Search

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the scientific literature on aquatic ecosystem services. We used the Web of Science database for our research. We found a total of 1,367 articles, with 837 papers that studied ecosystem services provided through the interaction between terrestrial and aquatic environments (terrestrial–aquatic papers) and 530 papers relating only to aquatic environments. Despite the growing number of articles, there is still less research on aquatic environments compared to terrestrial environments. We found a correlation between types of services and taxonomic groups, such that supporting ecosystem services were investigated using mainly macroinvertebrate, microorganisms and aquatic macrophytes communities, while provisioning and cultural ecosystem services were frequently studied with fishes. The analysis of keywords revealed that there was a temporal shift in the terms studied, and some words presented a higher frequency in aquatic research. Nonetheless, other words appeared in aquatic and terrestrial–aquatic studies with similar frequencies. The trends and biases detected in the present paper can help us to understand the role of aquatic biodiversity in ecosystem services more fully in the future as well as assist in the creation of strategies for future studies on the conservation of these services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We respond to comments made in the opinion paper by Ainley et al. (Hydrobiologia, 10.1007/s10750-015-2607-4, ) regarding our recent publication on the biology, ecology and life history of Antarctic toothfish ( Dissostichus mawsoni) in the Ross Sea region. We focus in particular on the spatial and temporal extent of data collected from the fishery; results of research to date on changes in abundance and size of Antarctic toothfish at McMurdo Sound; and the subject of neutral buoyancy and inferences about vertical distribution. We conclude by re-iterating the need for well-designed, standardised research programmes to address remaining uncertainties in its life history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioassessment to evaluate stream integrity and determine changes related to point-source discharges is typically focused in wadeable streams, with limited understanding of seasonal and annual variation. We used a multi-year (n = 13), multi-site (n = 5–7), seasonally (spring and fall) sampled dataset to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns in diatom assemblages relative to measured environmental variables, land use, and pulp and paper mill discharges in a wadeable stream (Codorus Creek, PA) and three non-wadeable rivers (Leaf River, MS; McKenzie and Willamette rivers, OR). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and permutational ANOVA (PERMANOVA) showed that significant spatial differences in commonly used diatom biotic integrity/diagnostic metrics and assemblage structure were common in the wadeable stream, but rare in the non-wadeable rivers. Season-specific diatom patterns were observed in all streams regardless of size, but annual variation was more prevalent in the non-wadeable rivers. Environmental variables explained 35–58% of the variability in diatoms in the spring and 33–50% in the fall, with physical habitat characteristics associated with stream morphology and seasonality more important than those associated with anthropogenic inputs such as land use and point sources. Findings from this study highlight the value of spatially and temporally comprehensive datasets in understanding and interpreting diatom assemblage patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth one focused on the microbiome of an ostracod (Arthropoda, Crustacea) species, reporting that it was different from the known microbiomes of other freshwater ostracods, but had large variability even among ostracod individuals from the same population. Guest editors: Isa Schön, Diego Fontaneto & Elena L. Peredo / Aquatic Microbiomes The holobiont approach (Bosch & Miller, [2]) in the study of animal ecology places strong emphasis on the strict association between the animals and their microbes, which are beneficial for the host's survival and fitness (Cornwallis et al., [3]). The other paper compared the hindgut microbiome of two fish (Chordata, Actinopterygii) species in an African lake showing that the two fish species had different diets, but not different microbiomes. [Extracted from the article]

Due to an error during the production process, the incorrect handling editor was displayed in the original publication. The handling editor mentioned in the original paper works at the same department as some of the authors, and he concluded that this might constitute a conflict of interest. The paper was therefore handled by one of the associate editors in chief. The correct footnote is published here and should be treated as definitive: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptation to different ecological niches is considered one of the main drivers of species diversification, also in cryptic species complexes, notwithstanding their morphological stasis. We here review all the published information on ecological differentiation within cryptic species complexes within the phylum Rotifera. We found 177 instances of cryptic species identified genetically, published in 101 papers. Only a subset of the papers contained available information on ecological differences and only for two of the 54 known complexes, namely Brachionus calyciflorus s.l. and Brachionus plicatilis s.l., sufficient data were available for analyses of ecological differences. For the B. calyciflorus complex, B. fernandoi consistently occurred at a significantly lower temperature than the other species in the complex; no differences were found for other environmental variables. For the B. plicatilis complex, B. paranguensis occurred in waters with higher pH than the other species; no differences were found for other environmental variables. These results, even if preliminary and based on scattered information, reveal that adaptation to different ecological niches exists also between