Classifying groundwater ecosystems

Robertson, Anne L.; Brancelj, Anton; Stein, Heide; Hahn, Hans Juergen

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819119-4.00007-x

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 63 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The fauna of the hyporheic Diversity 2024, 16, 289 2 of 14 zone display distinctive characteristics, with certain traits typical to surface water ecosystems and others representative of groundwater ones, collectively setting it apart from both [8]. Groundwater-dwelling fauna, adapted to darkness, low oxygen levels, and low energy inputs, are common in upwelling areas of hyporheic zones [9]. The hyporheic zone often hosts meiobenthic crustaceans, such as copepods and ostracods, with some species displaying varying degrees of specialization [10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling Functional Diversity Patterns in Hyporheic Zones: A Trait-Based Approach Applied to Copepods from the Rio Gamberale Creek

Tabilio Di Camillo,

Cerasoli,

Di Cicco

et al. 2024

Diversity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite the recognized ecological significance of hyporheic zones, biological investigations into their ecology, especially concerning functional diversity, remain limited. This is particularly true for copepod assemblages, abundant in the transitional zone between groundwater and surface waters, requiring more thorough exploration. To bridge this knowledge gap, our study extensively monitored a hyporheic zone within a mountain creek and examined nine functional traits across twelve copepod species found in this environment. Through the application of RLQ and fourth-corner analysis, as well as functional diversity indices including functional richness, evenness, divergence, and dispersion, we aimed to establish links between functional traits and environmental factors. Our findings revealed relationships between environmental features—specifically electrical conductivity, pH, and ammonium concentration—and the trait composition of copepod assemblages, which were influenced by species abundances. Considering the intimate connection between functional traits and ecosystem services, assessing functional diversity within hyporheic zones offers valuable insights into its functionality in terms of services rendered. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing functional diversity in hyporheic zone dynamics to ensure the health and stability of ecotones and, by extension, riverine and groundwater ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%