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This poster was presented at the 2024 UCSB EEMB Research symposium.Algae plays a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, serving as both a primary producer through photosynthesis and a food source and habitat for macroinvertebrates, which in turn supports larger organisms. The abundance and composition of algae and macroinvertebrates are influenced by environmental factors such as salinity, temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.This ongoing study investigates the dynamics of a temporary open-closed estuary in the North Campus Open Space Devereux Slough. Monthly water quality data and algae samples are collected from three sites to assess the types of algae present and variations in macroinvertebrate abundance. Preliminary findings reveal several genera of algae, including but not limited to Tribomena, Phormidium, Ulva, and Oscillatoria. Tribomena exhibits the highest abundance of macroinvertebrates and species diversity. These findings have enabled a more targeted exploration into local microalgal salinity tolerance, primarily through measurements of algal cell wall density, extent of motion, and color in response to regularly increasing salt concentration. Algae samples were collected from Phelps Bridge and introduced to a controlled aquarium environment in which oxygen and temperature levels were kept relatively constant, while 0.25 ppt of salt was introduced to the system every three days over the course of seven weeks. After each addition, the cell structures and behavior of the algae were examined with microscopy. This yielded results aligning with expectations of algal health deterioration with higher salinity. This research highlights the complex interactions between algae, macroinvertebrates, and environmental factors in estuarine ecosystems.

Predicting the response of aquatic species to environmental contaminants is challenging, in part because of the diverse biological traits within communities that influence their uptake and transfer of contaminants. Nanoplastics are a contaminant of growing concern, and previous research has documented their uptake and transfer in aquatic food webs. Employing an established method of nanoplastic tracking using metal-doped plastics, we studied the influence of biological traits on the uptake of nanoplastic from water and diet in freshwater predators through two exposure assays. We focused on backswimmers (Anisops wakefieldi) and damselfly larvae (Xanthocnemis zealandica) - two freshwater macroinvertebrates with contrasting physiological and morphological traits related to feeding and respiration strategies. Our findings reveal striking differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics: damselfly larvae accumulated nanoplastics from water and diet and then efficiently eliminated 92% of nanoplastic after five days of depuration. In contrast, backswimmers did not accumulate nanoplastic from either source. Differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics may be explained by the contrasting physiological and morphological traits of these organisms. Overall, our results highlight the importance and potential of considering biological traits in predicting transfer of nanoplastics through aquatic food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the high growth rates often achieved by invasive alien macrophytes, their establishment in recipient ecosystems may alter the abundance and composition of litter entering detrital pathways, representing a significant—but often overlooked—ecological effect of these invasions. Crassula helmsii (Kirk) Cockayne (New Zealand pygmyweed) is an invasive alien macrophyte, notorious for its profuse growth in invaded waterbodies. C. helmsii is perennial and often forms dense stands, producing abundant detritus. To investigate whether some of C. helmsii's impacts are mediated by this detritus, we conducted an 85-day litterbag experiment comparing decomposition of C. helmsii with that of Callitriche stagnalis Scop. (water-starwort), a commonly co-occurring native macrophyte. Macroinvertebrate assemblage composition was comparable between macrophyte species throughout the experiment, but shifted as plants decayed. Litterbags were initially dominated by the invasive shredder Crangonyx pseudogracilis Bousfield, 1958 and later by Euglesa casertana (Poli, 1791), an interstitial suspension feeder. C. helmsii litter decomposed more slowly, with proportionally less invertebrate-mediated breakdown, but was ultimately colonised by more abundant macroinvertebrates, including more C. pseudogracilis. Decomposition may be slowed by C. helmsii's high carbon: nitrogen ratio. These results suggest that C. helmsii invasion may impact macroinvertebrate assemblages via the production of long-lasting and relatively unpalatable detritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent anthropogenic activities have escalated human exploitation of riparian zones of river ecosystems, consequently diminishing aquatic biodiversity. This intensification of land use is also causing water quality degradation and changes in water environmental factors, evidenced by increased nutrient levels and adversely impacting the community structure and diversity of aquatic organisms. Notably, the Weihe River Basin, the largest tributary of the Yellow River, has demonstrated signs of significant anthropogenic pressure. Despite this, comprehensive investigations examining the effects of land-use intensity on aquatic organism diversity in this watershed remain limited. In this study, the environmental impacts and macroinvertebrate diversity under high-intensity and low-intensity land-use scenarios within the Weihe River Basin were investigated through field surveys conducted during the spring and autumn seasons. Our results demonstrated that areas under high-intensity land use exhibited elevated nutrient concentrations (e.g., total nitrogen) compared to those under low-intensity land use. These environmental changes significantly influenced the macroinvertebrate community structure, reducing functional and phylogenetic diversities in high-intensity land-use watersheds. Hydrological factors (water depth, river width, and discharge) have a significant impact on macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity. Thus, understanding the effects of land-use intensity on aquatic biodiversity is essential for ecological assessments of impacted watersheds and developing management strategies for the sustainable use and planning of riparian lands in the Weihe River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Predicting the response of aquatic species to environmental contaminants is challenging, in part because of the diverse biological traits within communities that influence their uptake and transfer of contaminants. Nanoplastics are a contaminant of growing concern, and previous research has documented their uptake and transfer in aquatic food webs. Employing an established method of nanoplastic tracking using metal-doped plastics, we studied the influence of biological traits on the uptake of nanoplastic from water and diet in freshwater predators through two exposure assays. We focused on backswimmers (Anisops wakefieldi) and damselfly larvae (Xanthocnemis zealandica) - two freshwater macroinvertebrates with contrasting physiological and morphological traits related to feeding and respiration strategies. Our findings reveal striking differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics: damselfly larvae accumulated nanoplastics from water and diet and then efficiently eliminated 92% of nanoplastic after five days of depuration. In contrast, backswimmers did not accumulate nanoplastic from either source. Differences in nanoplastic transfer dynamics may be explained by the contrasting physiological and morphological traits of these organisms. Overall, our results highlight the importance and potential of considering biological traits in predicting transfer of nanoplastics through aquatic food webs.

An investigation was conducted on the Khorramrood River in Iran to evaluate pollution levels resulting from human activities. Water samples were collected from eleven stations and analyzed for four parameters: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate (NO3). Additionally, a biodiversity assessment of macroinvertebrates was conducted to evaluate water quality. Eleven invertebrate families from seven classes were identified, with Chironomidae and Baetidae as the predominant groups, suggesting a significant deterioration in water quality. As the first objective, water quality assessment using macroinvertebrates was done using two diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson) and four biotic indices (ASPT, FBI, EPT, and BMWP). The results consistently indicated poor water quality in the river. These findings are consistent with the conclusions drawn from the analysis of physicochemical parameters, which is the second objective, and both confirm inadequate water quality. As a part of the last objective, to map the physicochemical parameters, three scenarios were used. They involved utilizing a transformed high-resolution PRISMA image, a traditional method with Landsat 9 images, and a fusion of Landsat 9 and PRISMA images. The first scenario produced the most accurate results (RMSE = 0.624, 0.942, 0.167, and 0.98 for DO, NO3, pH, and temperature. respectively). Mapping biodiversity indices, another part of the last objective, using the transformed pan-sharpened PRISMA image proved highly reliable. A strong correlation was observed between most indices and the DO (CR = 0.972, −0.496, −0.973, and −0.978 for Simpson, EPT, BMWP, and ASPT, respectively), indicating the significant influence of DO on the river's biological state.