closely related species. Our aim is to showcase this interesting field of research spurring further detailed studies to focus on the mechanisms of ecological speciation using rotifer cryptic species as a model system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polysaccharide (SFP) extracted from the brown alga Sargassum fusiforme (Harv.) Setch. was purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A50 and Sephadex G-100. Studies using paper chromatography (PC), electrophoresis and infrared spectroscopy (IR) indicated that SFP was a kind of alginate with a molecular weight of 16 000 and a molar ratio of mannuronic acid (M) to guluronic acid (G) of 2.75. Pharmacological experiments showed that SFP could markedly decrease the content of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum of experimental hyperlipidemic rats, and significantly increase the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding upon large animals—even larger than the predator—by benthic cnidarians has been reported from many ecosystems but never exhaustively studied to date. By reviewing 38 papers on this topic, this review aims to recap the observations on the predatory behaviour of polyps, to establish feeding plasticity boundaries and to understand the contribute of this trophic strategy to the benthic–pelagic coupling. The reviewed documents published increasingly during the last two decades mostly reported observations on heterotrophic Anthozoa in shallow ecosystems collected through photo/video records. The main prey items are represented by gelatinous zooplankton and echinoderms. The lexical discordance in the considered papers highlights the need to standardize the terminology to describe the feeding behaviour of benthic Cnidaria, opportunistic and characterized by a strong plasticity. Given the importance of large prey in cnidarian trophism, we proposed an unambiguous terminology that will help the online search of literature and address future studies. We suggest identifying micro-predation (predator/prey size ratio ≥ 5:1) and macro-predation (predator/prey size ratio is ≤ 1:1) as distinct feeding modalities, because the capture of large prey involves peculiar movements of polyps, such as stretching and retracting of column and tentacles to pull the prey towards the mouth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and connecting the impact of anthropogenic activities on mangrove food webs is a research challenge. Has research on the subject been able to find answers using stable isotopes? The present opinion paper analyzed the utility of stable isotopes in tracing the impact of anthropogenic activities on mangrove food webs and if the research questions raised could be answered using these chemical markers. Representative research papers (16) focused on the use of stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, δ2H, δD,206Pb/207Pb, and 208Pb/207Pb) to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic activities (Sewage discharge, timber harvesting–deforestation, metallurgical activities, hydrological disruption, aquaculture ponds, and urban development) on mangrove food webs were selected. Each article included at least one group of consumers (invertebrate or fish). Publications only focused on water quality or primary producers were not included. Most studies managed to determine the effect of the anthropogenic activities on the food web's stable isotope values. Based on the above, we concluded that these markers are an effective tool to determine affectation patterns on the structure and function of mangrove food webs. The results obtained herein facilitate the correct management of mangroves and their derived resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a preface to a special issue of the journal Hydrobiologia on the topic of stream ecology and environmental gradients. The preface explains that human activities have fragmented natural landscapes, leading to changes in environmental gradients and a decline in biodiversity. The document highlights the importance of understanding the effects of environmental gradients on aquatic communities and ecosystem services. The special issue includes 10 papers from authors of various nationalities, focusing on the effects of land use, vegetation cover, water pollution, and other disturbances on diatoms, macroinvertebrates, and fish communities. The studies demonstrate that environmental gradients can alter water quality, habitat availability, and the structure and composition of aquatic communities. The document concludes by expressing gratitude to the reviewers and authors who contributed to the special issue. [Extracted from the article]

This paper offers a brief overview of the contributions provided by widely recognised phytoplankton ecologists to honour the memory of an undisputed leader in the field of aquatic sciences: Colin S. Reynolds. Colin passed away quite unexpectedly in December 2018 causing a wave of sorrow that rapidly circulated among friends and colleagues all over the world. The 14 review papers collected in this Special Issue form a tribute to Colin's scientific thinking, which survives the man and represents a legacy to all the scientists in the field, especially to young generations. Although authors and editors carefully selected 14 different topics, a certain degree of overlap exists among the collected contributions. This, far from being a limit, further underlines the holistic nature of Colin's vision about phytoplankton and shows the need to develop a comprehensive cultural framework when analysing this complex ecological group of organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat complexity has long been known to influence animal community structure by increasing the number of available habitats. Fifty years have passed since MacArthur brothers published the seminal paper 'On bird species diversity', which revolutionized studies of habitat structure. This paper first evidenced and quantified the relationship between species diversity (birds) and habitat structural complexity (the number of stratified layers of landscape vegetation). In this article, we aim to pay homage to R. H. MacArthur's contribution and to briefly analyze the citation history and influence of 'On bird species diversity', focusing primarily on aquatic studies. We searched for all papers that cited 'On bird species diversity' on Thomson Reuters (ISI-Web of Knowledge) and analyzed them for temporal citation trends. In addition, considering only aquatic papers, we explored whether and how habitat complexity was measured, as well as the ecological organization level, attributes of organisms, taxonomic groups and study design (observational or experimental). 