Article
Ecology
Benjamin B. Tumolo, Sarah M. Collins, Yawen Guan, Amy C. Krist
Summary: The relationship between resource quantity and quality and species richness at different spatial scales was evaluated in this study. It was found that at the local scale, species richness peaked at intermediate levels of resource quantity (chlorophyll a), but had a shallow negative relationship with resource quality (periphyton C:P and N:P). However, at the regional scale, species richness had a strong negative relationship with resource quantity and quality. This suggests that resource quantity has a greater impact on biodiversity than resource quality, consistent with patterns of eutrophication.
Article
Ecology
Sai Wang, Tuan-Tuan Wang, Wen-Tong Xia, Zhong-Bing Chen, Simon D. Stewart, Feng-Juan Yang, Gong Cheng, Xiao-Di Wang, Ding-Ying Wang, Song-Guang Xie
Summary: The utilization of food resources by aquatic consumers in the Liuxi River is mainly dependent on diatom-dominated periphyton, aquatic C-3 plants, and suspended particulate organic matter, highlighting the importance of inherent producers in river ecosystems. The study suggests that protecting these producers and restoring their habitats are crucial for effective aquatic ecosystem management.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuping Xiang, Guangliang Liu, Yongguang Yin, Yong Cai
Summary: Periphyton in the Florida Everglades plays a significant role in the distribution and bioaccumulation of MeHg in water systems.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhifeng Huang, Abdul Qadeer, Saisai Zheng, Fangfang Ge, Kexin Zhang, Daqiang Yin, Binghui Zheng, Xingru Zhao
Summary: This study investigated the concentrations of PCB congeners, stable isotope levels, and FAs composition in ten freshwater species of Dongtinghu Lake, China. The results showed that the concentrations of certain PCB congeners increased with trophic levels, while PCB 155 concentrations remained consistent across trophic levels. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between FAs and PCBs, indicating that FAs can serve as efficient bioindicators of PCB pollution in aquatic food webs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhixin Ke, Ruofei Li, Danting Chen, Chunyu Zhao, Yehui Tan
Summary: This study investigated the spatial and seasonal distributions of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in dominant zooplankton groups in Jiaozhou Bay. The results showed that the distributions of these isotopes were influenced by terrigenous organic matter input and phytoplankton biomass, with variations observed in different seasons. The study also found a correlation between small zooplankton stable isotope values and particulate organic matter. The influence of anthropogenic nutrient input on isotopic baseline and trophic levels of zooplankton groups was discussed.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anthony Sturbois, Julien Cucherousset, Miquel De Caceres, Nicolas Desroy, Pascal Riera, Alexandre Carpentier, Nolwenn Quillien, Jacques Grall, Boris Espinasse, Yves Cherel, Gauthier Schaal
Summary: Ecologists working with stable isotopes face challenges in analyzing and representing complex datasets with temporal and spatial replication. A lack of commonly accepted conceptual framework in stable isotope ecology has hindered quantitative detection of functional patterns. The community trajectory analysis (CTA) framework provides more explicit perspectives for ecological trajectories. Building on CTA, the Stable Isotope Trajectory Analysis (SITA) framework allows quantitative analysis of stable isotope spatial and temporal dynamics and offers new graphical representation solutions.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Yeon Jee Suh, Min-Seob Kim, Won-Kyung Lee, Hyunjin Yoon, Inkyeong Moon, Jaewoo Jung, Se-Jong Ju
Summary: This study investigated energy sources and trophic interactions among vent fauna in deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the North Fiji Basin. The findings indicate that symbiont-bearing taxa have different carbon fixation pathways or nutrient preferences. Niche partitioning was observed among omnivores, with different resources or microhabitats being utilized. The crab was found to be the top predator in the ecosystem, consuming a variety of prey but with a lower preference for mussels. Overall, the vent fauna displayed non-overlapping diets and spatial niches, with each taxon having unique energy sources.