An investigation was conducted on the Khorramrood River in Iran to evaluate pollution levels resulting from human activities. Water samples were collected from eleven stations and analyzed for four parameters: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrate (NO3). Additionally, a biodiversity assessment of macroinvertebrates was conducted to evaluate water quality. Eleven invertebrate families from seven classes were identified, with Chironomidae and Baetidae as the predominant groups, suggesting a significant deterioration in water quality. As the first objective, water quality assessment using macroinvertebrates was done using two diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson) and four biotic indices (ASPT, FBI, EPT, and BMWP). The results consistently indicated poor water quality in the river. These findings are consistent with the conclusions drawn from the analysis of physicochemical parameters, which is the second objective, and both confirm inadequate water quality. As a part of the last objective, to map the physicochemical parameters, three scenarios were used. They involved utilizing a transformed high-resolution PRISMA image, a traditional method with Landsat 9 images, and a fusion of Landsat 9 and PRISMA images. The first scenario produced the most accurate results (RMSE = 0.624, 0.942, 0.167, and 0.98 for DO, NO3, pH, and temperature. respectively). Mapping biodiversity indices, another part of the last objective, using the transformed pan-sharpened PRISMA image proved highly reliable. A strong correlation was observed between most indices and the DO (CR = 0.972, −0.496, −0.973, and −0.978 for Simpson, EPT, BMWP, and ASPT, respectively), indicating the significant influence of DO on the river's biological state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Water colour is an important physicochemical property of water that affects aquatic communities. Land-use change has led to water colour darkening in lotic habitats, such as streams and rivers. Here, I evaluate whether urban land-use change affects water colour in urban ponds, a type of lentic habitats, and how diving beetles (Dytiscidae) respond to the water colour gradient in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. The results show that urbanisation may not drive water darkening in urban ponds, possibly because urban ponds are often not connected to stormwater pipes. Diving beetles responded to the increasing pond water colour differently in the presence or absence of fish. Diving beetle species richness and abundance significantly increased along the water colour gradient in ponds with fish, but not in ponds without fish. Some species, such as the great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis), appear tolerant to brown water, whereas some species, such as the cherrystone beetle (Hyphydrus ovatus), prefer clear water. This study highlights that not all species benefit from increasing water colour. It is important to provide ponds with a gradient of water colour from clear to brown water in the landscape to meet the habitat requirements of different species for urban biodiversity conservation. Dramatic land-use changes in urban landscapes can drive water colour darkening by washing compounds, such as organic matter and iron, from terrestrial ecosystems into urban blue space, consequentially affecting aquatic communities. Here, I studied how pond water colour changes along an urban gradient and how diving beetles (Dytiscidae) respond to the water colour gradient in 11 ponds with fish and 15 ponds without fish in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. I found that the pond water colour exhibited a non-significant decreasing pattern along the urban gradient, indicating that urbanisation may not necessarily drive brownification in urban ponds. Dytiscid species richness and abundance exhibited significant positive correlations with increasing water colour in ponds with fish but no significant correlation in ponds without fish. Some species, such as Agabus spp. and Dytiscus spp., appeared tolerant to highly coloured water, whereas some species, such as Hyphydrus ovatus and Hygrotus spp., tended to occur in clear water, indicating that brown water may provide dytiscids with prey refuges, but some species are intolerant to brown water. The study highlights the importance of urban pondscape heterogeneity to meet the needs of aquatic invertebrates that prefer different water colours and for the multifunctioning of urban ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River Chanchaga has experienced significant agricultural practices around its catchment, which involved the indiscriminate use of pesticides. However, residents of the study area are not well aware of the negative impact of pesticides on water quality and macroinvertebrates. In this study, the first report on the influence of organophosphate pesticide contamination on the abundance of the macroinvertebrate community was provided. Sampling for the determination of organophosphate pesticide residues was carried out during the peak of the two seasons, while macroinvertebrates and physicochemical variables were observed for 6 months. We examined 11 organophosphate pesticide residues using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, 12 water quality variables, and 625 macroinvertebrate individuals. The concentration of recorded organophosphate pesticide residues ranged from 0.01 to 0.52 μg/L. From the Canonical Correspondence Analysis plot, malathion, chlorine, and paraffin show a positive correlation with Unima sp., Hydrocanthus sp., Chironomus sp., and Potadoma sp. At station 3, depth shows a positive correlation with Biomphalaria sp. and Zyxomma sp., indicating poor water quality as most of these macroinvertebrates are indicators of water pollution. Diuron and carbofuran show a negative correlation with Lestes sp. and Pseudocloeon sp., and these are pollution-sensitive macroinvertebrates. The total mean concentration of organophosphate pesticide residues was above international drinking water standards set by the World Health Organization except for paraffin, chlorpyrifos, and diuron. In conclusion, the observations recorded from this research are useful in managing pesticide applications around the river catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) are key species in wetlands and feed mainly on zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. Little is known about the zooplankton and macroinvertebrate communities of East African wetlands and the relationship with the abundance of greater flamingos. We aimed to investigate how the macroinvertebrate and zooplankton community fluctuated in relation to the variation of greater flamingo abundance in the Chelekleka, wetland, Ethiopia. Data were collected from May 2021 to February 2022, where monthly collections of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate samples were conducted at two predetermined sampling sites. The abundance of greater flamingos was recorded twice weekly. Different zooplankton (40 species) and macroinvertebrate (28 families) taxa were recorded in the wetland. Significant monthly variations in zooplankton and macroinvertebrate species richness and abundance were observed. The greater flamingos visited the wetland from December to February. The monthly abundance of greater flamingos varied significantly, with a maximum record of 154 in December 2021. The monthly abundances of most macroinvertebrates and some zooplankton were negatively correlated with the abundance of greater flamingos. This implies that the greater flamingo has a regulating effect on zooplankton and macroinvertebrate community structures. The Chelekleka wetland provides habitat for a diverse assemblage of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate taxa that attract populations of the greater flamingo and other migratory birds. However, anthropogenic activities threaten the wetland, which requires immediate conservation intervention to sustain the habitat and its aquatic communities.

Algae and macroinvertebrate communities respond to the dissolved oxygen and salinity levels of the water. Dissolved oxygen is required by the macroinvertebrates for respiration. Salinity impacts the algae because every algae has a specific salinity range that they are able to survive in. THis research was presented at the UCSB 2023 EEMB research symposium and at the UCSB 2023 URCA symposium.