'On bird species diversity' citations increased over time, but this paper was less cited by limnologists compared to terrestrial and marine scientists. The majority of investigations in aquatic ecosystems quantified habitat complexity, but few used mathematical modeling. The high number of citations, which continues to increase, shows the great influence of 'On bird species diversity' on ecological studies and typifies it as a classic in the ecological literature. However, the low citation frequency found in papers devoted to freshwater ecosystems indicates that limnologists in general neglect this original contribution in studies of habitat complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1959, G.E. Hutchinson provided a general explanation for the diversity of species in his paper “Homage to Santa Rosalia or why are there so many kinds of animals?” To assess the contribution of the ideas Hutchinson introduced in “The Homage” to aquatic ecology research, we performed a bibliometric evaluation of all the articles that cited this paper between 1960 and 2009. The articles were retrieved using the database from Thomson Reuters (ISI Web of Knowledge) in March 2009. For each paper, we first identified the studied environment (terrestrial, marine or freshwater) and whether the study was theoretical or empirical. For marine and freshwater studies, we recorded the journal where the article was published, the year of publication, the number of citations, the taxonomic group (e.g. fish, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates or macrophytes), the habitat (e.g. wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams or ocean) and the main ideas addressed. A total of 1345 articles cited “The Homage”, and the number of citations increased significantly with time. Most of the articles that cited “The Homage” described research carried out in a terrestrial environment or were theoretical, and a lesser number of citations came from freshwater and marine papers, which used mainly fish and invertebrates as model organisms. In the aquatic sciences, most of the papers discussed the influences of competition and energy (productivity) on diversity. Our results indicate that “The Homage” can still be considered a “citation classic” and a breakthrough contribution, and that it is still having a great impact on different fields of ecology, including limnology and marine ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most information on rotifers living in lake sands comes from the 1930s, when the first reports on this subject by Jerzy Wiszniewski appeared. After some decline in the interest in lake psammon in the following years, research on lake psammon returned in the last decade of the twentieth century. The last comprehensive review of ecology of psammon Rotifera was included in the excellent 1998 publication by Schmid-Araya on Rotifera in interstitial sediments. More than 20 papers have been published since that time. So far, research conducted almost exclusively in the northern hemisphere have dealt with issues related to distribution of rotifers, their species structure and diversity as well as to their relation to abiotic and biotic factors. The aim of the present study was to collect all available information on psammon rotifers, assess the shortcomings in our knowledge and fill these gaps with the results of some of my recent research. The results of the study show that the species richness of this group in geographical terms is still unknown. It means we also do not know the level of endemism among the psammon rotifers. The role of psammon rotifers in benthic food webs is another issue requiring research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on zooplankton in lakes, ponds, and rivers have always received more attention, while zooplankton from streams remains understudied worldwide. Therefore, the role of zooplankton in neotropical stream functioning is still poorly understood. In order to remedy this situation, we aimed to answer the following questions: (1) How many papers have been published on the zooplankton from Brazilian streams? (2) In which hydrographic regions were these studies conducted? (3) Are there specific patterns of zooplankton species occurrence in neotropical streams? (4) What are the main types of studies and what are the main environmental factors influencing zooplankton in streams? In order to answer these questions, we performed a systematic review of indexed scientific papers. We indeed observed a paucity of studies on zooplankton in Brazilian streams. But despite the low number of studies (24), many species (276 taxa) were reported from seven Brazilian hydrographic regions. The species composition showed great variability within the hydrographic regions and fourteen environmental variables (physical, chemical, and spatial), which can represent environmental filters and influence dispersion processes, were related to zooplankton occurrences. These bibliographic data helped to clarify patterns in species composition and community structure of zooplankton in these streams. More studies are needed to further investigate the role of zooplankton in neotropical streams, which can help to develop conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guest editors: Verónica Ferreira, Luis Mauricio Bini, Katya E. Kovalenko, Andre A. Padial, Judit Padisák & María de los Ángeles González Sagrario / Aquatic Ecosystem Services Introduction to ecosystem services Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The dependency of human wellbeing from ecological