Heterogeneity of macrophyte banks affects the structure of fish communities in flooded habitats of the Amazon Basin

Nonato, Flávia Alessandra Silva; Michelan, Thaísa Sala; Freitas, Pâmela Virgolino; Maia, Calebe; Montag, Luciano Fogaça de Assis

doi:10.1007/s10452-020-09823-4

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…For example, there were positive associations between arthropod and fish diversities. It is possible that this positive fish‐arthropod association was driven by the high macrophyte diversity in rainforest biome, which facilitates coexistence between fishes and arthropods via increasing habitat heterogeneity (García‐Girón et al, 2020; Nonato et al, 2021). Beyond the positive effect of macrophytes on animal diversity, we found positive effects of macrophyte on fish and arthropod biomasses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human land‐uses homogenize stream assemblages and reduce animal biomass production

Moi

Barrios

Tesitore

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Human land‐use change is a major threat to natural ecosystems worldwide. Nonetheless, the effects of human land‐uses on the structure of plant and animal assemblages and their functional characteristics need to be better understood. Furthermore, the pathways by which human land uses affect ecosystem functions, such as biomass production, still need to be clarified. We compiled a unique dataset of fish, arthropod and macrophyte assemblages from 61 stream ecosystems in two Neotropical biomes: Amazonian rainforest and Uruguayan grasslands. We then tested how the cover of agriculture, pasture, urbanization and afforestation affected the taxonomic richness and functional diversity of those three species assemblages, and the consequences of these effects for animal biomass production. Single trait categories and functional diversity were evaluated, combining recruitment and life‐history, resource and habitat‐use, and body size. The effects of intensive human land‐uses on taxonomic and functional diversities were as strong as other drivers known to affect biodiversity, such as local climate and environmental factors. In both biomes, the taxonomic richness and functional diversity of animal and macrophyte assemblages decreased with increasing cover of agriculture, pasture, and urbanization. Human land‐uses were associated with functional homogenization of both animal and macrophyte assemblages. Human land‐uses reduced animal biomass through direct and indirect pathways mediated by declines in taxonomic and functional diversities. Our findings indicate that converting natural ecosystems to supply human demands results in species loss and trait homogenization across multiple biotic assemblages, ultimately reducing animal biomass production in streams.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human land‐uses homogenize stream assemblages and reduce animal biomass production

Moi

Barrios

Tesitore

et al. 2023

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…This is because no single species can simultaneously account for all functions at different times and locations (Mori et al, 2018). Perhaps more importantly, since aquatic plants can be considered as surrogates for the biodiversity of multiple taxonomic groups, ranging from fish to protozoans (Law et al, 2019; Moi, Evangelista, et al, 2021; Nonato et al, 2021), the invasion of U. arrecta will likely result in cascading effects at the entire ecosystem level. Considering that this invasive grass has been recorded in freshwater and brackish ecosystems in several Neotropical countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad‐Tobago, Venezuela and the United States of America (Global Biodiversity Information Facility; http://www.gbif.org/), we urge that U. arrecta should be included in the policy decisions and management agendas that aim to protect native biodiversity of standing freshwater ecosystems in the Americas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasion by an exotic grass species homogenizes native freshwater plant communities

et al. 2023

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A growing body of evidence has shown that biological invasions cause shifts in species composition of communities in space and time. Although biological invasions are considered a major driver of biotic homogenisation worldwide, most previous studies were conducted at small spatial scales and over short time periods, which may have underestimated the impacts of exotic species on native communities. Using a unique dataset of aquatic plants sampled in 235 sites over 12 years (2007–2010 and 2015–2019) in a large reservoir (Itaipu Reservoir; 1350 km2), we analysed how the invasion of a non‐native grass Urochloa arrecta affects the species richness, ecological uniqueness (i.e. local contribution to beta diversity—LCBD) and temporal β–diversity of native plant communities. From 3934 surveyed plant communities, U. arrecta was recorded in 2888 samples and it was absent from 1046 samples. Overall, species richness and ecological uniqueness of native plant communities were markedly lower in sites invaded than non‐invaded by U. arrecta. From 2007 to 2019, the ecological uniqueness of native plants was 60% lower in the invaded than non‐invaded sites. Whereas in invaded sites species loss was the dominant process driving native communities over time, in non‐invaded sites gain of new native species was the primary process underlying community trajectories. Moreover, comparing native plant communities before and after the invasion of U. arrecta, species richness, ecological uniqueness and species gains of native plant communities decreased, whereas species losses increased after the invasion of U. arrecta. Finally, the positive relationship between native biodiversity and precipitation was stronger in non‐invaded than invaded sites. Synthesis. Our findings provide comprehensive evidence that an invasive plant is decreasing the spatial and temporal β–diversity of native plant communities through declining species richness, rather than simply correlating with them. This suggests that U. arrecta is driving native plants to become less diverse and homogeneous after the invasion, both spatially and temporally. Our findings illustrate that at broad scales, aquatic plant communities may become increasingly homogeneous with the increasing number of biological invasion events taking place worldwide.

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“…Nektonic species, such as M. oligolepis, A. epae, and J. pirana, found in the Characiformes/Cichliformes group, are continuous swimmers and move vertically in the water column, often being found in places of slow flow (Watson and Balon 1984). In the Gymnotifomes group, some species live associated with environments with the presence of roots, litter and aquatic plants, where the water flow is often attenuated (Henderson and Hamilton 1995;Nonato et al 2021), such as Gymnotus Table 4. Weighted average of the indices of all species present in the fish assemblage sampled in each of 10 streams in the Juruena River sub-basin (Mato Grosso state, Brazil), reflecting phenotypes within each stream.…”

Section: Environmental Variables Pca1 Pca2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental filters explain the ecomorphological patterns of stream fish in the southern Amazon

SEABRA,

PALHETA,

BENONE

et al. 2023

Acta Amaz.

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The ecomorphology reflects morphological variations that may indicate significant ecological processes. In this study, the influence of environmental variables on the ecomorphological composition of stream fish was tested. The study was developed in ten streams within a conservation area in the Juruena River sub-basin, in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The sampling occurred during the drought period in July 2012. The fish were sampled with simple sieves and trawl nets. We analyzed 17 variables of the physical habitat and 14 morphological indices based on morphometric measurements of the fish. In total, 753 specimens were collected, comprising four orders, 14 families, and 27 species. Only fine sediments influenced the ecomorphological composition of the fish assemblages. This substrate variable acted as a filter for the ecomorphology of fish that usually inhabit slow waters, have a morphology adapted towards a good stabilization capacity and maneuverability, fins capable of large and rapid impulses, and that feed close to the surface. Our results can contribute to the understanding of the ecological processes that drive the composition of fish assemblages in conserved Amazonian streams.

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Heterogeneity of macrophyte banks affects the structure of fish communities in flooded habitats of the Amazon Basin

Cited by 12 publications

References 76 publications

Human land‐uses homogenize stream assemblages and reduce animal biomass production

Human land‐uses homogenize stream assemblages and reduce animal biomass production

Invasion by an exotic grass species homogenizes native freshwater plant communities

Environmental filters explain the ecomorphological patterns of stream fish in the southern Amazon

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