Background: Acoustic telemetry is an important tool to study the movement of aquatic animals. However, studies have focussed on particular groups of easily tagged species. The development of effective tagging methods for ecologically important benthic species, such as sea stars, remains a challenge due to autotomy and their remarkable capacity to expel any foreign material. We tested three methods to surgically attach acoustic transmitters to the common sea star Asterias rubens; two methods attached the tag to the aboral side of the central body and the third attached the transmitter to the aboral side of an arm. Laboratory experiments evaluated each method in terms of survivability, tag retention, associated injuries, and changes in feeding behaviour and physical condition. Results: Laboratory results were highly variable; however, all tagging methods caused significant injury to the epidermis and deeper tissue around the attachment site over periods greater than 4 weeks. Attaching a tag by horizontally piercing the central body (method HPC) had minimal effects in the short-term (2–3 weeks) and this method was used for a pilot tagging study in the field, where 10 sea stars were tagged and placed within an existing acoustic telemetry array. Although, the interpretation of field data was challenging due to the characteristic slow movement of sea stars, movements of a similar magnitude to previous studies were identified during the 2–4 weeks after sea stars were tagged and released. However, this apparent period of tagging success was followed by a reduction in movement that, when viewed in conjunction with laboratory results, potentially indicated a deterioration in the sea stars' physical condition. Conclusions: While acoustic telemetry continues to provide novel insights into the ecology of a wide variety of marine species, species-specific effects of tagging should be evaluated before starting field studies. If the autonomous study of benthic movement is to expand beyond hard-bodied macroinvertebrates current methodological and analytical challenges must be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species-area relationship (SAR) is a well-established, globally recognized ecological pattern, and research on SAR has expanded to include the phylogenetic diversity-area relationship (PDAR). However, this research has generally been limited to terrestrial systems. Using data on freshwater macroinvertebrates, the log–log form of the SAR and PDAR power models were compared between the Lhasa River and the Niyang River on the Tibetan Plateau in China. The study reveals that there is a significant difference in the slopes of SAR and PDAR between the two rivers, with the Lhasa River having a considerably higher slope. The beta diversity calculations in these two basins support this pattern, with the Lhasa River exhibiting significantly higher numbers of species and greater total phylogenetic beta diversity than the Niyang River. Regarding species replacement, the turnover component was the primary driver of both species and phylogenetic beta diversity in both rivers. These differences in the beta diversity components were mainly driven by dispersal constraints because spatial distance had a large effect on total beta diversity and turnover fractions. In addition, the nestedness component was more affected by climate and land cover, indicating that highland rivers are subject to the threats of anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Therefore, spatial factors play a crucial role in determining the distribution of passively dispersed benthic organisms as the scale of change in rivers increases from local to regional effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macroinvertebrate community, physical–chemical water variables and hydromorphological indices were studied in the Turón River (Málaga, Southern Spain). Our study aims to improve the knowledge of the most influential environmental factors at different spatial and temporal scales in Mediterranean rivers, in order to establish better management of Mediterranean river ecosystems. To this end, in this work, seasonal sampling was carried out for one year to evaluate the effect of the characteristics of the drainage basin (i.e., geology, topography, land use) on the macroinvertebrate community. To this end, the environmental variables of the catchment basins were evaluated at three different scales: (i) watershed level, (ii) valley segment level and (iii) local level. The results showed that 13 environmental variables, 3 at the watershed scale, 5 at the valley segment scale and 5 at the local scale, influenced the macroinvertebrate community. Land use is the main explanatory variable at the watershed scale, while stream channel curvature is the most common variable at the valley segment scale, and the habitat assessment index is the variable with the strongest influence at the local scale. The influence of different spatial scales presented a seasonal variation. During spring, autumn and winter, the watershed scale exhibited the highest resolution (adjusted R2 = 0.20–0.29), while in summer, the local scale became the most significant in explaining the presence of macroinvertebrate taxa (adjusted R2 = 0.17). The obtained results emphasize the significance of temporal and spatial scales in Mediterranean rivers for adequate river ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Watersheds, as carriers of biodiversity with distinct boundaries, can provide the basic conditions for the distribution and dispersal of species. This study found that frequent and complex land-use type changes caused by human activities can alter river conditions, thus affecting aquatic biodiversity as well as dispersal and distribution. The disturbed streams had lower aquatic biodiversity than those in their natural state, a decrease in disturbance-sensitive aquatic insect taxa and a more similar community structure. In natural woodland areas, species distributions may be constrained by watershed segmentation and may present more complex community characteristics. This study explores the impact of anthropogenic land use changes on the macroinvertebrate community structure in the streams of the Cangshan Mountains. Through field collections of macroinvertebrates, measurement of water environments, and delineation of riparian zone land use in eight streams, we analyzed the relationship between land use types, stream water environments, and macroinvertebrate diversities. The results demonstrate urban land use type and water temperature are the key environmental factors driving the differences in macroinvertebrate communities up-, mid-, and downstream. The disturbed streams had lower aquatic biodiversity than those in their natural state, showing a decrease in disturbance-sensitive aquatic insect taxa and a more similar community structure. In the natural woodland area, species distributions may be constrained by watershed segmentation and present more complex community characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species diversity and functional diversity indices reflect the variations of community structure and their responses to environmental stress. This study clarifies the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in the Jingui River of Shenzhen and their response to the aquatic environment across different seasons. Utilizing ten functional traits, we conducted a seasonal survey at ten sampling points to examine changes in macroinvertebrate species and functional diversity, along with their relationships with environmental variables in the JGR. The results of the study demonstrated that the species and functional diversity of macroinvertebrates were significantly affected by season. Redundancy analysis indicated that water velocity, hydrogen ion concentration, turbidity, water depth, and total nitrogen were the most important factors for macroinvertebrate functional diversity. Moreover, structural equation modeling demonstrated that seasonal variations in total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, conductivity, water velocity, and hydrogen ion concentration directly or indirectly impacted the species diversity and functional diversity of macroinvertebrates. This study provides valuable information into the seasonal variation characteristics of macroinvertebrate communities, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity crucial for maintaining river ecosystem functioning and stability.

This study shows the results of a water quality assessment for the Basin of the Cane River, which belongs to Iguaque Flora and Fauna Sanctuary National Natural Park, a naturally protected area formed by the Andean Forest and paramo ecosystems in Colombia. The water quality of this river is impacted by agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater from human activities in the buffer area. This was assessed by using chemical, physical, and biological indexes. The IDEAM, NSF and water quality indexes were based on the European standards of measurement. Further to this, BMPW/Col and ETP biological indexes were analyzed and, amongst these, IDEAM WQI (Water quality index) and ETP showed a good correlation. A similar trend was found between the IDEAM water quality index and BMWP/Col index, showing their potential as a good tool for water catchment, diagnosis, assessment, and management in Andean paramo basins. In total, 537 specimens of macroinvertebrates were collected, identifying 8 taxonomic orders, 16 families and 18 genera. Predominant orders were Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera. Baetidae and Planariidae taxas were found in the three water quality levels, showing a decrease in number with a decrease in water quality. Thus, both species have shown sensibility to water quality parameters and also to riverine habitat quality, being then interesting species to determine water quality, deserving more detailed studies for similar cases in high Andean forests and paramo basins.

Recent anthropogenic activities have escalated human exploitation of riparian zones of river ecosystems, consequently diminishing aquatic biodiversity. This intensification of land use is also causing water quality degradation and changes in water environmental factors, evidenced by increased nutrient levels and adversely impacting the community structure and diversity of aquatic organisms. Notably, the Weihe River Basin, the largest tributary of the Yellow River, has demonstrated signs of significant anthropogenic pressure. Despite this, comprehensive investigations examining the effects of land-use intensity on aquatic organism diversity in this watershed remain limited. In this study, the environmental impacts and macroinvertebrate diversity under high-intensity and low-intensity land-use scenarios within the Weihe River Basin were investigated through field surveys conducted during the spring and autumn seasons. Our results demonstrated that areas under high-intensity land use exhibited elevated nutrient concentrations (e.g., total nitrogen) compared to those under low-intensity land use. These environmental changes significantly influenced the macroinvertebrate community structure, reducing functional and phylogenetic diversities in high-intensity land-use watersheds. Hydrological factors (water depth, river width, and discharge) have a significant impact on macroinvertebrate taxonomic diversity. Thus, understanding the effects of land-use intensity on aquatic biodiversity is essential for ecological assessments of impacted watersheds and developing management strategies for the sustainable use and planning of riparian lands in the Weihe River Basin.