systems has been long recognized. The ecosystem services approach has provided background and motivated international legislation and agreements aiming to halt and reverse ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, such as the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the EU Nature Restoration Law. The papers included in this Special Issue, together with reviews on ecosystem services provided by other aquatic ecosystems and organisms (e.g., Barbier et al., [2]; Macadam & Stockan, [25]; Hilt et al., [14]; Riis et al., [37]; Janssen et al., [16]), contribute to highlighting the relevance of these ecosystems and organisms to human wellbeing, and emphasizing the need for their conservation and restoration. This is followed by 6 reviews addressing ecosystem services provided by specific aquatic ecosystems and 12 reviews addressing ecosystem services provided by different groups of aquatic organisms (Table 2). [Extracted from the article]

The hyporheic zone is a region underneath streambeds that integrates surface and groundwater. Although its location is central to biogeochemical linkages between the riparian zone, dissolved nutrients, and benthic biota, the seasonal quality and likely sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the hyporheic zone are not well understood. To investigate DOM characteristics in the hyporheic zone, water from the surface and subsurface (at depths 20, 60, and 100 cm below the streambed) was sampled every 4 weeks from 2007 to 2008 in a third-order stream in southern Ontario. Using UV spectroscopy, measures of spectral slopes, aromaticity, and A254/ A365 ratios (molecular weight) were obtained. Temporal changes in these measures were consistent with watershed processes such as shedding of leaf litter in the fall, and photochemical and biofilm influence in the spring and summer. The fluorescence index (a measure of relative DOM source) suggested that at the surface and in the downwelling zone, DOM microbial sources increased with depth in the sediment, regardless of the season. Excitation–emission matrices (EEMs) showed seasonally distinct, protein-like DOM components of bacterial origin that were stronger in the fall. Leachates from specific allochthonous DOM sources—leaf litter from Betula papyrifera (white birch) and Thuja occidentalis (white cedar)—and an autochthonous source, biofilm, were isolated and incubated with unfiltered surface water. EEMs from these leachates indicated that these sources could indeed help explain observed patterns of DOM in surface and subsurface waters. These results suggest that although DOM sources were relatively constant, biogeochemical processing within the hyporheic zone resulted a DOM pool that was temporally dynamic and altered the nature of organic matter transported downstream into lakes and rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-native species can simultaneously affect ecological structures, functions, and services of the invaded ecosystem. In this paper, we report that the study of non-native species impacts on ecosystem function is an emerging topic in aquatic ecology, though studies measuring functions remain relatively uncommon. We hypothesized that study of ecosystem function can reveal emergent effects of non-native species when community structure appears to be unimpacted and the study of multiple functions has the potential to identify impacts masked by food-web complexity. We compiled information from Web of Science to create a pool of papers (n = 199) addressing ecosystem functions and services that we surveyed to evaluate our hypotheses. The number of publications referencing ecosystem function has increased since 2002, but only 10% of papers measured ecosystem functions as defined in our work. Additionally, 80% of publications reporting functional metrics addressed primary production and nutrient fluxes, while a low number of manuscripts (6%) directly linked the impact of non-native species on ecosystem functions to ecosystem services. We recommend future work focus on less-studied functions (e.g., bioturbation, decay rate, biomagnification), assess multiple functional metrics, link functions to services, and use networks to understand impacts from multiple dimensions of an invaders ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasion of non-native fishes threatens freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Yet, detailed estimates of population demography for invasive species, such as population size and body size, are rarely integrated in evaluating aquatic community responses. Our study capitalised on detailed brook trout population demographic data collected for a replicated whole lake ecosystem experiment involving experimental harvesting of exotic brook trout in nine mountain lakes. We applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and morphological taxonomy to examine the response of crustacean zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities to gradients in brook trout effective density and lake elevation. Density-dependent effects of brook trout on crustacean zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities were detected even decades after their first introductions (between 1926 & 1980). However, they were moderated by environmental factors such as elevation, lake maximum depth and dissolved organic carbon. Elevation was important in structuring crustacean zooplankton and macroinvertebrate community composition. While there were differences in explanatory variables when describing communities characterized by eDNA metabarcoding and morphological taxonomy, the principal environmental factors that structured the communities were similar. Our paper highlights persisting density-dependent impacts of exotic trout on invertebrate communities even decades after first introduction, and it considers the conservation implications for lake restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces and summarises the main outcomes of the 19th workshop of the International Association for Phytoplankton Taxonomy and Ecology held in Tiszafüred, Hungary, Tisza Balneum Hotel, from 23 to 30 September 2022. The selected theme of the workshop was "Trait-Based Approaches in Micro-Algal Ecology". The discussions presented during the workshop sessions resulted in the 18 articles contained in this Special Issue. There are 6 main thematic aspects developed by the participants: 1. Shape and size: are these traits easy to measure? 