Reservoirs promote the taxonomic homogenization of fish communities within river basins
TL;DR: It is concluded that reservoirs promote taxonomic homogenization at multiple spatial scales, while the community-level effects of species introductions and local extinctions within river basins have been sparsely analyzed.
Abstract: Most studies analyzing patterns in biotic homogenization of fish communities have used large-scale approaches, while the community-level effects of species introductions and local extinctions within river basins have been sparsely analyzed. In this article, we examine patterns in freshwater fish α- and β-diversity in relation to the presence of reservoirs in a Mediterranean river (Guadiana river; Iberian Peninsula). We used fish samples from 182 river localities and 59 reservoir ones to address two main questions: (i) do reservoirs favor the establishment of invasive fish species?; and (ii) do reservoirs bear taxonomically homogenized fish communities? Although total species richness was not different between rivers and reservoirs, the latter had more invasive species and less native ones. Fish species found in reservoirs tended to be larger ones, but invasive species of any size showed higher preferences for reservoirs. Native species that were rare or absent in reservoirs were those that showed higher sensitivity to invasive species in rivers. Reservoir fish communities were taxonomically homogenized in relation to river ones, both when considering all fish species and using only natives or only invasive ones. Our results suggest that invasive species occupying reservoirs constitute an ecological filter excluding most native species from such systems. Invasive species in the study area are often widely introduced elsewhere, while native species found in reservoirs are congeneric and ecologically similar to those found in other Iberian studies. Thus, we conclude that reservoirs promote taxonomic homogenization at multiple spatial scales, while could also be promoting the functional homogenization of Iberian fish communities.
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Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University1, University of Georgia2, Museum of Northern Arizona3, Department of Planning and Environment4, University of New South Wales5, Finnish Environment Institute6, University of British Columbia7, University of Parma8, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic9, University of L'Aquila10, Masaryk University11, University of Waikato12, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje13, Ain Shams University14
TL;DR: In this article, the main biodiversity patterns and ecological features, human impacts on the system and environmental issues, and discuss ways to use this information to improve stewardship are identified, and the authors consider all main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater habitas (fwh).
Abstract: In this overview (introductory article to a special issue including 14 papers), we consider all main types of natural and artificial inland freshwater habitas (fwh). For each type, we identify the main biodiversity patterns and ecological features, human impacts on the system and environmental issues, and discuss ways to use this information to improve stewardship. Examples of selected key biodiversity/ecological features (habitat type): narrow endemics, sensitive (groundwater and GDEs); crenobionts, LIHRes (springs); unidirectional flow, nutrient spiraling (streams); naturally turbid, floodplains, large-bodied species (large rivers); depth-variation in benthic communities (lakes); endemism and diversity (ancient lakes); threatened, sensitive species (oxbow lakes, SWE); diverse, reduced littoral (reservoirs); cold-adapted species (Boreal and Arctic fwh); endemism, depauperate (Antarctic fwh); flood pulse, intermittent wetlands, biggest river basins (tropical fwh); variable hydrologic regime—periods of drying, flash floods (arid-climate fwh). Selected impacts: eutrophication and other pollution, hydrologic modifications, overexploitation, habitat destruction, invasive species, salinization. Climate change is a threat multiplier, and it is important to quantify resistance, resilience, and recovery to assess the strategic role of the different types of freshwater ecosystems and their value for biodiversity conservation. Effective conservation solutions are dependent on an understanding of connectivity between different freshwater ecosystems (including related terrestrial, coastal and marine systems).
181 citations
Cites background from "Reservoirs promote the taxonomic ho..."
...It has been clearly shown that reservoirs harbour more invasive species than natural lakes and rivers in the same areas [322,323]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified research related to the refuge potential of a wide range of waterbodies, using waterbody names as keywords along with ‘artificial’ and ‘freshwater’.