Land use intensification has led to conspicuous changes in plant and animal communities across the world. Shifts in trait‐based functional composition have recently been hypothesized to manifest at lower levels of environmental change when compared to species‐based taxonomic composition; however, little is known about the commonalities in these responses across taxonomic groups and geographic regions. We investigated this hypothesis by testing for taxonomic and geographic similarities in the composition of riverine fish and insect communities across gradients of land use in major hydrological regions of the conterminous United States. We analyzed an extensive data set representing 556 species and 33 functional trait modalities from 8023 fish communities and 1434 taxa and 50 trait modalities from 5197 aquatic insect communities. Our results demonstrate abrupt threshold changes in both taxonomic and functional community composition due to land use conversion. Functional composition consistently demonstrated lower land use threshold responses compared to taxonomic composition for both fish (urban p = 0.069; agriculture p = 0.029) and insect (urban p = 0.095; agriculture p = 0.043) communities according to gradient forest models. We found significantly lower thresholds for urban versus agricultural land use for fishes (taxonomic and functional p < 0.001) and insects (taxonomic p = 0.001; functional p = 0.033). We further revealed that threshold responses in functional composition were more geographically consistent than for taxonomic composition to both urban and agricultural land use change. Traits contributing the most to overall functional composition change differed along urban and agricultural land gradients and conformed to predicted ecological mechanisms underpinning community change. This study points to reliable early‐warning thresholds that accurately forecast compositional shifts in riverine communities to land use conversion, and highlight the importance of considering trait‐based indicators of community change to inform large‐scale land use management strategies and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical integrity plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Despite its significance, assessments of ecological integrity often prioritize biological evaluations, leading to infrequent and inadequate scrutiny of chemical integrity. Additionally, a comprehensive framework for separately assessing chemical integrity has not been established. To address this issue, we established a new index for evaluating chemical integrity, achieved through indicator screening, normalization, and weight assignment. Combined with the threshold indicator taxa analysis (TITAN) and Pearson correlation analysis, main evaluation indicators and their indicator species were identified and the corresponding response threshold was determined. These thresholds were then applied to improve the normalization method, with weights determined by indicator species proportions. This index was applied to evaluate the chemical integrity of the Huai River Basin, which is one of the largest basins in China. The results indicated that ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO2-N), pH, and turbidity (Turb) were identified as the core parameters for evaluating chemical integrity. The conventional normalization method (max–min normalization) led to overestimation of the assessment results, whereas improved normalization method based on ecological threshold yielded better and more reasonable results. This study provided a reference for the selection of appropriate indicators and improvement of normalization method to better assess chemical integrity. And it would become a useful tool for monitoring and rehabilitating the chemical integrity in such basins.

IntroductionEcological restoration through dam removals receives increasing attention from scientists, environmental managers and policy makers. However, most dam removal projects focus on small structures (< 10 m in height) and on few ecosystem compartments at a time (e.g. river morphology, reservoir sedimentation, aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial vegetation), but rarely aquatic and riparian ecosystems simultaneously.MethodsWe explored the joint taxonomic recovery (temporal patterns in α- and β-diversity) of three communities after the removal of the Vezins dam (36 m in height; Sélune River, France): aquatic benthic invertebrates, riparian invertebrates, and the riparian vegetation. These communities were monitored yearly, during three years after the dam removal, on sites located within (n = 3; restored sites) and outside (n = 3; two upstream and one downstream; non-impounded sites) the former reservoir.ResultsResults showed a fast recovery of the three ecological communities, as patterns in α-diversity between restored and non-impounded sites were not necessarily different from each other 1.5 years after complete reservoir dewatering. The mean number of species or morphospecies (± standard deviation) reached up to 28.2 ± 5.2, 17.0 ± 2.3 and 77.5 ± 11.2 for the aquatic invertebrates, and the riparian vegetation and invertebrates, respectively. Relative to the sampled area, the riparian invertebrates were the most diversified of all ecological communities with > 500 taxa (i.e., pooling all sites and years). In addition, in some restored sites, α-diversity kept increasing over time while species turnover (β-diversity) remained high after three years for all ecological communities suggesting a transient recovery (i.e., still facing temporal changes in species diversity and composition). This recovery was mediated by the identity of the ecological community as inter-annual changes in α- and β-diversity of the riparian vegetation were less pronounced compared to those of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. This recovery depended also on site-specific features as the most distant restored site from the former dam had more time for recovery following the slow reservoir dewatering and through increased sedimentation in the downstream site.DiscussionDifferential patterns of recovery in α- and β-diversity found in this study are discussed in light of species functional traits and ecosystem functioning.

Effective riverine ecosystem management and restoration are predicated upon comprehending the relationship between land use patterns, the aquatic environment, and macroinvertebrates. However, the processes by which land use affects riverine ecosystems are exceedingly complex, influenced by factors across varying special scales. To explore these multi-scale relationships, we centered our study on the Taizi River Basin (TRB) in northeastern China, encompassing data on land use, macroinvertebrates, physical habitats, and water quality. We employed a synergy of correlation analysis, multiple stepwise regression, and redundant analysis techniques to discern these relationships at diverse spatial extents. This approach led to the development of 24 structural equation models (SEMs) that delineate the pathways bridging land use patterns to various biological indices. Remarkably, the interpretive capacity of SEM-Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (SEM-BIBI), SEM-Shannon Wiener index (SEM-H’), and SEM-Average Score Per Taxon (SEM-ASPT) models was 76%, 70%, and 66% respectively. Within the TRB, the primary pathway from land use pattern to biological index consisted of: land use (predominantly rural and agricultural) feeding into physical habitat (habitat complexity, combined characteristic of speed and depth), which in turn affected benthic indicators. A secondary pathway charts a course from land use, through water quality (electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids) and culminating in benthic variations. Furthermore, our findings indicated that inverse-distance-weighted (IDW) metrics, specifically the IDW distance based on flow length to the stream outlet and the nearest stream (iFLO_m and iFLS_m, respectively) could provide more accurate interpretations of the river’s ecological health status. Given the effects of rural areas and agriculture on macroinvertebrates, we recommend establishing 100-m wide riparian buffers. The optimal buffer range should be determined by evaluating various biological needs and considerations.

