiveness. To test this concept, we investigated the effect of heat stress on the tolerance of mussel populations towards a second stress event of the same kind. The heat challenges we mimicked can be faced by marine invertebrates that are transported through regions with high sea surface temperatures on ship hulls or in ballast water tanks. The study included 5 mussel species that were collected at sites in Brazil, Chile, Finland, Germany (Baltic Sea) and Portugal. In parallel laboratory experiments, monospecific groups of individuals were exposed to heat challenges that caused 60–83% mortality in the experimental groups within 15–28 days. The surviving individuals were exposed to a second stress event of the same kind, while their survival was then compared to the robustness of conspecifics that had not been exposed to elevated temperatures before. We observed that thermal tolerance was significantly enhanced by previous heat stress experience in case of Semimytilus algosus from Chile and in case of Mytilus edulis from Germany. Our results suggest that heat challenges, which marine invertebrates experience during transport, can enhance stress tolerance in founder populations of these species in their non-native range by potentially increasing the frequency of genetically adapted genotypes. This points at the necessity to learn more about selection acting on organisms during human-mediated transport—in the aquatic but also in the terrestrial environment.
20 citations
Cites background from "Geographical range, heat tolerance ..."
...…have reported that some nonnative species are more stress tolerant than taxonomically related native species with corresponding ecological roles (Schneider and Helmuth 2007; Zardi et al. 2007; Schneider 2008; Lenz et al. 2011; Zerebecki and Sorte 2011; Bates et al. 2013; Lejeusne et al. 2014)....
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...Previous studies have reported that some nonnative species are more stress tolerant than taxonomically related native species with corresponding ecological roles (Schneider and Helmuth 2007; Zardi et al. 2007; Schneider 2008; Lenz et al. 2011; Zerebecki and Sorte 2011; Bates et al. 2013; Lejeusne et al. 2014)....
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...…related and ecologically similar native species or species that have so far not been recognized as invaders (Schneider and Helmuth 2007; Zardi et al. 2007; Schneider 2008; Gröner et al. 2011; Lenz et al. 2011; Sareyka et al. 2011; Zerebecki and Sorte 2011; Bates et al. 2013; Lejeusne et al. 2014)....
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Book•
02 Jul 2020TL;DR: In this article, the authors present tools and approaches that can be deployed to help conserve freshwater biodiversity in a rapidly changing world, and offer the tools and techniques to save freshwater biodiversity.
Abstract: Growing human populations and higher demands for water impose increasing impacts and stresses upon freshwater biodiversity. Their combined effects have made these animals more endangered than their terrestrial and marine counterparts. Overuse and contamination of water, overexploitation and overfishing, introduction of alien species, and alteration of natural flow regimes have led to a 'great thinning' and declines in abundance of freshwater animals, a 'great shrinking' in body size with reductions in large species, and a 'great mixing' whereby the spread of introduced species has tended to homogenize previously dissimilar communities in different parts of the world. Climate change and warming temperatures will alter global water availability, and exacerbate the other threat factors. What conservation action is needed to halt or reverse these trends, and preserve freshwater biodiversity in a rapidly changing world? This book offers the tools and approaches that can be deployed to help conserve freshwater biodiversity.
20 citations
References
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TL;DR: Given their current scale, biotic invasions have taken their place alongside human-driven atmospheric and oceanic alterations as major agents of global change and left unchecked, they will influence these other forces in profound but still unpredictable ways.
