A simple method to estimate spatial complexity in aquatic plants

Dibble, Eric D.; Thomaz, Sidinei Magela

doi:10.1590/s1516-89132006000400010

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…It is important to point out, however, that we studied beds formed by only two macrophyte species (E. densa and E. najas), both with similar architecture and intermediate levels of morphological complexity (Cook & Urmi-Konig, 1984;Dibble & Thomaz, 2006). If patches have different macrophyte life forms (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under such circumstances, macrophyte biomass may constitute an adequate predictor. On the other hand, if patches have many coexisting macrophyte species, the use of alternative metrics such as the index of morphological complexity (Dibble & Thomaz, 2006) or fractal geometry (Thomaz et al, 2008), combined with quantitative measures (as biomass), seems more appropriate. In this case, we presume that predictions at small spatial extents will become more complex and difficult, because surface area effects (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Variables BIOM and VOL represent the amount of under-water structure, but they may fail to surrogate microhabitat complexity in some circumstances, especially when the plants are morphologically simple or different life forms are present. Egeria species, however, show intermediate levels of spatial complexity compared to other macrophytes (Dibble & Thomaz, 2006), E. densa and E. najas have similar architecture (Cook & UrmiKonig, 1984), and no other macrophyte species was recorded in the sampled patches. These assumptions make our patches comparable and justify the use of these variables as surrogates of submerged spatial structure.…”

Section: Fish-habitat Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Simple relationships to predict attributes of fish assemblages in patches of submerged macrophytes

2008

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Submerged macrophytes play an important role in structuring habitats and, therefore, in determining patterns of aquatic biodiversity. Because these plants are widespread in shallow areas of many Neotropical reservoirs, the present work investigated if variables related to habitat structure, measured in patches of submerged macrophytes (Egeria densa and E. najas), can be used to predict fish assemblage attributes (fish density and species richness). Based on patch characteristics at fine spatial extents (macrophyte patches within reservoir arms), we considered plant biomass, volume and proportional volume (i.e. percentage of macrophyte volume in the water column) as potential predictors. Fish and macrophytes were sampled with a 1-m 2 throw trap in littoral habitats of Rosana Reservoir, Paranapanema River, and simple correlation analyses were performed. Fish richness and abundance were highly correlated with all variables (R = 0.53 to 0.90), a relationship consistently observed in all sites. When compared to biomass, plant volume and proportional volume did not yield stronger correlations. We observed stronger correlations when E. densa and E. najas patches were analyzed separately (mono-specificity), probably because particular effects of each macrophyte on habitat structuring were removed (e.g. unnoticed morphological differences or unknown effects on habitat quality). The high R values observed in all pairwise relationships are uncommon in ecological studies, highlighting the predictive potential of variables related to habitat structure. These results suggest that, at small spatial extents, macrophyte biomass may represent an interesting predictor of fish density and richness in reservoirs with extensive colonization of submerged plants.As macrófitas aquáticas submersas desempenham um importante papel na estruturação de hábitats e, por isso, determinam padrões gerais de biodiversidade. Como essas plantas colonizam muitos reservatórios neotropicais, o presente trabalho investigou simples relações capazes de predizer atributos de assembléias de peixes (densidade e riqueza) a partir de variáveis relacionadas à estruturação do habitat, medidas em manchas de macrófitas submersas (Egeria densa e E. najas). Baseando-se em características das manchas em pequenas escalas espaciais (bancos de macrófitas em braços do reservatório), nós consideramos a biomassa de plantas, volume e volume proporcional (percentual de volume de macrófitas na coluna d'água) como preditores em potencial. Peixes e macrófitas foram amostrados com uma armadilha de arremesso (1-m 2 ) em hábitats litorâneos do reservatório de Rosana, rio Paranapanema, e correlação simples foram utilizadas para analisar as relações. Todas as variáveis apresentaram correlação positiva com a riqueza e densidade de peixes (R = 0.53 to 0.90), uma relação consistentemente observada nos três locais amostrados. Com relação à performance individual de cada variável, o volume e o volume proporcional não aumentaram a magnitude das correlações quando comparados à biomassa de m...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fish-habitat Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Simple relationships to predict attributes of fish assemblages in patches of submerged macrophytes

2008

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“…Aquatic macrophytes add complexity to aquatic systems because of their plant morphology (the structures of roots, stems, and leaves), creating a unique substrate for macroinvertebrate and zooplankton fixation (Dibble and Thomaz, 2006) and consequently promoting an enhancement of food availability for fish (Casatti et al, 2003;Dibble and Thomaz, 2006;Pelicice and Agostinho, 2006). Additionally, they provide refuge from predators to young and small adult fish (Meschiatti et al, 2000;Agostinho et al, 2003Agostinho et al, , 2007Neiff et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure of the littoral fish assemblage in an impounded tributary: the effects of macrophytes presence (subtropical region, Brazil)

Hermes-Silva

Zaniboni‐Filho

2012

Braz. J. Biol.

