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Intensity of Land Use in the Catchment Influences Ecosystem Functioning Along a Freshwater-Marine Continuum

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Abstract

Intensification of catchment land use often adversely affects ecosystem health in rivers and estuaries via changes to physicochemistry and ecosystem functioning, but whether such land-use effects differ along a freshwater-marine continuum has not been studied. We investigated relationships between intensity of land use and two measures of ecosystem function in freshwater, estuarine and near-marine habitats. Standardized bioassays to determine cellulose breakdown (cotton and canvas strips) and algal accrual rates (ceramic tiles) were deployed in 10 river-to-marine continua whose catchment areas ranged from 2.6 to 99.6% developed. Using general linear models and an information-theoretic approach to select the best predictive models for our response variables, we found that higher dissolved phosphorus concentrations, linked with highly developed catchments, were associated with greater rates of cellulose decomposition (both tensile strength loss and mass loss). Furthermore, after controlling for the contribution of phosphorus or salinity, decomposition rates in freshwater and near-marine habitats generally responded curvilinearly to catchment development, indicating the involvement of additional unmeasured, land-use-related physicochemical or biological variables. The strength and shape of relationships between percentage developed land area and algal biomass accrual rates also contrasted among freshwater (strongest, curvilinear), mid-estuary (intermediate, positive), and near-marine sites (weakest, no obvious shape). Because land-use intensity can influence ecosystem functioning along the entire continuum from streams and rivers to estuaries and coasts, resource managers should adopt an integrated approach to decisions affecting catchment land use.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Antoine Baehr, Nicky McHugh, Gregory Stanley, Joanne Clapcott, Amélie Saunier, Yannick Pons, and Beate Bierschenk. A. M. Bierschenk was supported by a University of Otago Ph.D. scholarship. The comments of Daniel Schindler and two anonymous reviewers resulted in substantial improvements to this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Antje M. Bierschenk, Colin R. Townsend & Christoph D. Matthaei

  2. Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Candida Savage

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  1. Antje M. Bierschenk
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Correspondence to Christoph D. Matthaei.

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Author Contributions

Candida Savage, Colin R. Townsend, Christoph D. Matthaei conceived of or designed study, Antje M. Bierschenk performed the research. Antje M. Bierschenk, Candida Savage, Colin R. Townsend, Christoph D. Matthaei analyzed the data. Antje M. Bierschenk, Candida Savage, Colin R. Townsend, Christoph D. Matthaei contributed new methods or models. Antje M. Bierschenk, Candida Savage, Colin R. Townsend, Christoph D. Matthaei wrote the paper.

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Bierschenk, A.M., Savage, C., Townsend, C.R. et al. Intensity of Land Use in the Catchment Influences Ecosystem Functioning Along a Freshwater-Marine Continuum. Ecosystems 15, 637–651 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-012-9536-0

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