181 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the literature on the effects of land use changes on mediterranean river ecosystems (med-rivers) to provide a foundation and directions for future research on catchment management during times of rapid human population growth and climate change.
Abstract: We reviewed the literature on the effects of land use changes on mediterranean river ecosystems (med-rivers) to provide a foundation and directions for future research on catchment management during times of rapid human population growth and climate change. Seasonal human demand for water in mediterranean climate regions (med-regions) is high, leading to intense competition for water with riverine communities often containing many endemic species. The responses of river communities to human alterations of land use, vegetation, hydrological, and hydrochemical conditions are similar in mediterranean and other climatic regions. High variation in hydrological regimes in med-regions, however, tends to exacerbate the magnitude of these responses. For example, land use changes promote longer dry season flows, concentrating contaminants, allowing the accumulation of detritus, algae, and plants, and fostering higher temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen levels, all of which may extirpate sensitive native species. Exotic species often thrive in med-rivers altered by human activity, further homogenizing river communities worldwide. We recommend that future research rigorously evaluate the effects of management and restoration practices on river ecosystems, delineate the cause–effect pathways leading from human perturbations to stream biological communities, and incorporate analyses of the effects of scale, land use heterogeneity, and high temporal hydrological variability on stream communities.
158 citations
Cites background from "Reservoirs promote the taxonomic ho..."
...Although fish faunas in the med-regions of the world were originally distinctive, there is increasing homogenization as native species dwindle and introduced species become widespread and dominant (Clavero & Garcı́a-Berthou, 2006; Marr et al., 2010; Clavero & Hermoso, 2011; Hermoso et al., 2012)....
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...…the timing, magnitude, and frequency of downstream flows have been changed, and species have been transported to non-native habitats, often reducing native species and facilitating the establishment and expansion of exotic species (Marchetti et al., 2004, 2006; Clavero & Hermoso, 2011; Fig....
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116 citations
TL;DR: Temporal comparisons of the fishes support the hypothesis that biotic homogenization occurred at the interbasin scale, whereas the biotic differentiation was observed at the intrabasin scale, and decrease in species richness serves as the variable that best explained changes in biological diversity.
Abstract: Non-native species introduced into reservoirs cause major changes in biodiversity, resulting in spatial and temporal biotic homogenization and/or differentiation. We used a sampling standardized temporally and spatially in reservoirs of basins located in the Neotropics, the Coastal, Iguacu, and Upper Parana basins. Our analyses were conducted at the interbasin and intrabasin scales, aimed at: (i) identifying the non-native species and their major vectors of introductions, (ii) assessing temporal and spatial changes in the fish assemblages, and (iii) evaluating temporal changes in the beta diversity of the basins/reservoirs. The spatial occupation of non-native species was variable, with Tilapia
rendalli, Cyprinus carpio and Oreochromis niloticus the most frequently introduced species. This highlights aquaculture as the main vector of invasives on a large spatial scale. The percentage of non-native species at the interbasin and intrabasin scales increased over time. Temporal comparisons of the fishes support the hypothesis that biotic homogenization occurred at the interbasin scale, whereas the biotic differentiation was observed at the intrabasin scale. Beta diversity decreased over time at the interbasin and intrabasin scales, with decrease in species richness serving as the variable that best explained changes in biological diversity. There was no relation between beta diversity and time for the Iguacu.
91 citations
Cites background from "Reservoirs promote the taxonomic ho..."
...Moreover, these species have been associated with the homogenization of fish faunas in North America (Rahel, 2000, 2007), Iberian Peninsula (Clavero & Garcı́a-Berthou, 2006; Clavero & Hermoso, 2011), and Brazil (Petesse & Petrere Jr., 2012; Vitule et al., 2012)....
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References
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TL;DR: In this article, Naiman et al. pointed out that harnessing of streams and rivers comes at great cost: Many rivers no longer support socially valued native species or sustain healthy ecosystems that provide important goods and services.