Macroinvertebrate community structure parameters can reflect the water quality and water ecosystem health status of rivers. In this paper, using the results of macroinvertebrates in 16 urban rivers in Sichuan Province from November 2020 to March 2021, we independently evaluated the level of black odor in urban rivers based on the mathematical model. On this basis, we examined the community structure, fouling tolerance, diversity, and feeding functional groups of macrobenthos in rivers with different degrees of black odor. During the study, a total of 39 species of macroinvertebrates were collected and identified to 3 phyla, 7 classes, 16 orders, 26 families and 30 genera. Urban rivers changed from non-black and non-odorous to black and odorous: (1) the dominant species, Chironomus flaviplumus, Physa fontinalis and Barbronia weberi, changed to Chironomus flaviplumus, a fouling-tolerant species with wide adaptability; (2) According to the tolerance values (TVs), the pollution resistance categories gradually increased as the level of black odor increased, which indicated the level of black odor in water bodies; (3) The calculation of the Hilsenhoff biotic indices (HBI) indicated that 83.3% of the sampled sites were moderately to heavily polluted. In general, the severity of water quality pollution in the black and odorous type of river was significantly higher than that in the non-black and odorous type of river, and with the deepening of the degree of blackness and odor the quality of the water deteriorated; (4) The community structure had an unstable community structure and a low diversity index of macroinvertebrate species; (5) The taxa of feeding functional groups shifted from the presence of all five types of feeding functional groups to the dominance of fouling-resistant species represented by scrapers. The results summarize the characteristics and change patterns of various indicators under different black-odorous degrees, indicating that the HBI can be used as an alternative indicator for the evaluation of black odorous water, and the number of species of Chironomidae can indicate the degree of black odor in water bodies.

Community-based macroinvertebrate habitat suitability criteria are needed for two reasons: (1) community-based criteria, such as with macroinvertebrates, are a better measure of ecosystem health than single-species habitat suitability criteria (HSC); and (2) if food rather than physical habitat is the limiting factor for juvenile salmonids, it is better to evaluate habitat restoration projects based on macroinvertebrate habitat than juvenile habitat. The goal of this study was to generate habitat suitability criteria for macroinvertebrates in the Sacramento River. Habitat suitability criteria were derived for three macroinvertebrate community metrics. One of the metrics (biomass of baetids, chironomids and hydropsychids) was selected to represent food supply for juvenile salmonids, while the other two metrics (total biomass and diversity) were selected as measures of ecosystem health. Baetidae, Chironomidae and Hydropsychidae were chosen because they are the dominant taxa present in stomach contents samples of Sacramento River juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tschawytscha. Habitat suitability criteria were developed using data from 75 macroinvertebrate samples stratified by season, mesohabitat type, depth, velocity, and substrate. The criteria for depth, velocity and substrate were developed taking into account several potential confounding variables, and using a polynomial regression for depth and velocity, and analysis of variance for substrate (a categorical variable). The criteria showed no effect of substrate on baetid/chironomid/hydropsychid biomass or diversity. Criteria for total biomass showed a higher suitability for larger cobbles, versus other substrates, for total biomass. The optimum depths for baetid/chironomid/hydropsychid biomass, total biomass and diversity were, respectively, 0.82–0.85 m, 0.61–0.67 m and 1.16–1.19 m. The optimum velocities for baetid/chironomid/hydropsychid biomass, total biomass and diversity were, respectively, 0.73–0.79 m/sec, 0.61–0.67 m/sec, and 0.61–0.73 m/s. Suggestions for development of future macroinvertebrate HSC include: (1) stratifying sampling by depth, velocity and substrate; (2) measuring the amount of organic matter in samples for use as an additional potential confounding factor; and (3) sampling a large area (0.84 m2) with a sampler with a rubber foam lining on the bottom of the sampler.

Improving sewage disposal rates is an important policy for maintaining the health of aquatic organisms in river environments. In Japan, the rate is not yet 100 %. Two measures are necessary to eliminate the discharge of untreated greywater: (1) increase the number of households connected to sewage lines in areas with sewage systems, and (2) replace single-type household onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) with combined-type systems. To estimate the effect of improving the disposal rate on river water quality, we developed a hydrology-based organic pollution assessment model with a gridded spatial resolution of 250 m to estimate the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in rivers in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. We considered three scenarios based on the sewage disposal rate of 70.5 % in 2015. In Scenario A, the disposal rate is increased to 75.2 % in 2030 by increasing the connection rate to sewage lines. In Scenario B, the rate is increased to 88.2 % in 2030 through additional progress in converting from single-to combined-type OWTSs. In Scenario C, the rate reaches 100 % by 2040. The ecological status of rivers was evaluated using taxon richness of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera estimated from its reported relationship to BOD. The number of sites in Gunma Prefecture polluted by organic waste classified as III (poor) and IV (very poor) was estimated to be 1610 under the present state (2015) and decreased to 1212 (25 % reduction) in Scenario A, 619 (62 % reduction) in Scenario B, and 50 (97 % reduction) in Scenario C, with the improvements mainly in small branch rivers. The effects of improved disposal rates were mainly evident in areas with relative high population densities using single-type OWTSs outside of areas with a sewage system, and measures taken in these areas were shown to be effective.

