Snail communities increase submerged macrophyte growth by grazing epiphytic algae and phytoplankton in a mesocosm experiment

Lv, Tian; Guan, Xiao; Fan, Shufeng; Han, Chunyan; Gao, Zhongyao; Liu, Chunhua

doi:10.1002/ece3.8615

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 89 publications

(119 reference statements)

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“…Elevated temperatures can enhance metabolism and growth, accelerating reproduction and population growth. Nutrient loading, representing increased nutrient levels, fosters the growth of algae and plants, which constitute Radix swinhoei's primary food source [125]. In nutrient-rich waters, they can access more food resources, facilitating their growth and reproduction [126].…”

Section: The Sensitivity Of Different Zoobenthic Species To Various T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Zoobenthos Communities in Shallow Lakes: Evidence from a Mesocosm Experiment

Xu,

Su,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Animals

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Multiple stressors, including climate change, eutrophication, and pesticide contamination, are significant drivers of the decline in lake zoobenthos. Zoobenthos play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, impacting energy dynamics, nutrient cycling, and sediment degradation. However, these stressors have led to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of zoobenthos, resulting in notable changes in species composition and structure. Eutrophication typically increases zoobenthos abundance while reducing taxonomic diversity. Climate change, such as warming and heatwaves, also affects the zoobenthos community structure, with different species exhibiting varying levels of adaptability to temperature changes. Additionally, pesticides like imidacloprid have negative effects on the survival and growth of zoobenthos. However, the interactions between imidacloprid and other stressors remain understudied. Here, we used 48 mesocosms (2500 L) to simulate shallow lakes. We combined nutrient loading, sustained warming, and the imidacloprid pesticide to test how these stressors interactively influence the survival and community of zoobenthos. The experimental results demonstrate that elevated temperatures have a significant impact on aquatic benthic organisms under different treatment conditions. The increase in temperature led to a notable rise in species richness and α-diversity, primarily attributed to the stimulation of metabolic activities in zoobenthos, promoting their growth and reproduction. This finding underscores the potential influence of climate change on aquatic benthic ecosystems, particularly in terms of its promoting effect on α-diversity. However, it is essential to note that elevated temperatures also reduced β-diversity among different sites, implying a potential trend toward homogenization in zoobenthos communities under warmer conditions. Moreover, this study revealed the interactive effects of multiple stressors on the diversity of aquatic benthic communities. Specifically, the pesticide imidacloprid’s impact on zoobenthos is not isolated but demonstrates complex effects within various treatment interactions. In the presence of both temperature elevation and the addition of imidacloprid, the presence of imidacloprid appears to counteract the adverse effects of temperature elevation, resulting in increased species diversity. However, when imidacloprid coincides with nutrient input, it significantly affects α-diversity negatively. These findings highlight the complexity of zoobenthos responses to multiple stressors and how these factors influence both α-diversity and β-diversity. They provide valuable insights for further research on the conservation and management of ecosystems.

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Section: The Sensitivity Of Different Zoobenthic Species To Various T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Zoobenthos Communities in Shallow Lakes: Evidence from a Mesocosm Experiment

Xu,

Su,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…Accordingly, the distribution of macrophytes in the littoral zone is critical for both gastropods and ecosystem functioning, and the role of gastropods is multifaceted. Submerged macrophytes with complex architecture provide a greater surface area for epiphyton, which leads to greater food source [35][36][37][38] and habitat availability, in addition to increased protection from visual predators and diversification of suitable sites for oviposition [39]. Conversely, several studies have confirmed that gastropods can promote macrophyte growth by grazing light-limiting vegetation, which indirectly leads to changes in nutrient regeneration [26,40,41].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastropod Assemblages Associated with Habitat Heterogeneity and Hydrological Shifts in Two Shallow Waterbodies