2. Spatial scales: when and where to look for microalgae? 3. Climate and extremes of ecological gradients: hot topics of this century. 4. Metaphyton and metaphytic habitats: life beyond plankton and benthos. 5. Microalgae in water management: phycology in practice. 6. Traditional and new methods: perspectives and comments. Trait-based approaches in microalgae ecology, although requiring further investigation and methodological development, represent a valid tool for refining the analysis of environmental variability in aquatic ecosystems. The papers presented in this Special Issue demonstrate that these approaches are extremely useful not only in the study of planktic algae but constitute a thoughtful method for the analysis of benthic and metaphytic microalgae in a wide variety of aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages in various and variable aquatic ecosystems is of paramount importance, given the strategic supporting services offered by these organisms. Such knowledge is implicitly based on the analysis of the realized niche of the different populations, i.e. of the sets of conditions within which populations show a positive growth. The range of phytoplankton morphological traits variability is evolutionarily selected to maximize the ecological performance of species while they are entrained in the spectrum of turbulent flows. In addition, most phytoplankton species exhibit high morphological plasticity that can further optimize their performance under reduced environmental variability. Although this plasticity is well known, it is seldom considered in phytoplankton studies. Morphological analysis could therefore be used as a tool to estimate the environmental variability within which a species can persist and, ultimately, the niche width of phytoplankton populations. This opinion paper tries to answer the questions: to what extent can the morphological variability of phytoplankton offer a synthesis of the environmental variability of aquatic ecosystems?. Do the morphological traits contain sufficient information to describe the width of the realized niche of phytoplankton species? What can we do to fill eventual gaps in our knowledge? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatially hierarchical stream hydrogeomorphology classification presented by Cox et al. ([3]), based on 42 Irish headwater streams, is simple to apply and may be applicable across northern and western Europe with similar climate - landscape conditions. It is clear from these papers and others presented at SEFS12 that the extensive length of the small stream network and high numbers of ponds poses challenges in terms of water quality and biodiversity monitoring. Small water bodies are increasingly recognised as important for biodiversity and in terms of their influence on downstream water quality and contributions to catchment ecosystem services (Riley et al., [12]). [Extracted from the article]

Stygobionts, namely animals with strong adaptations to subterranean environments that are unable to complete their life cycles outside groundwater, can be observed in spring ecotones, but their occurrence is generally considered accidental. The aim of this paper is to assess if stygobiont occurrence in springs is linked to specific environmental conditions or if it is random, irrespective of their features. For three years, we surveyed 59 spring sites recording the occurrence of vertebrate and invertebrate stygobiont species and assessing if spring features were related to their distribution. Moreover, we recorded the escape reactions of two easily identifiable stygobiont species. We detected six taxa usually considered as strictly stygobiont based on their troglomorphic features. Two of them were quite widespread: the salamander Proteus anguinus and the shrimp Troglocaris planinensis. Environmental characteristics were significantly related to the distribution of stygobionts. Hydroperiod and occurrence of flooding were the factors that played the strongest role in affecting occurrence. Our study suggests that the occurrence of stygobionts in springs is linked to specific habitat features rather than being a random mechanism and that the exploitation of ecotones can be important for the lifecycle of some species usually assumed to be strictly associated to caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editors discuss the theme of the issue biology and ecology of aquatic organisms.

This paper summarises key issues from papers included in a special issue about the impacts of climate change on Australian wetlands. The papers covered: the assessment of wetlands under climate change, adaptation and engineering responses to climate change, and restoring wetlands under a changing climate. The key issues from these papers were used to indicate areas where the Ramsar Convention could develop guidance as part of its' Handbooks for the Wise Use of Wetlands. These included: (i) assessing changes in the distribution of species and whether these constitute a change in the ecological character of the wetland; (ii) assessing the usefulness of models of wetland response to climate change; (iii) assessing the value in allocating water to protected sites where restoration would be contingent on reallocation of larger volumes of water; (iv) assessing the efficacy of engineering responses with the potential to deliver more water-efficient environmental outcomes for wetlands and (v) determining if the description of the ecological character of a Ramsar site at the time of listing is a suitable reference for management purposes. With these issues in mind it is recommended that further attention is directed towards determining and responding to the ecological consequences of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preface to the journal "Hydrobiologia" is presented.