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To evaluate the effects of macrophytes presence in the structure of littoral fish assemblages in the littoral zone, monthly samples were collected from September, 2006 to August, 2007 in an impounded tributary of the Itá Reservoir, the Fragosos River, located in the Upper Uruguay River Basin. Fish were collected using a beach seine and sampling was conducted in the littoral zone inside a macrophyte stand and in an area with no macrophytes. A total of 5,191 fish were captured during the study period. Fish assemblage attributes (fish abundance, species richness, and diversity) varied significantly between sampling months and areas. The abundance of Astyanax cf. bimaculatus, Astyanax fasciatus, Geophagus brasiliensis, and Gymnotus carapo also varied significantly between sampling months and areas. Detrended Correspondence Analysis showed a clear spatial segregation at the first axis and a slight temporal segregation at the second axis. These results were confirmed by Multiple Response Permutation Procedure analysis. Apparently, the presence of the aquatic macrophytes is not the only factor influencing the distribution of littoral fish assemblages in the Fragosos River. Littoral fish seem to be taking advantage of low-to medium-sized macrophyte stands, but few species used maximum-sized stands.Keywords: fish assemblage, aquatic macrophytes, Itá reservoir, Upper Uruguay River. Estrutura da assembleia de peixes litorâneos em um tributário represado:os efeitos da presença de macrófitas (região subtropical, Brasil) ResumoBuscando-se avaliar os efeitos da presença de macrófitas na estrutura da assembleia de peixes litorâneos, foram realizadas coletas mensais (setembro/2006 a agosto/2007) na região lêntica de um tributário represado pelo reservatório de Itá (Rio Uruguai, Brasil), o Rio Fragosos. As amostragens foram realizadas com uma rede de arrasto na zona litorânea dentro do banco de macrófitas e em áreas sem macrófitas. Os peixes coletados foram identificados e submetidos a uma biometria. Para caracterizar os locais amostrados, foi avaliada a qualidade da água e estimada a área de cobertura do banco. Foram capturados 5191 indivíduos durante todo o período de estudo. Os atributos da assembleia analisados variaram significativamente entre os meses e os locais amostrados, assim como a abundância das espécies Astyanax cf. bimaculatus, Astyanax fasciatus, Geophagus brasiliensis e Gymnotus carapo. A Análise de Correspondência Destendenciada mostrou uma forte segregação espacial e uma leve segregação temporal. Esses resultados foram confirmados pela análise de permutação múltipla -MRPP. Aparentemente, a presença das macrófitas aquáticas não é o único fator que está influenciando a distribuição da assembleia de peixes do rio Fragosos, a qual parece estar se beneficiando do banco de macrófitas em períodos de baixa e média cobertura vegetal, sendo que poucas espécies utilizam esse ambiente quando o banco se torna maior.Palavras-chave: assembleia de peixes, macrófitas aquáticas, reservatório de Itá, Alto Rio Uruguai.

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“…In ponds with fish presence, abundant communities of pelagic zooplankters, especially larger-bodied crustaceans, despite their ecological requirements, will be found among patches of macrophytes during the daytime when fish are most active (Wojtal et al, 2003). At the same time plant habitat, due to its highly complex structure connected with an increase in the fractal variation of a plant patch (McAbendroth et al, 2005;Dibble & Thomaz, 2006), may support the development of a variety of periphytic planktonic organisms, thus favouring the development of zooplankton species of littoral origin (Duggan, 2001). Therefore, macrophyte build reflected in the plant density or biomass, known as plant architecture, is of significant importance for the inhabiting zooplankters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zooplankton diversity and macrophyte biometry in shallow water bodies of various trophic state

Kuczyńska‐Kippen

Joniak

2015

Hydrobiologia

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In order to determine whether using indicators of zooplankton diversity and macrophyte parameters (density and biomass) could be a useful tool for diagnosing the water quality of ponds we hypothesised that in various trophic types of shallow water bodies parameters of a macrophyte habitat will reflect zooplankton diversity. Thus, 439 stations (open water, helophytes, elodeids) were studied among 274 pastoral ponds (mid-west Poland). In each trophic state of waters a key predictor of zooplankton diversity was biomass of macrophytes attributed to a variety of ecological types or various species of macrophytes. A shift from the high importance of elodeids (e.g. Myriophyllum, Ceratophyllum demersum) in structuring zooplankton diversity in mesotrophic waters to helophytes (Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris) in hypereutrophic ponds was recorded. Hypereutrophy proved to be extremely unfavourable for zooplankton, as reflected in its lowest diversity; rotifers reached their optimum in eutrophy and crustaceans in mesotrophy. Adverse environmental conditions in hypereutrophic waters caused the elimination of macrophyte-dominated refuges, thereby lowering the macrophyte-site share, which ranged from 47% in eutrophy, 40% in mesotrophy to only 20% in hypereutrophy. Therefore, we assume that zooplankton diversity and macrophyte occurrence can be used for quality assessment of small water bodies.

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A simple method to estimate spatial complexity in aquatic plants

Abstract: ABSTRACT

Cited by 31 publications

References 17 publications

Simple relationships to predict attributes of fish assemblages in patches of submerged macrophytes

Simple relationships to predict attributes of fish assemblages in patches of submerged macrophytes

Structure of the littoral fish assemblage in an impounded tributary: the effects of macrophytes presence (subtropical region, Brazil)

Zooplankton diversity and macrophyte biometry in shallow water bodies of various trophic state

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