Simple Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of macroinvertebrate functional traits within the Irtysh River Basin under the influence of urbanization. Through comprehensive field assessments and data analysis, we document a significant transition process toward pollution-tolerant functional characteristics in macroinvertebrates, coinciding with the rapid pace of urban development. Simultaneously, the community undergoes a gradual transition, marked by an increase in pollution-tolerant taxa. Urbanization-induced environmental pollution and waste discharge emerge as prominent catalysts, accelerating the observed changes in macroinvertebrate communities and functional traits. Our findings underscore the critical role of anthropogenic factors in aquatic ecosystems and highlight the imperative of strategic management strategies to mitigate these effects. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay among urbanization, environmental change, and benthic organism responses, providing essential insights for sustainable river management amidst urban expansion. Little is known about how changes in the biodiversity and functional traits of macroinvertebrates in rivers respond to the responses of anthropic pressures and their driving factors. Macroinvertebrates were sampled at 17 sites in the Irtysh River Basin and classified macroinvertebrates into 10 traits and 38 categories between May and August 2022. Then, we performed R-mode linked to Q-mode (RLQ) analysis and calculated functional richness, evenness, divergence, and Rao's quadratic entropy (RaoQ) for each site and community-weighted means for each trait category. Our results indicated that there were pronounced alterations in species variability in the urban region. Functional divergence indicated fierce competition among species and considerable niche overlap in the urban region. Functional evenness indicated that species abundance distribution and interspecific functional distance were not uniform in the urban region. Functional richness indicated that the urban region was the strongest region in terms of niche occupation, resource utilization, and buffering capacity for environmental fluctuations. Rao's quadratic entropy showed that the trait difference of macroinvertebrates was the largest in all regions, which was caused by the gradient environmental difference. Research has revealed that urbanization significantly influences the evolutionary trajectory of macroinvertebrate fauna, culminating in an upsurge in pollution-tolerant species and a convergence of functional traits. We recommend strengthening the control of urban and industrial pollution and wise planning and management of land and water resources to mitigate the impact of anthropogenic destruction on habitat fragmentation in the Irtysh River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic macroinvertebrates play significant roles in the benthic zone of the aquatic ecosystem and they have different tolerance level to pollution. Globally, macroinvertebrates are used as bioindicators in determining the ecological health and water quality status of aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, this study focused on the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in River Ugbalo, south-south Nigeria. Macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters were sampled in three marked out stations between March 2018 and February 2020. Physicochemical parameters were analyzed following standard procedures, while macroinvertebrates were collected with Kick net and Van Veen grab. Physicochemical parameters showed that the water quality of the three stations sampled were fair considering the values of pH, turbidity, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, DO, BOD, and EC which were within the World Health Organization and Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria. Cluster analysis based on Bray- Curtis similarity showed that macroinvertebrates were clustered by stations rather than seasons. A total of 5,580 macroinvertebrates individuals were recorded showing high biodiversity in the river. Diptera was the most abundant Order with 2,488 individuals followed by Odonata with 697 individuals. The least represented Order was Lepidoptera with 13 individuals. The diversity indices showed that Margalef index (5.93), Simpson diversity (0.95), Evenness (0.63), and Shannon-Weiner index (3.30) were highest in Station 1. This research work showed that the water quality of the studied stations was fair and station 3 was the most perturbed station. We recommend the enactment and enforcement of policies that will lead to aquatic ecosystem restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of secondary production depend on the efficiency of sampling methods in capturing abundances and body lengths of the entire macroinvertebrate community. The efficiency of common sampling methods in fulfilling these criteria is poorly understood. We compared the effects of a Surber sampler (250 µm mesh size) and a Freeze corer in capturing abundance, biomass, and secondary production of macroinvertebrates in a forested headwater stream. We then examined how the use of nets with different mesh sizes could affect estimates of secondary production. Macroinvertebrate abundance was three times lower, and biomass was three times higher with the Surber than with the Freeze corer. Neither method captured the entire length distribution, and incomplete sampling of body lengths and abundance resulted in underestimating total secondary production by 48% (Surber) and 49% (Freeze corer). We estimated that reducing the mesh size from 250 to 100 µm would reduce the underestimation of production from ~ 48 to ~ 12% due to the inclusion of smaller individuals. Our results improve the efficiency of common sampling methods, allowing a reliable quantification of the role of macroinvertebrates in stream ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporary or stationary wetlands (ponds) are bodies of shallow water that experience periodic droughts and an irregular flood cycle throughout the year. Although these wetlands are widely distributed in the Colombian territory, there have been few studies on their ecology. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of hydroperiod on the functional diversity of aquatic and semiaquatic macroinvertebrates in five temporary ponds in the department of Magdalena (Colombia). The samplings were performed during the hydroperiods of the filling and drying phases. Samples were collected from all the microhabitats present (sediment, littoral, and limnetic zones). Correlation analyses were performed between the traits and sites in the two hydroperiods, and a multidimensional and comparative analysis of functional diversity was performed, where indices of distance, richness, and functional dispersion were calculated in each hydroperiod. Statistical differences in functional replacement were found for only one of the ponds; however, the other ponds showed a similar trend. These results fit the functional turnover ecological hypothesis in that the response of the aquatic and semiaquatic macroinvertebrate communities was associated with the hydroperiod of the ponds based on the habitat "templet" theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles are man-made materials defined as materials smaller than 100 nm in at least one dimension. Titanium oxide nanoparticles are of great interest because of their extensive use in self-care products. There is a lack of nanotoxicological studies of TiO2 NPs in benthic organisms to have evidence about the effects of these pollutants in freshwater ecosystems. Atya lanipes is a scraper/filter that can provide a good nanotoxicological model. This study aims to determine how the TiO2 NPs can develop a toxic effect in the larvae of the Atya lanipes shrimp and to document lethal and sublethal effects after acute exposures to TiO2 NP suspensions of: 0.0, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0, 100.0, and 150.0 mg/L. The results show that early exposure to TiO2 NPs in Atya lanipes creates an increase in mortality at 48 and 72 h exposures, hypoactivity in movements, and morphological changes, such as less pigmentation and the presence of edema in exposed larvae. In conclusion, TiO2 NPs are toxic contaminants in the larval stage of the Atya lanipes. It is necessary to regulate these nanoparticles for purposes of the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, especially for freshwater shrimp larvae and likely many other larvae of filter-feeding species.

Stoneflies are a globally threatened aquatic insect order. In Arkansas, a diverse group of winter stonefly (Capniidae: Allocapnia) have not been surveyed since the 1980s, likely because species-level identification requires the rarely-collected adult form. Allocapnia mohri, a regional endemic, was previously commonly found in mountainous, intermittent streams from the Ouachita Mountains ecoregion north to the Ozark Highlands, but no species distributional models including land use or climate variables exist to our knowledge. We collected adults from 71 stream reaches from the historic Arkansas range from November to April 2020 and 2021. We modeled distributions using random forest (RF) models populated with landscape, climate, and both data to determine which were most predictive of species presence. Correlations between landscape or climate variables and presence were examined using multiple logistic regression. The landscape RF models performed better than the climate or landscape + climate RF models. A. mohri presence sites tended to have a greater elevation, a lower mean July temperature, and a greater percentage of very slow infiltration soils in the watershed, compared to absence sites. A. mohri was absent at the Ouachita Mountains sites and may be experiencing a range contraction or migration northward.

Hydrobioid gastropods are abundant in coastal systems and ecologically important for ecosystem functioning. We aimed to unravel the relationship between usual and stress-related population attributes of the dominant macrofaunal species Heleobia australis with indicators of environmental quality and coastal pollution. Using Guanabara Bay (GB, Brazil) as a model of a multi-impacted coastal system, our hypothesis is that increased amounts of rainfall during the warm season reduce the bay’s environmental quality and induce shifts in snail population attributes. A suite of environmental variables, population attributes, and sediment quality descriptors was assessed by combining field and laboratory evaluations with literature compilation. Results indicate high organic pollution levels with environmental degradation and reinforce GB status as a severely contaminated system. Some environmental conditions can be applied as seasonal predictors of changes in warm-rainy (rainfall and salinity), intermediate (silicate), and cold-dry seasons (nitrite and nitrate). Three selected usual population attributes (snail density, fecundity, and recruitment) were not affected by changes in environmental conditions, but significant effects were detected on two stress-related attributes (relative penis length index and shell deformity). For the first time, shell deformity was recorded in H. australis snails. Low variation in usual population attributes highlight the high tolerance of H. australis to shifts in environmental conditions.

The species-area relationship (SAR) is a well-established, globally recognized ecological pattern, and research on SAR has expanded to include the phylogenetic diversity-area relationship (PDAR). However, this research has generally been limited to terrestrial systems. Using data on freshwater macroinvertebrates, the log–log form of the SAR and PDAR power models were compared between the Lhasa River and the Niyang River on the Tibetan Plateau in China. The study reveals that there is a significant difference in the slopes of SAR and PDAR between the two rivers, with the Lhasa River having a considerably higher slope. The beta diversity calculations in these two basins support this pattern, with the Lhasa River exhibiting significantly higher numbers of species and greater total phylogenetic beta diversity than the Niyang River. Regarding species replacement, the turnover component was the primary driver of both species and phylogenetic beta diversity in both rivers. These differences in the beta diversity components were mainly driven by dispersal constraints because spatial distance had a large effect on total beta diversity and turnover fractions. In addition, the nestedness component was more affected by climate and land cover, indicating that highland rivers are subject to the threats of anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Therefore, spatial factors play a crucial role in determining the distribution of passively dispersed benthic organisms as the scale of change in rivers increases from local to regional effects.