Even in a biodiversity hotspot such as the Mediterranean basin, aspects relating to the distribution of some groups of microcrustaceans still need clarification. In this paper, we critically analyse the available information on diaptomid copepods in Tunisian inland waters and, based on the largest sampling campaign to date carried out in the country, report new data on their distribution. In the frame of this study, 248 crustacean samples were collected from 190 sites, and 10 diaptomid species belonging to 7 genera and 2 subfamilies were found in the samples. Their distribution follows a climate gradient determined by precipitation, and ecological variables mainly affect diaptomid distribution in the study area, while pure spatial factors are of negligible importance. Diaptomid biodiversity is therefore strongly linked to the diversity of inland waters that characterise the country. This is especially true in the wetlands of the Medjerda alluvial plain, where six diaptomid species co-occurred sympatrically, with up to four or five species coexisting syntopically and synchronically in some sites. Unfortunately, the natural water bodies of this plain are currently strongly threatened by urban expansion and agricultural reclamation, and the risk of local extinction for the species they host is increasingly high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both natural and anthropogenic processes can lead to the increasing salinity of surface waters. The knowledge about the ecological consequences of salinization on the biota is limited especially in case of microbiota, like diatoms. We collected the existing knowledge about the relationship between salinity and diatoms in fresh and saline waters. Based on the available papers, conductivity and ion composition are the most important variables shaping diatom communities. Secondary salinization can mask regional differences in diatom assemblages. Trait-based analyses highlight the competitive advantages of motile guild and the extreme trait categories in these environments. The increasing conductivity along a wide conductivity scale decreases the alpha-diversity. Salinization induces the spread and invasion of marine and brackish species into inland freshwaters as well as that of freshwater species tolerating elevated conductivity and/or need specific ions. Concerning food webs, salinity can directly change diatom communities and the subsequent upper trophic levels but most likely this effect manifests as a top-down regulation. Applicable diatom indices are available to assess the level of salinization. Furthermore, diatom-inferred salinity reconstructions are widely applied to assess the past changes of salinity. However, future models predicting ecological consequences of salinization are scarce and sometimes contradictory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The special issues of this series are organized by Hydrobiologia editors and at least one of the authors of each paper is a Hydrobiologia editor. The authors identified ecosystem and geographic bias in the literature which focused on ecosystem functions: freshwater received far more attention than marine ecosystems, and Europe and North America have been much more studied than any of the other continents. Also, the majority of studies which claim to study ecosystem functioning actually investigated ecosystem structure, while many studies investigated proxies instead of real functions. Braga et al. ([2]) conducted an experiment in mesocosms to investigate if invasive species impacts on native communities and ecosystem functions are related to synergistic, antagonistic or additive interactions between invasive species. [Extracted from the article]

Nine papers comprising this special section of Hydrobiologia on cephalopod molluscs are introduced. These papers are a selection of those submitted following the CIAC 2015 conference held in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, during 6–14 November, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the process of seabed mining, sediment redeposition will lead to the burial of organisms in the seabed environment, resulting in the death of benthos. The study of the effect of burial on megabenthos is an important part of environmental impact assessment before seabed mining. However, the molecular mechanism of the reaction of marine megabenthos to burial is still unclear. In this paper, a transcriptomic study of response to sediment burial is carried out for the widely distributed marine brittle star Ophiothrix exigua. Differentially expressed genes were identified through transcriptome sequencing. The most enriched GO terms included acting on L-amino acid peptides, peptidase activity, transport vesicle, phagocytic vesicle, zymogen granule membrane, basement membrane, vesicle lumen, secretory granule and induction of programmed cell death. The results of the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that sediment burial will cause different levels of impacts on brittle stars, including changes in signal pathways, metabolic regulation, and the immune system. The findings will enhance our understanding of the effect of burial on megabenthos in the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the condition (water quality, biodiversity, hydromorphology) of small water bodies presents a challenge for the relevant authorities in terms of time and resources (labour and financial) due to the extensive length of the stream network or the sheer number of small standing water bodies. Citizen science can help address information gaps, but the effort required should not be underestimated if such projects are to generate reliable and sustained data collection. The overall aim of this paper is to propose a framework for operationalisation of citizen science targeting collection of data from small water bodies. We first consider the data gaps and the elements (water chemistry, ecology, hydromorphology) to be addressed, in order to define where citizen science could best make an impact. We review examples of tools and methods that are appropriate for small water bodies, based on experience from a selection of freshwater citizen science projects, and the support that is needed for effective and sustained small water body projects across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-level fluctuations (WLF) in lakes and rivers, especially their extent, frequency and duration, are dominant forces controlling the functioning of these ecosystems. In particular, WLF play an important role in the lake’s littoral and aquatic–terrestrial interface processes. WLF may take place on different spatial and temporal scales under natural conditions but water levels have been artificially modified in regulated lakes, and their impacts are expected to be enhanced within the actual global change scenarios with forthcoming management problems. This article presents an overview on the literature published on this important topic since 1991 by using journals indexed in the ISI Web of Knowledge. The overall objective was