Abstract: H umans have long been fascinated by the dynamism of free-flowing waters. Yet we have expended great effort to tame rivers for transportation, water supply, flood control, agriculture, and power generation. It is now recognized that harnessing of streams and rivers comes at great cost: Many rivers no longer support socially valued native species or sustain healthy ecosystems that provide important goods and services (Naiman et al. 1995, NRC 1992).
5,799 citations
TL;DR: A global overview of dam-based impacts on large river systems shows that over half (172 out of 292) are affected by dams, including the eight most biogeographically diverse catchments, which can be used to identify ecological risks associated with further impacts onLarge river systems.
Abstract: A global overview of dam-based impacts on large river systems shows that over half (172 out of 292) are affected by dams, including the eight most biogeographically diverse. Dam-impacted catchments experience higher irrigation pressure and about 25 times more economic activity per unit of water than do unaffected catchments. In view of projected changes in climate and water resource use, these findings can be used to identify ecological risks associated with further impacts on large river systems.
2,986 citations
"Reservoirs promote the taxonomic ho..." refers background in this paper
...…alterations of freshwater environments, dam construction is one of the most widely distributed across the globe, causing alterations of the natural flow regimes, fragmentation of fluvial networks, and large-scale disruption of sediment transport (Poff et al. 1997; Nilsson et al. 2005)....
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TL;DR: Emerging evidence shows that most species are declining and are being replaced by a much smaller number of expanding species that thrive in human-altered environments, leading to a more homogenized biosphere with lower diversity at regional and global scales.
Abstract: Human activities are not random in their negative and positive impacts on biotas. Emerging evidence shows that most species are declining as a result of human activities ('losers') and are being replaced by a much smaller number of expanding species that thrive in human-altered environments ('winners'). The result will be a more homogenized biosphere with lower diversity at regional and global scales. Recent data also indicate that the many losers and few winners tend to be non-randomly distributed among higher taxa and ecological groups, enhancing homogenization.
2,283 citations
"Reservoirs promote the taxonomic ho..." refers background in this paper
...…the variations of a-diversity (i.e., species richness) were the main focus of studies dealing with invasions and extinctions until the seminal paper of McKinney and Lockwood (1999) revealed that these processes could be also reducing the biologic distinctiveness of communities (i.e., b-diversity)....
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...The same invasive fish species [the few ‘winners’ after McKinney and Lockwood (1999) ] are repeatedly introduced and become established within the Guadiana basin, in the Iberian Peninsula and in many areas of the world....
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...The same invasive fish species [the few ‘winners’ after McKinney and Lockwood (1999)] are repeatedly introduced and become established within the Guadiana basin, in the Iberian Peninsula and in many areas of the world....
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...These patterns in the variations of a-diversity (i.e., species richness) were the main focus of studies dealing with invasions and extinctions until the seminal paper of McKinney and Lockwood (1999) revealed that these processes could be also reducing the biologic distinctiveness of communities (i.e., b-diversity)....
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Book•
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: This reference work covering 546 native and 33 introduced species is a very important contribution on the biodiversity of freshwater fish species in Europe.
Abstract: This reference work covering 546 native and 33 introduced species is a very important contribution on the biodiversity of freshwater fish species in Europe. Much of the information presented is drawn from original research conducted over 8 years in 24 European countries. This document includes: key to genera and species; diagnoses for all species; methods for identification; habitat, biology and ecology; native, extirpated and introduced distribution; conservation status, validated through IUCN procedures; up-to-date taxonomy and nomenclature, with modern methods and concepts; and more than 870 bibliographic references.
1,428 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: Here, the authors set out strategies for dealing with the problem of non-indigenous species entering into habitats because of the breakdown of long-established biogeographic barriers.
Abstract: Here, the authors set out strategies for dealing with the problem of non-indigenous species entering into habitats because of the breakdown of long-established biogeographic barriers. This is just one of the unfavourable aspects of globalised commerce.
1,270 citations