Abstract: Biotic invaders are species that establish a new range in which they proliferate, spread, and persist to the detriment of the environment. They are the most important ecological outcomes from the unprecedented alterations in the distribution of the earth's biota brought about largely through human transport and commerce. In a world without borders, few if any areas remain sheltered from these im- migrations. The fate of immigrants is decidedly mixed. Few survive the hazards of chronic and stochastic forces, and only a small fraction become naturalized. In turn, some naturalized species do become invasive. There are several potential reasons why some immigrant species prosper: some escape from the constraints of their native predators or parasites; others are aided by human-caused disturbance that disrupts native communities. Ironically, many biotic invasions are apparently facilitated by cultivation and husbandry, unintentional actions that foster immigrant populations until they are self-perpetuating and uncontrollable. Whatever the cause, biotic invaders can in many cases inflict enormous environmental damage: (1) Animal invaders can cause extinctions of vulnerable native species through predation, grazing, competition, and habitat alteration. (2) Plant invaders can completely alter the fire regime, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and energy budgets in a native ecosystem and can greatly diminish the abundance or survival of native species. (3) In agriculture, the principal pests of temperate crops are nonindigenous, and the combined expenses of pest control and crop losses constitute an onerous "tax" on food, fiber, and forage production. (4) The global cost of virulent plant and animal diseases caused by parasites transported to new ranges and presented with susceptible new hosts is currently incalculable. Identifying future invaders and taking effective steps to prevent their dispersal and establishment con- stitutes an enormous challenge to both conservation and international commerce. Detection and management when exclusion fails have proved daunting for varied reasons: (1) Efforts to identify general attributes of future invaders have often been inconclusive. (2) Predicting susceptible locales for future invasions seems even more problematic, given the enormous differences in the rates of arrival among potential invaders. (3) Eradication of an established invader is rare, and control efforts vary enormously in their efficacy. Successful control, however, depends more on commitment and continuing diligence than on the efficacy of specific tools themselves. (4) Control of biotic invasions is most effective when it employs a long-term, ecosystem- wide strategy rather than a tactical approach focused on battling individual invaders. (5) Prevention of invasions is much less costly than post-entry control. Revamping national and international quarantine laws by adopting a "guilty until proven innocent" approach would be a productive first step. Failure to address the issue of biotic invasions could effectively result in severe global consequences, including wholesale loss of agricultural, forestry, and fishery resources in some regions, disruption of the ecological processes that supply natural services on which human enterprise depends, and the creation of homogeneous, impoverished ecosystems composed of cosmopolitan species. Given their current scale, biotic invasions have taken their place alongside human-driven atmospheric and oceanic alterations as major agents of global change. Left unchecked, they will influence these other forces in profound but still unpredictable ways.
6,195 citations
TL;DR: Active adaptive management and governance of resilience will be required to sustain desired ecosystem states and transform degraded ecosystems.
Abstract: ▪ Abstract We review the evidence of regime shifts in terrestrial and aquatic environments in relation to resilience of complex adaptive ecosystems and the functional roles of biological diversity in this context. The evidence reveals that the likelihood of regime shifts may increase when humans reduce resilience by such actions as removing response diversity, removing whole functional groups of species, or removing whole trophic levels; impacting on ecosystems via emissions of waste and pollutants and climate change; and altering the magnitude, frequency, and duration of disturbance regimes. The combined and often synergistic effects of those pressures can make ecosystems more vulnerable to changes that previously could be absorbed. As a consequence, ecosystems may suddenly shift from desired to less desired states in their capacity to generate ecosystem services. Active adaptive management and governance of resilience will be required to sustain desired ecosystem states and transform degraded ecosystems...
3,297 citations
"Geographical range, heat tolerance ..." refers background in this paper
...Introduced species have been implicated in causing biodiversity loss [4], regime shifts [5] and extinctions [6], all of which can impact human resources and economic activity [7]....
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TL;DR: Although restricted to few taxa, these studies reveal clear relationships between the characteristics of releases and the species involved, and the successful establishment and spread of invaders.
Abstract: Predicting which species are probable invaders has been a long-standing goal of ecologists, but only recently have quantitative methods been used to achieve such a goal. Although restricted to few taxa, these studies reveal clear relationships between the characteristics of releases and the species involved, and the successful establishment and spread of invaders. For example, the probability of bird establishment increases with the number of individuals released and the number of release events. Also, the probability of plant invasiveness increases if the species has a history of invasion and reproduces vegetatively. These promising quantitative approaches should be more widely applied to allow us to predict patterns of invading species more successfully.
2,698 citations
01 Jan 2009
2,607 citations
"Geographical range, heat tolerance ..." refers methods in this paper
...See http://CRAN.R-project. org/package=MuMIn....
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...The 80% confidence model set (table S3) was calculated with the package “MuMIn” [24] and the function model....
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...Bartoń K. 2009 MuMIn: Multi-model inference....
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...The 80% confidence model set (see electronic supplementary material, table S3) was calculated with the package ‘MuMIn’ [23] and the function model.avg....
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TL;DR: Studies of physiological mechanisms are needed to predict climate effects on ecosystems at species and community levels and to help scientists understand the drivers of climate change.
Abstract: Studies of physiological mechanisms are needed to predict climate effects on ecosystems at species and community levels.
2,055 citations