Use of functional traits to assess changes in stream fish assemblages across a habitat gradient

Abstract

Functional traits are important for understanding the links between species occurrence and environmental conditions. Identifying these links makes it possible to predict changes in species composition within communities under specific environmental conditions. We used functional traits related to habitat use and trophic ecology in order to assess the changes in fish community composition between streams with varying habitat structure. The relationship between the species traits and habitat characteristics was analyzed using an RLQ ordination analysis. Although species were widely distributed in habitats with different structures, physical conditions did favor some species based on their functional characteristics. Eight functional traits were found to be associated with stream habitat structure, allowing us to identify traits that may predict the susceptibility of fish species to physical habitat degradation.Os atributos funcionais são importantes para entender a ligação entre ocorrência das espécies e condições ambientais, permitindo predizer sobre as mudanças na composição de espécies em comunidades submetidas a condições ambientais específicas. Utilizamos atributos funcionais relacionados com o uso de habitat e ecologia trófica para avaliar as mudanças na composição de espécies de peixes em riachos com diferenças na estrutura física. O relacionamento entre os atributos das espécies e as variáveis ambientais foi avaliado por meio da análise de ordenação RLQ. Embora algumas espécies tenham sido amplamente distribuídas em hábitats com diferentes características, outras foram restritas por essas condições e este relacionamento está associado com as características morfológicas. Oito atributos funcionais foram capazes de detectar as variações na estrutura física do hábitat em riachos, permitindo a identificação de atributos que podem predizer a suscetibilidade das espécies de peixes para a degradação física do hábitat.

Relationships between forest cover and fish diversity in the Amazon River floodplain

“…cichlids) and benthic fishes (e.g. catfishes) are well adapted to forage within the structurally complex micro‐habitats of flooded forests (Ribeiro et al., ). Fishes with equilibrium life‐history strategies, such as the mouth‐brooding aruana ( Osteoglossum bichirosum ) and cichlids with bi‐parental brood guarding, may have enhanced offspring survival and recruitment within structurally complex habitats of flooded forests that provide cover from predators.…”

Is it possible to simplify environmental monitoring? Approaches with zooplankton in a hydroelectric reservoir

“…The increase of impacted areas affects directly and indirectly the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, highly contributing to the extinction of species (Ceballos et al, 2015). In this way, the monitoring of the biological communities becomes an important practice to evaluate the level of environmental degradation, mainly through variations in richness, density, and functional traits (Harmon et al, 2009;Ribeiro et al, 2016).…”

Fish community response to environmental variations in an impacted Neotropical basin

“…In Southern Brazil, no-tillage crops adopt the system fertilisation concept, in which the total amount of fertiliser required by the summer cultures is applied during the winter to accelerate the planting and reducing the supplies, machinery and labour costs (Bolliger et al, 2006). macroinvertebrates (Cobb, Galloway, & Flannagan, 1992) and fish communities (Casatti et al, 2012;Ribeiro, Teresa, & Casatti, 2016 (Casatti et al, 2012;Ribeiro et al, 2016). While O. paranensis depends on the allochthonous resources originated from the riparian vegetation (Shibatta et al, 2007), the remaining species explore resources dependent on stable substrates, including the periphyton and benthonic macroinvertebrates (Braga, Gomiero, & Souza, 2008;Rondineli, Carmassi, & Braga, 2009;Sazima, 1980;Villares-Junior, Cardone, & Goitein, 2016).…”