Review
Ecology
MacKenzie K. Kjeldgaard, Jeremy A. Hewlett, Micky D. Eubanks
Summary: Stable isotope analysis is widely used to estimate trophic position and provide insight into ecological communities, but the variation in baselines and methodologies may lead to biased or erroneous conclusions. It is recommended to combine stable isotope analysis with other techniques, increase sample size, and use specific methods to enhance the robustness and accuracy of conclusions based on stable isotopes.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Philip J. Manlick, Seth D. Newsome
Summary: Animals consume resources through multiple energy channels, connecting food webs and driving trophic structure. Stable isotope 'fingerprints' can trace energy flow in wild systems. This study shows that ΔC-13 fingerprints accurately measure energy flow to vertebrate consumers and can estimate multichannel feeding at various temporal scales.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jie Feng, Xiaolong Zhao, Fan Bi, Wei Zhao, Liang Zhao, Hao Song, Meijie Yang, Zhi Hu, Cong Zhou, Pu Shi, Pengpeng Hu, Peizhen Ma, Pengfei Sun, Han Jiang, Jiangling Xu, Tao Zhang
Summary: This study used stable isotope analysis to investigate the food web structure and functions of an artificial reef (AR) ecosystem. The results showed that the δ13C and δ15N values of the particulate organic matter (POM) in the AR exhibited noticeable seasonal changes, with higher δ13C values in autumn. Phytoplankton was identified as the primary nutrient source in the AR ecosystem. Invertebrates had trophic levels between 2.00 and 3.09, while fish had trophic levels between 2.98 and 3.66. Bivalve shellfish and zooplankton were found to be important food sources for fish in the AR ecosystem.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Baoming Ge, Jing Zhou, Ruiping Yang, Senhao Jiang, Li Yang, Boping Tang
Summary: Land reclamation, an ancient practice, has evolved over time due to population growth and societal changes. This study focused on a reclaimed area on the coast of the Yellow Sea in Jiangsu, China, approximately 100 years ago, revealing that lower-intensity land use conversion can increase soil macrofaunal biodiversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rossana Caroni, Roberta Piscia, Gary Free, Marina Manca
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal and interannual variations in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in the zooplankton crustacean community of Lake Maggiore in Italy. Different taxa and groups of zooplankton showed distinct carbon isotopic signatures, providing insights into their food sources and niche partitioning. The study found that water temperature and chlorophyll a were positively correlated with the carbon isotopic signatures of the zooplankton community. Moreover, the changing environmental parameters matched the trends in carbon isotopic signatures of certain zooplankton taxa. These results suggest that climate warming affects the availability of food sources and environmental conditions in Lake Maggiore, thereby influencing the isotopic signatures of zooplankton.
Article
Ecology
Kenny W. J. Chua, Jia Huan Liew, Clare L. Wilkinson, Amirrudin B. Ahmad, Heok Hui Tan, Darren C. J. Yeo
Summary: Studies have shown that food chain length is determined by interactions between species richness, ecosystem size, and resource availability. While impacts of land-use change on stream food chains were found to be limited in the short term, the potential loss of trophic redundancy implies increasing vulnerability of streams to future disturbances with ongoing land conversion.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tuan-Tuan Wang, Xiao-Di Wang, Ding-Ying Wang, Shi-Di Fan, Sai Wang, Zhong- Bing Chen, En-Ni Wu, Yang Zhang, Cong-Cong Jin, Zhuo-Luo Ma, Wen-Tong Xia, Ling Mo
Summary: Environmental DNA metabarcoding is an effective method for assessing the diversity and biomarkers of aquatic invertebrate communities. Different wetland types exhibit significant differences in taxonomic composition and environmental impacts on invertebrate community structure. Understanding the composition and ecological characteristics of invertebrates is crucial for the conservation and management of wetland ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaodi Zheng, Guilin Han, Bin Liang, Guangyou Zhu
Summary: Understanding Zn biogeochemical cycling is crucial for sustainable development and monitoring Zn supply during land use conversion. Little is known about the impact of paddy soil conversion to abandoned land on Zn isotope signature. A field observation in Thailand showed that Zn retention was slightly higher in paddy soils compared to abandoned paddy soils, and more Zn isotopes entered the river during rice cultivation cessation in abandoned paddy soils. Rice harvest and root decay contributed to heavy 66Zn isotopes accumulation, and the release of assimilated Zn and high Zn adsorption in the Fe-SOM-metal(loid)s ternary system influenced Zn concentration in paddy soils. These findings provide valuable insights into the terrestrial Zn geochemical cycle.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Roxane J. Francis, Kate J. Brandis, Bruce C. Chessman, Eve Slavich, Richard T. Kingsford
Summary: This study investigated the effects of river flows and water quality on the abundance and nutritional status of three freshwater turtle species in dryland rivers in Australia. The results showed that the abundance and nutritional status of the turtles were not significantly influenced by river flows, but were related to factors such as macrophyte cover and electrical conductivity. Hematological measurements suggested that the turtles had healthy nutritional status.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bruce C. Chessman
Summary: Constructed wetlands may provide important recruitment sites for freshwater turtles, with more even distribution of body size and faster body growth in artificial ponds compared to natural ponds. Additionally, diet composition did not differ significantly between the two types of ponds.
Article
Fisheries
Bruce C. Chessman
Summary: Controlled mesocosm experiments can partition the effects of different drivers and contribute to our understanding of the influence of environmental factors on freshwater assemblages. This article responds to a dispute over the results of such an experiment, in which one study concluded that the effects of salinity on stream invertebrates were modified by biotic interactions, while another study questioned this conclusion and conducted a statistical analysis.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Robert J. Rolls, Bruce C. Chessman, Jani Heino, Ben Wolfenden, Lisa A. Thurtell, Katherine J. M. Cheshire, David Ryan, Gavin Butler, Ivor Growns, Graeme Curwen
Summary: This study examines the effects of hydrology on fish beta diversity in lowland rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia. The findings suggest that the impact of drought and flooding on beta diversity is context-dependent and not broadly generalisable. The study also shows that hydrological fluctuations did not significantly homogenize or differentiate freshwater fish assemblages in the study area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruce C. Chessman, Leon Metzeling, David P. Robinson
Summary: This study developed an Australian Macroinvertebrate Flow Index (AMFI) based on Australian invertebrate data, which can be used to monitor ecological responses to climate change and water resource use. The index demonstrated strong predictive ability under different flow conditions and further development and testing of the index was recommended.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
J. E. Ruprecht, I. P. King, S. M. Mitrovic, K. A. Dafforn, B. M. Miller, M. Deiber, D. P. Westhorpe, J. N. Hitchcock, A. J. Harrison, W. C. Glamore
Summary: Eutrophication caused by excessive anthropogenic nutrients in waterways is a global issue, and the response of waterways to nutrient loading is influenced by hydrodynamics and microbial processing. This paper presents a coupled hydrodynamic and aquatic ecosystem response model, validated using a unique long-term water quality dataset in southeastern Australia. The results show that explicit time-varying bacterial mineralisation rates improve the understanding of aquatic ecosystem response, and the model is sensitive to boundary conditions and the presence of a microbial loop.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jordan A. Facey, Laura E. Michie, Josh J. King, James N. Hitchcock, Simon C. Apte, Simon M. Mitrovic
Summary: This study found that thermal stratification and nitrogen availability are the primary drivers of changes in cyanobacterial community structure in Mannus Lake, Australia. The initial dominance of Chrysosporum ovalisporum blooms may be due to nitrogen limitation and persistent thermal stratification. However, mixing events caused the senescence of the C. ovalisporum bloom and promoted the growth of non-diazotrophic cyanobacteria, although at lower biovolumes.
Article
Ecology
Lloyd P. Werry, Mirco Bundschuh, Simon M. Mitrovic, Richard P. Lim, Ben J. Kefford
Summary: This study investigated the rate of leaf litter breakdown in alpine streams and how temperature and other factors influenced this process. The results showed that water temperature had a significant impact on the rate of leaf litter breakdown, with higher rates observed during warmer deployment periods and at lower elevations. Additionally, both microbial and macroinvertebrate activities were equally important in leaf litter breakdown.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jordan A. Facey, Jake P. Violi, Josh J. King, Chowdhury Sarowar, Simon C. Apte, Simon M. Mitrovic
Summary: Microcystis aeruginosa, a widespread cyanobacteria, exhibits growth limitation when iron, cobalt, and manganese are excluded from the growth media. Intracellular iron concentrations are notably higher in treatments grown in cobalt-deplete media compared to other treatments.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sercan Pravadali-Cekic, Jake P. Violi, Simon M. Mitrovic, Kenneth J. Rodgers, David Bishop
Summary: Non-protein amino acids (NPAAs) are a class of amino acids that are not involved in protein synthesis. Analysis of NPAAs provides valuable information, with the neurotoxic NPAA beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) being of particular interest due to its association with neurodegenerative diseases. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is a commonly used technique for AA analysis, but inconsistent results in the study of BMAA in algae can be attributed to unvalidated sample preparation and extraction methods.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Matthew J. Balzer, James N. Hitchcock, Wade L. Hadwen, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Douglas P. Westhorpe, Craig Boys, Simon M. Mitrovic
Summary: There is ongoing debate about the importance of allochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) during large flow events in riverine food webs. A mesocosm experiment was conducted to examine the effects of floodplain DOM on the lower food web in an Australian lowland river. The results showed that the addition of tDOM led to increases in zooplankton and mixotrophic algae, and mixotrophs played a significant role in driving changes in primary consumer growth and supporting secondary production.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ellery B. B. Johnson, Craig Boys, James Hitchcock, Wade Hadwen, Stewart Fielder, Jordan A. A. Facey, Simon M. M. Mitrovic
Summary: Freshwater inflows play a role in fish abundance and catch rates in estuaries. This study investigated the impact of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) on the growth of juvenile Australian bass. The addition of tDOM at higher concentrations resulted in significant improvements in the length parameters of the fish, indicating that tDOM can contribute to their growth and development. These findings suggest that freshwater inflows delivering terrestrial resources are important for estuarine fish.
Article
Ecology
Lauren O'Brien, Nachshon Siboni, Justin R. Seymour, Matthew Balzer, Simon Mitrovic
Summary: Inflows from unregulated tributaries have a significant impact on microbial community structure and function in regulated rivers. This study investigated the effects of tributary inflows on bacterial community composition and bacterial carbon production (BCP) in the Lachlan River of eastern Australia. The results showed that increased inflows led to a more diverse bacterial community in the regulated mainstem, with a shift towards bacterial groups that prefer humic substances and a decrease in a group that metabolizes algal exudates. Orthophosphate and river discharge were identified as major drivers for the community change. BCP initially decreased with tributary inflows, but increased significantly due to increased water volume. Dissolved organic carbon, water temperature, and conductivity were the key factors driving BCP. Notably, BCP was not influenced by bacterial diversity or community composition. These findings highlight the importance of tributary inflows in shaping the bacterial community and carbon assimilation in riverine ecosystems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sercan Pravadali-Cekic, Aleksandar Vojvodic, Jake P. Violi, Simon M. Mitrovic, Kenneth J. Rodgers, David P. Bishop
Summary: This study presents a newly developed and validated method for the detection and quantification of BMAA, its isomers, and major MCs using RP LC-MS/MS. The application of this method on a culture of Microcystis aeruginosa resulted in the simultaneous detection of 2,4-DAB and MC-YR. The study provides a unified method for the quantitative analysis of these cyanotoxins in natural environmental samples.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Bruce C. Chessman
Summary: Introduced red foxes in southeastern Australia are said to destroy nearly 95% of nests of freshwater turtles, but available data shows that predation rates are similar to North America where native predators also exist. Australian native species can be effective nest predators, but their role has likely been taken over by foxes to some extent.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