to examine temporal and spatial trends in publications on WLF, the specific aspect of WLF concerned and their main effects. Throughout the article we have used case studies to illustrate different effects of WLF on the variety of lake habitats and indicators that have been studied. Overall, the number of papers published on the subject since the 1990s has risen steadily, when less than ten papers were published each year; until 2006 and peaking in 2005. The greatest number of papers on WLF has been carried out in Europe and North America (c. 73%). These data also showed that the effects of WLF have not been studied equally for different groups of organisms. There is a greater interest on macrophytes, which are the most studied group of organisms (18.4% of the papers). Nearly 7% of the papers deal with algae, and zooplankton and invertebrates account for a 7% followed by fish. WLF effects on ecosystems are very complex, and the biological effects in lakes are greatest in shallow water and littoral areas, where even small changes in water levels can result in the conversion of large areas of a standing-water environment in air exposed habitats. Finally, these data might serve to highlight knowledge gaps still existing on this topic and, in particular, some of the approaches that can potentially contribute to solve several of these lacunae are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent decline in taxonomic studies is well recognized. Algae-related papers (390) published in five leading limnology journals (1971–2004) were consulted to assess similar trends in limnology by taking algae as a test aquatic group. The study showed a decrease of algae-only studies and an increase of multi-group studies (algae plus one or more aquatic groups). Identification of species decreased while mentioning of ecological groups (phytoplankton, epiphytes, etc.) increased while presenting results. Species identification, however, was not associated with number of aquatic groups or number of algal species included in a study. Problems probably lie with the old-fashioned image of taxonomy and it being threatened by the recent advancement in evolutionary and molecular biology. Issues like the changing research patterns in freshwater ecology, scope of limnological works, its workers and relevant journals are also shaping the status of traditional taxonomy in limnology. Practices such as giving of at least (algal) genera in community studies, and of the current names of studied species in physiological/molecular works and also in studies on particular supra-generic taxa (Class, Family, etc.), could help sustaining of taxonomy in limnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface area measurement is a common component of benthic research, especially in the quantification of chlorophyll. Multiple techniques are available and 10 are described: artificial substrates, area-specific sampling, geometric approximation, stone shape equations, foil wrapping, grids, stamps, wetted layer, particle layer, and planar area measurement. A literature search of 130 papers indicated the most common methods: using artificial substrates of known area, subsampling a specific area using a template or sampler, measuring stone dimensions and using an equation to derive area, and using the weight of foil wrapped on stones. Methods were compared using spheres of known area, smooth and rough granite stones, and plastic macrophytes. Most methods produced highly correlated measurements and accurately estimated surface area. The wetted layer method was sensitive to stone roughness and plant complexity, but may overestimate the area of complex surfaces. Replication of one method by 10 biologists indicated that individual differences in technique can affect surface area values. Factors to consider in choosing an appropriate method include ease of use, characteristics of the substrates (e.g., porosity and flexibility), fineness of scale in measuring area, and whether methods must be field-based or can include laboratory techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phoretic behaviour of ostracods ( Elpidium bromeliarum) andannelids ( Dero superterrenus) that inhabit tank bromeliads was studied. Our previous field observations had shown that bromeliad ostracods can be found attached to the skin of amphibians and reptiles that move among bromeliads, probably allowing the ostracods to colonise new tanks. In this paper, we present the first record of bromeliad annelids found attached to frogs moving among bromeliads in the field. We have also enlarged the database on bromeliad ostracods engaged in phoretic association with terrestrial vertebrates in three locations in southeastern Brazil. In our laboratory experiments bromeliad annelids show a strong significant tendency to climb onto papers that had been in contact with frog skin when compared with control papers, indicating a kind of chemically oriented behaviour. Bromeliad ostracods, on the other hand, attached themselves to treated and untreated papers with same frequency. When brought into contact with various species of frogs and lizards, the bromeliad annelids and ostracods both presented preference to attach themselves to frogs, but the annelids showed a stronger preference to attach to frogs and to avoid attachment to lizards. Another experiment demonstrated that bromeliad annelids are much more prone to dehydration than are ostracods. We suggest that the chemically oriented behaviour presented by bromeliad annelids toward frogs could diminish the risk of death by dehydration during the transport among bromeliads due to the moist characteristic of frog skins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial in Hydrobiologia discusses the importance of studying functional traits in macrophytes to understand their adaptations and responses to ecological drivers. The paper highlights the need for functional trait ecology to bridge knowledge gaps and address the global crisis of vanishing macrophytes. Various studies presented in the editorial explore the impact of light quality, individual-level functional diversity, alien macrophytes, and intraspecific trait variation in different ecosystems, providing valuable insights for ecological management. The research emphasizes the significance of investigating macrophyte functional traits to enhance our understanding of freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide. [Extracted from the article]

Although several studies have examined the functional diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates, the variety of methodologies combined with the absence of a synthetic review make our understanding of this field incomplete. Therefore, we reviewed the current methodology for assessing functional diversity in freshwater macroinvertebrate research. Our review showed that most papers quantified functional diversity using biological traits, among which feeding habits were the most common traits probably due to the assumed links between feeding and ecosystem functions. A large number of diversity measures have been applied for quantifying functional diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrate assemblages, among which Rao's quadratic entropy looks like the most frequent. In most papers, functional diversity was positively related to taxon richness, and functional redundancy was a key concept in explaining this correlation. Most studies detected strong influence of the environmental factors as well as human impact on functional diversity. Finally, our review revealed that functional diversity research is biased towards European running waters and is hindered by yet insufficient information on the autecology of macroinvertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perspectives on the Environmental Implications of Sustainable Hydropower gathers scientific papers from three of the worlds most important hydropower producers to discuss aspects of sustainable hydropower and the means by which it can be studied and achieved. The papers examine the application and use of new technologies and protocols for studying hydropower, adaptive management and the implications and use of long-term data sets for minimizing hydropower impacts on fish populations. The papers include a cross section of biological and hydrological experts. The implicit among country comparisons highlight a number of common hydropower themes, particularly the need to expand from single species studies to include broader consideration of the ecosystem, the importance of maintaining habitat, trait and species diversity and the need for consistently collected long-term data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton, the ecological group of microalgae adapted to live in apparent suspension in water masses, is much more than an ecosystem's engineer. In this opinion paper, we use our experience as phytoplankton ecologists to list and highlight the services provided by phytoplankton, trying to demonstrate how their activity is fundamental to regulate and sustain Life on our Planet. Although the number of services produced by phytoplankton can be considered less numerous than that produced by other photosynthetic organisms, the ubiquity of this group of organisms, and their thriving across oceanic ecosystems make it one of the biological engines moving our biosphere. Supporting services provided by phytoplankton include almost half of the global primary and oxygen production. In addition, phytoplankton greatly pushes biogeochemical cycles and nutrient (re)cycling, not only in aquatic ecosystems but also in terrestrial ones. In addition, it significantly contributes to climate regulation (regulating services), supplies food, fuels, active ingredients and drugs, and genetic resources (provisioning services), has inspired artistic and craft works, mythology, and, of course, science (cultural services), and much more. Therefore, phytoplankton should be considered in all respects a true biosphere's engineer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River-floodplain ecosystems (RFEs) provide multiple ecosystem services. However, their importance may be underestimated because they are not summarized yet. In this paper, we review and update the benefits that RFEs provide to society, including supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services. Although considered a unique ecosystem service category, we advocate that supporting services, like soil formation, nutrient cycling, primary production, and habitat provisioning can be comprehended as ecosystem processes that generate other services. RFEs provide valuable regulating services, including water regulation, storm protection, erosion control, water purification, waste treatment, and disease control. The society also benefits from provisioning services from RFEs, such as water for drinking and irrigation, food (e.g., fishes and crops), fiber, ornamental and biochemical resources, and energy production. RFEs also provide cultural services including recreation, ecotourism, religiosity, and spirituality. Most ecosystem services from pristine and human-altered RFEs are primarily regulated by the flood pulse because it maintains temporal and spatial habitat variability, high biodiversity, and biotic and abiotic interactions. Despite providing many benefits to society, RFEs are seriously threatened, mainly due to river regulation, land-use changes, pollution and invasive species. Consequently, the multiple demands and uses of RFEs worldwide raise challenges of conservation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper is a review of the available literature on the significance of forage fish, the plethora of services they provide, and the threats faced by them. Forage fish are pelagic planktivorous species that operate as conduits of energy between the lower trophic level (plankton) and the upper trophic level (predators). A variety of ecosystem services are provided by them, from serving as prey for higher trophic levels to producing fish meal and oil. Forage fish have a consumption value for humans and cultural importance to many societies. Forage fish have faced constant natural and anthropogenic threats in the past, resulting in numerous fish collapses which subsequently impacted their predators. The economic benefit provided by forage fish has been estimated to be approximately $ 18.7 billion per annum. An introspection of the data on ecosystem services revealed lack of data on regulating and cultural services, eventually leading to a monetary underestimation and their commercial prioritization over the wider benefits they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem services approach to conservation is becoming central to environmental policy decision making. While many negative biological invasion-driven impacts on ecosystem structure and functioning have been identified, much less was done to evaluate their ecosystem services. In this paper, we focus on the often-overlooked ecosystem services provided by three notable exotic ecosystem engineering bivalves, the zebra mussel, the quagga mussel, and the golden mussel. One of the most significant benefits of invasive bivalves is water filtration, which results in water purification and changes rates of nutrient cycling, thus mitigating the effects of eutrophication. Mussels are widely used as sentinel organisms for the assessment and biomonitoring of contaminants and pathogens and are consumed by many fishes and birds. Benefits of invasive bivalves are particularly relevant in human-modified ecosystems. We summarize the multiple ecosystem services provided by invasive bivalves and recommend including the economically quantifiable services in the assessments of their economic impacts. We also highlight important ecosystem disservices by exotic bivalves, identify data limitations, and future research directions. This assessment should not be interpreted as a rejection of the fact that invasive mussels have negative impacts, but as an attempt to provide additional information for scientists, managers, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]