Ecosystem services provided by freshwater macrophytes

Thomaz, Sidinei Magela

doi:10.1007/s10750-021-04739-y

Cited by 71 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 164 publications

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“…Although at a local scale phytoplankton may support fewer ecosystem services compared to macrophytes (Janssen et al, 2021;Thomaz, 2021), we could identify about 20 different ecosystem services globally provided by phytoplankton (Fig. 3).…”

Section: Phytoplankton Biodiversity Contribution To Ecosystem Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services provided by marine and freshwater phytoplankton

Naselli-Flores

Padisák

2022

Hydrobiologia

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Phytoplankton, the ecological group of microalgae adapted to live in apparent suspension in water masses, is much more than an ecosystem’s engineer. In this opinion paper, we use our experience as phytoplankton ecologists to list and highlight the services provided by phytoplankton, trying to demonstrate how their activity is fundamental to regulate and sustain Life on our Planet. Although the number of services produced by phytoplankton can be considered less numerous than that produced by other photosynthetic organisms, the ubiquity of this group of organisms, and their thriving across oceanic ecosystems make it one of the biological engines moving our biosphere. Supporting services provided by phytoplankton include almost half of the global primary and oxygen production. In addition, phytoplankton greatly pushes biogeochemical cycles and nutrient (re)cycling, not only in aquatic ecosystems but also in terrestrial ones. In addition, it significantly contributes to climate regulation (regulating services), supplies food, fuels, active ingredients and drugs, and genetic resources (provisioning services), has inspired artistic and craft works, mythology, and, of course, science (cultural services), and much more. Therefore, phytoplankton should be considered in all respects a true biosphere’s engineer.

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Section: Phytoplankton Biodiversity Contribution To Ecosystem Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services provided by marine and freshwater phytoplankton

Naselli-Flores

Padisák

2022

Hydrobiologia

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“…Increased water clarity caused by the filtration of invasive bivalves favors the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (also ecosystem engineers), which in turn affects water flow and provides resources such as food and habitat for many animals (Reeders & bij de Vaate, 1990 ; Lyakhnovich et al, 1988 ; Skubinna et al, 1995 ; Lowe & Pillsbury, 1995 ; Strayer et al, 1999 ), as well as many other ecosystem services (Thomaz, 2021 ). Macrophyte biomass and coverage increase as improved light penetration allows the plants to colonize deeper layers.…”

Section: Regulating and Supporting/maintenancementioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem services provided by the exotic bivalves Dreissena polymorpha, D. rostriformis bugensis, and Limnoperna fortunei

et al. 2022

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The ecosystem services approach to conservation is becoming central to environmental policy decision making. While many negative biological invasion-driven impacts on ecosystem structure and functioning have been identified, much less was done to evaluate their ecosystem services. In this paper, we focus on the often-overlooked ecosystem services provided by three notable exotic ecosystem engineering bivalves, the zebra mussel, the quagga mussel, and the golden mussel. One of the most significant benefits of invasive bivalves is water filtration, which results in water purification and changes rates of nutrient cycling, thus mitigating the effects of eutrophication. Mussels are widely used as sentinel organisms for the assessment and biomonitoring of contaminants and pathogens and are consumed by many fishes and birds. Benefits of invasive bivalves are particularly relevant in human-modified ecosystems. We summarize the multiple ecosystem services provided by invasive bivalves and recommend including the economically quantifiable services in the assessments of their economic impacts. We also highlight important ecosystem disservices by exotic bivalves, identify data limitations, and future research directions. This assessment should not be interpreted as a rejection of the fact that invasive mussels have negative impacts, but as an attempt to provide additional information for scientists, managers, and policymakers.

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“…Indeed, the progressive reduction in the availability of water resources sharpens conflicting interests on the water uses, imposing increasingly robust assessments of macroclimatic, biological, and human drivers of lacustrine biota and functions [3]. In this regard, the capability to assess and predict the dynamics of lacustrine primary producers, especially macrophytes, represents a key knowledge to offer effective solutions and adaptations to external pressures [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Macrophyte Community Dynamics (2015–2020) in Southern Lake Garda (Italy) from Sentinel-2 Data

et al. 2022

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Macrophytes are of fundamental importance to the functioning of lake ecosystems. They provide structure, habitat, and a food source and are a required component in monitoring programs of lake ecological quality. The key aim of this study is to document the variation in spatial extent and density of macrophytes seasonally between 2015 and 2020 of the Sirmione Peninsula (Lake Garda, Italy), using Sentinel-2 imagery. In addition to this, our results were compared to previous data from imaging spectrometry; individual parameters affecting macrophyte communities were tested, and the possible effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on macrophyte colonization was evaluated. Satellite images allowed the mapping of the spatiotemporal dynamics of submerged rooted macrophytes in order to support monitoring of the shallow water ecosystem under study. Substantial changes were found in both spatial extent and density over the period from 2015 to 2020, particularly in 2019 when there was almost a complete absence of dense macrophytes. Variables found to influence the amount of macrophytes included transparency, chlorophyll–a, water level, winter wave height, and grazing by herbivores. A separate analysis focusing on areas associated with boat transit found a recovery in macrophyte coverage during the period of COVID-19 lockdown. The outcome of the study highlights a decline in the density of the macrophytes and a shift towards deeper areas compared to the situation in 1997. The area examined is part of an internationally important site containing the highest abundance and diversity of overwintering water birds in Italy. Exploiting satellite data at high frequency provided an insight to understand the dynamic changes and interactions with herbivorous birds, environmental factors, and anthropogenic pressures, revealing a delicately balanced and threatened ecosystem.

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Ecosystem services provided by freshwater macrophytes

Cited by 71 publications

References 164 publications

Ecosystem services provided by marine and freshwater phytoplankton

Ecosystem services provided by marine and freshwater phytoplankton

Ecosystem services provided by the exotic bivalves Dreissena polymorpha, D. rostriformis bugensis, and Limnoperna fortunei

Evaluation of Macrophyte Community Dynamics (2015–2020) in Southern Lake Garda (Italy) from Sentinel-2 Data

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