This study explores the impact of anthropogenic land use changes on the macroinvertebrate community structure in the streams of the Cangshan Mountains. Through field collections of macroinvertebrates, measurement of water environments, and delineation of riparian zone land use in eight streams, we analyzed the relationship between land use types, stream water environments, and macroinvertebrate diversities. The results demonstrate urban land use type and water temperature are the key environmental factors driving the differences in macroinvertebrate communities up-, mid-, and downstream. The disturbed streams had lower aquatic biodiversity than those in their natural state, showing a decrease in disturbance-sensitive aquatic insect taxa and a more similar community structure. In the natural woodland area, species distributions may be constrained by watershed segmentation and present more complex community characteristics.

The loss of biodiversity in the era of fast environmental change is often revealed as biotic homogenization. In the large and nutrient-rich Lake Taihu located in eastern China, we evaluated the degree of specialization among organisms and the impact of environmental factors on macroinvertebrate assemblages. First, we measured the niche widths of macroinvertebrate species in respect to environmental conditions and utilized the Outlying Mean Index (OMI) analysis to categorize them into specialists and generalists. The effects of environmental factors on assemblages of macroinvertebrate taxa identified by varying niche widths were then investigated using the lake dataset. Within our study lake, habitats display considerable environmental gradients, resulting in habitat heterogeneity linked to several habitats, and have no barriers to species migration. Generalist macroinvertebrate taxa dominated the macroinvertebrate assemblages in our study lake, but some differences were evident among the different habitat types of the lake. The macrophyte-dominated habitat (MDH) displayed the highest species richness for both generalists (11 species) and specialists (8 species), while the algal-dominated habitat (ADH) had lower richness but higher overall abundances. Generalist species showed the largest abundances, exhibiting considerable spatial heterogeneity among the sampled sites. Our results showed that generalists shape macroinvertebrate assemblages through their abundance and richness variation in large shallow lakes. Furthermore, strong environmental gradients and a high degree of habitat connectivity within large lakes allow specialist and intermediate species to maintain high richness in resource-rich habitats, in addition to generalist species also maintaining high abundance in such lakes.

The rapid and continuous loss of biodiversity highlights the urgent need for research on functional diversity. Although the study of functional diversity has exploded in the past two decades, there is no clear guidance on how traits should be selected for index calculation, which significantly influences functional diversity results. To fill this gap, we explored how the functional diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates has been estimated over the past 20 years and how it differs across continents and water bodies. We found that Europe is the absolute centre of research in this area and that most of the research comes from studies of European lotic waters. By fitting cumulative frequencies to the number of articles using different numbers of traits, our results showed that approximately 80% of the studies used no more than 12 traits to estimate functional diversity. Furthermore, by exploring the use frequency of numbers and types of traits in different regions and water bodies and combining them with trait grouping, we recommend the use of traits evenly from four trait groups to calculate functional diversity indices. This selection strategy can contribute to the unification of functional diversity estimations and comparative studies of different regions, thus helping to better understand and manage biodiversity loss worldwide.

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Microplastics are a globally pervasive pollutant with the potential to directly impact species and accumulate in ecosystems. However, there remains a relative paucity of research addressing their accumulation in freshwater ecosystems and a near absence of work in crayfish, despite their high ecological and economic importance. This study investigated the presence of microplastics in the invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus along a stream urbanization gradient. The results demonstrate a ubiquitous presence of microplastics in crayfish digestive tracts at all sites and provide the first evidence of microplastic accumulation in tail tissue. Evidence of a positive linear trend was demonstrated between microplastic concentration in crayfish and upstream urban area size in generalized linear models. Evidence for a positive effect of the upstream urban area and a negative effect of crayfish length on microplastic concentrations in crayfish was demonstrated in multiple generalized linear regression models. Our results extend the current understanding of microplastics presence in freshwater ecosystems and demonstrate their presence in crayfish in the wild for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Kosovo. The Leqinat lake (great lake) is a mountain lake found in National Park "Bjeshkët e Nemuna" in western Kosovo, shared between Kosovo and Montenegro. Macrozoobenthos specimens were collected with D-frame net of 30 x 20 cm (600 cm2) diameter. Samples were taken from all available habitats represented with more than 5% of total habitat area on the sampling stretch (multi-habitat sampling procedure). Sampling in riffle section of the lake was done by identifying the riffle segments, disturbing the substratum with the feet while holding the net downstream with the mouth facing upstream. The macrozoobenthos structure during this investigation includes: 2 classes (Bivalvia and Gastropoda), 2 subclasses (Hirudinea and Oligochaeta), 6 orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Odonata), 15 families, 6 genera and 86 specimens. The larger number of families and individuals belongs to the Odonata order (4 family and 47 specimens) followed Tirchoptera (2 family and 10 specimens), Plecoptera (2 family and 6 specimens), Bivalvia (2 family with 5 specimens) Diptera (1 family with 12 specimens), Ephemeroptera and Hirudinea (1 family with 3 specimens) and Oligochaeta (1 family with only specimens). This investigation is a contribution in knowing the macroinvertebrate fauna and their ecological patterns in alpine lakes in Kosovo.

Monitoring of river aims to determine the condition of water quality. One alternative effort that can be used to have description of water quality is by reviewing the condition of the river's physical habitat. In this regard, the physical habitat condition will affect the presence of macroinvertebrates. The aims of this study was to determine the quality of river by observing the physical habitat of the river and the presence of macroinvertebrates. Data collection techniques are carried out spatially by dividing the river into several segments by taking into the state of the environment which include industry area, agriculture (rice field) area, housing area, pipe oil area and the springhead of the river. Based on the results of the study, it shown that the condition of river waters can be categorized in an unhealthy condition. This can be seen from the type of substrate cover, river bank stability and human activities in the river. It causes by eroding, agricultural activities, livestock, waste disposal, sand mining and garbage disposal. These conditions also affect the composition of macroinvertebrates found in this waters, which have a high level of tolerance in unhealthy physical habitat conditions such as Limnodrilus sp. and Aulodrilus sp