Lajtner

Kozák

Špoljar

et al. 2022

Water

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We aimed to determine the effects of water level and habitat heterogeneity on gastropod fauna in the littoral zone, and the differentiation of functional feeding guilds (FFG) of gastropods. Two periods were analyzed: 2012 (low water level, LWL) and 2013 (high water level, HWL) in the littoral zone of two shallow waterbodies (Sutla backwater, NW Croatia). Waterbody S1, covered with Ceratophyllum demersum, was sampled in the macrophyte stands, and the littoral benthal area, while waterbody S2, without macrophytes, was sampled only in the littoral benthal area. It was observed discovered that among the macrophyte stands in S1, gastropods were significantly more abundant during LWL. The same trend was observed in the littoral benthal area of S2. In contrast, gastropod abundance was higher in the littoral benthal area of S1 during HWL. Comparing gastropods in the two waterbodies, the abundance in S1 was ten times higher than in S2. The most abundant species was Gyraulus parvus, which accounted for 51–92% of the gastropods observed among the macrophytes of S1 and 86% in the adjacent benthic zone. Among the FFG groups, grazers (particularly those feeding on gymnamoebae and rotifers) had the largest proportion, followed by shredders feeding on small pieces of macrophytes. In our research, we indicate the important role of microhabitat diversity and submerged macrophytes as a rich food source for gastropods and safe shelter from predators.

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“… 31 These freshwater snails regulate the growth of periphyton, and macrophytes and shells act as the site for algal and periphyton growth. 32 The ability of these snail species to degrade the papers of three types, namely, cardboard (CB), newspaper (NP) , and plain paper (PP), was assessed along with the amount of the cellulose present in the degraded papers and fecal pellet of the snails fed with several types of paper were also estimated. In general, the degradation of paper waste includes mechanical and physical processes 16 − 18 or microbial activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…acuta is an indigenous species of North America but invaded globally in freshwater ecosystems . These freshwater snails regulate the growth of periphyton, and macrophytes and shells act as the site for algal and periphyton growth . The ability of these snail species to degrade the papers of three types, namely, cardboard (CB), newspaper (NP) , and plain paper (PP), was assessed along with the amount of the cellulose present in the degraded papers and fecal pellet of the snails fed with several types of paper were also estimated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradation of Paper Wastes by Freshwater Snails: Implications for Management

et al. 2022

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The different types of paper wastes constitute a major portion of municipal solid waste. The present study was aimed to justify the use of freshwater snails for the biological degradation of the paper waste and subsequent availability of cellulose from fecal matter. Three aquatic snails Racesina luteola , Indoplanorbis exustus , and Physella acuta were used to degrade newsprint, cardboard, and common writing paper as paper waste. The consumption of papers by the snail species was subjected to statistical analysis, and the results of Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant variation in the paper-specific consumption pattern ( K = 181.762, df = 2, p <0.0001) and no variation in the species-specific pattern. Among the three types of paper used for the study, cardboard was consumed at the highest rate (4.655 ± 0.401 mg per day), and the per capita consumption remained highest for the snail I. exustus (2.253 ± 0.273 mg per day). The microscopic images and SEM micrographs of the consumed paper revealed prominent grazing and scraping marks by the snails. The disintegration and relaxation of the papers after consumption indicated that they were on the pathway to degradation. The traditional way of degrading paper waste includes physical, chemical, or microbial treatment of paper pulp. This study represents a novel approach considering the freshwater snails as model organisms for the biodegradation process. Considerable amount of cellulose was present in the fecal samples, which can be extracted and purified for utilization as potent raw material.

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Snail communities increase submerged macrophyte growth by grazing epiphytic algae and phytoplankton in a mesocosm experiment

Cited by 9 publications

References 89 publications

Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Zoobenthos Communities in Shallow Lakes: Evidence from a Mesocosm Experiment

Effects of Multiple Environmental Stressors on Zoobenthos Communities in Shallow Lakes: Evidence from a Mesocosm Experiment

Gastropod Assemblages Associated with Habitat Heterogeneity and Hydrological Shifts in Two Shallow Waterbodies

Biodegradation of Paper Wastes by Freshwater Snails: Implications for Management

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