Stoneflies are a globally threatened aquatic insect order. In Arkansas, a diverse group of winter stonefly (Capniidae: Allocapnia) have not been surveyed since the 1980s, likely because species-level identification requires the rarely-collected adult form. Allocapnia mohri, a regional endemic, was previously commonly found in mountainous, intermittent streams from the Ouachita Mountains ecoregion north to the Ozark Highlands, but no species distributional models including land use or climate variables exist to our knowledge. We collected adults from 71 stream reaches from the historic Arkansas range from November to April 2020 and 2021. We modeled distributions using random forest (RF) models populated with landscape, climate, and both data to determine which were most predictive of species presence. Correlations between landscape or climate variables and presence were examined using multiple logistic regression. The landscape RF models performed better than the climate or landscape + climate RF models. A. mohri presence sites tended to have a greater elevation, a lower mean July temperature, and a greater percentage of very slow infiltration soils in the watershed, compared to absence sites. A. mohri was absent at the Ouachita Mountains sites and may be experiencing a range contraction or migration northward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large invertebrates are known as biological indicators of their living environments. The present study was carried out in line with the quality monitoring studies of Zhaveh dam, which was constructed on the two branches of Gheshlagh and Gaveh River (Kurdistan Province). The purpose of this study was to investigate the large invertebrates in the river in order to determine the density and abundance of different large invertebrates and the quality of river water based on Hilsenhoff biological index. Large invertebrates sampling was done seasonally from autumn 2020 to summer 2021 (4 seasons) at 5 stations with 3 replications. Samples were fixed with 70% ethyl alcohol and isolated, counted and counted in the laboratory. Large invertebrates were identified using a stereomicroscope and a valid key. The Hilsenhoff biological index was determined based on the presence of samples at each station. The results of the study of large invertebrates in different seasons and during one year showed that organisms belonging to 10 families from 5 order belonging to Hirudinea, Insecta, Crustacea, Oligochaeta and Bivalvia. Results showed that the highest abundance belonged to station 5 (34%) and lowest abundance belonged to station 2 (7%). The highest value of Hilsenhoff index was observed in spring (7.45) and the lowest value of this index was related to autumn (6.79). According to the HFBI Biological index, the water quality was classified as very poor and highly polluted due to its proximity to the effluent outlet of the treatment plant and further investigations are suggested for any exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrobioid gastropods are abundant in coastal systems and ecologically important for ecosystem functioning. We aimed to unravel the relationship between usual and stress-related population attributes of the dominant macrofaunal species Heleobia australis with indicators of environmental quality and coastal pollution. Using Guanabara Bay (GB, Brazil) as a model of a multi-impacted coastal system, our hypothesis is that increased amounts of rainfall during the warm season reduce the bay's environmental quality and induce shifts in snail population attributes. A suite of environmental variables, population attributes, and sediment quality descriptors was assessed by combining field and laboratory evaluations with literature compilation. Results indicate high organic pollution levels with environmental degradation and reinforce GB status as a severely contaminated system. Some environmental conditions can be applied as seasonal predictors of changes in warm-rainy (rainfall and salinity), intermediate (silicate), and cold-dry seasons (nitrite and nitrate). Three selected usual population attributes (snail density, fecundity, and recruitment) were not affected by changes in environmental conditions, but significant effects were detected on two stress-related attributes (relative penis length index and shell deformity). For the first time, shell deformity was recorded in H. australis snails. Low variation in usual population attributes highlight the high tolerance of H. australis to shifts in environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles are man-made materials defined as materials smaller than 100 nm in at least one dimension. Titanium oxide nanoparticles are of great interest because of their extensive use in self-care products. There is a lack of nanotoxicological studies of TiO2 NPs in benthic organisms to have evidence about the effects of these pollutants in freshwater ecosystems. Atya lanipes is a scraper/filter that can provide a good nanotoxicological model. This study aims to determine how the TiO2 NPs can develop a toxic effect in the larvae of the Atya lanipes shrimp and to document lethal and sublethal effects after acute exposures to TiO2 NP suspensions of: 0.0, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0, 100.0, and 150.0 mg/L. The results show that early exposure to TiO2 NPs in Atya lanipes creates an increase in mortality at 48 and 72 h exposures, hypoactivity in movements, and morphological changes, such as less pigmentation and the presence of edema in exposed larvae. In conclusion, TiO2 NPs are toxic contaminants in the larval stage of the Atya lanipes. It is necessary to regulate these nanoparticles for purposes of the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, especially for freshwater shrimp larvae and likely many other larvae of filter-feeding species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been an increasing effort to construct dams across rivers to control the flow of the streams and secure water storage, and river damming has become one of the most prominent human impacts on the freshwater ecosystem. Nonetheless, the effect of river damming on the river ecosystem is only partially understood in Ethiopia. This study is aimed to assess the ecological effect of small dams on macroinvertebrate assemblages and the water quality of the Koga River ecosystem. A total of 15 sites; five from upstream, five from the dam, and five from downstream of the Koga River was sampled for macroinvertebrates and water quality parameters. The sampling was done from September to November 2016. A total of 40 families of macroinvertebrates were recorded, among which Coenagrionidae, Belostomatidae, Naucoridae, and Physidae were the most abundant. The biodiversity of macroinvertebrates was significantly higher in the downstream location of Koga Dam, where there was an attenuated sediment load to the river. Among the functional feeding groups, the percentage of filterer-collectors was higher in the upstream locations, whereas scraper families were higher in the downstream locations of the dam. Vegetation cover, turbidity, and pH were identified as the most important water quality factors delineating the pattern of macroinvertebrate community structure in the river system. Turbidity and orthophosphate concentrations were higher in the upstream sampling locations. The average sediment layer thickness was higher on the upstream side of the dam. The results suggest that sediment adversely affects the macroinvertebrate assemblage. Higher concentrations of sediment and phosphate were noted in the upstream location of the dam. The water quality (turbidity and nutrient concentrations) of the stream was affected by River Damming by influencing the sediment and nutrient dynamics of the river. Therefore, planning and implementation of an integrated watershed and dam management system are suggested to prolong the useful lifespan of the dam and sustain its ecological integrity.

Abstract Microplastics are a globally pervasive pollutant with the potential to directly impact species and accumulate in ecosystems. However, there remains a relative paucity of research addressing their accumulation in freshwater ecosystems and a near absence of work in crayfish, despite their high ecological and economic importance. This study investigated the presence of microplastics in the invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus along a stream urbanization gradient. The results demonstrate a ubiquitous presence of microplastics in crayfish digestive tracts at all sites and provide the first evidence of microplastic accumulation in tail tissue. Evidence of a positive linear trend was demonstrated between microplastic concentration in crayfish and upstream urban area size in generalized linear models. Evidence for a positive effect of the upstream urban area and a negative effect of crayfish length on microplastic concentrations in crayfish was demonstrated in multiple generalized linear regression models. Our results extend the current understanding of microplastics presence in freshwater ecosystems and demonstrate their presence in crayfish in the wild for the first time.

Benthic macroinvertebrate protocols, in the United States, have been integral in the implementation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972)). The methods in these protocols are designed to describe patterns of biological water quality and ecological condition relevant to legislative oversight, and require a tradeoff between taxonomic precision and protocol simplicity. The global similarity of ecological and evolutionary responses to the challenges of life in flowing waters, by stream organisms, has greatly facilitated the development and implementation of biological data from freshwater mussels, fishes and aquatic insects into streamlined regulatory frameworks. Unfortunately, the factors that expedite the use of benthic data into ecological descriptions sufficient for regulatory processes (taxonomic generalizations, standardization of sampling procedures to focus on a narrow subset of available habitats) also limit the utility of these methods in the conservation of benthic macroinvertebrate species (the large majority of which are insects). Using simple hypothetical simulations, some examples from a taxonomic and ecological database of one state in the USA (Illinois), and data from a large-scale inventory of aquatic insect species in a network of US National Parks, I illustrate how these methods are limited in their ability to effectively describe ecological patterns relevant to the conservation of aquatic insect species. I identify, challenge, and explore three basic assumptions implicit to the genus- and family-level identification methods widely used in freshwater benthic science, then discuss how the failure of these assumptions may create empirical, theoretical and philosophical obstacles to the interpretation of data and certainly hinder the conservation of species. I offer some hopeful suggestions for improving aquatic insect species conservation that are within the reach of all benthic freshwater ecologists.

Plastic materials are increasingly present in our lives. It is estimated that more than 360 million tonnes of plastics are produced annually worldwide. Particularly, single-use plastics represent an important segment in plastic production. In this context, plastic contamination, and consequently microplastic release, has become a growing concern for aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics (