Skip to main content
Download PDF

Do different facets of littoral macroinvertebrate diversity show congruent patterns in a large lake system?

Community Ecology volume 18, pages 109–116 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Modern biodiversity research focuses on multiple diversity facets because different indices may describe different ecological and environmental processes, as well as the effects of varied disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origins. We investigated littoral macroinvertebrate diversity in a large boreal lake system and specifically explored congruence of indices within and between the three diversity facets: species diversity, functional diversity and taxonomic distinctness. First, we found that the indices of taxonomic distinctness were the most sensitive indicators of eutrophication. Second, we observed that most correlations between the indices within the same diversity facet, and between the indices of functional and species diversity, were relatively strong. However, the indices of taxonomic distinctness (Δ+ and Λ+) were weakly associated with other metrics of diversity, emphasising the importance of taxonomic distinctness as a complementary dimension of biodiversity. Therefore, our observations support the importance to examine multiple facets for mapping biodiversity or for assessing the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on biological communities.

Abbreviations

TP:

Total Phosphorus

S:

Species richness

J’:

evenness

H’:

Shannon diversity

Δ:

taxonomic diversity

Δ+:

taxonomic distinctness

Λ+:

variation in taxonomic distinctness

References

  • Abellán, P., Bilton, D.T., Millán, A., Sánchez-Fernández, D. and Ramsay, P.M. 2006. Can taxonomic distinctness assess anthropogenic impacts in inland waters? A case study from a Mediterranean river basin. Freshwater Biol. 51: 1744–1756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akaike, H. 1974. A new look at the statistical model identification. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control 19: 716–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bady, P., Dolédec, S., Fesl, C., Gayraud, S., Bacchi, M. and Schöll, F. 2005. Use of invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of European large rivers: the effects of sampling effort on genus richness and functional diversity. Freshwater Biol. 50: 159–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A.C., Huryn, A.D., Smock, L.A. and Wallace, J.B. 1999. Length-mass relationships for freshwater macroinvertebrates in North America with particular reference to the southeastern United States. J. North Am. Benthol. Soc. 18: 308–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonada, N., Prat, N., Resh, V.H. and Statzner, B. 2006. Developments in aquatic insect biomonitoring: a comparative analysis of recent approaches. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 51: 495–523.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chase, J.M. and Leibold, M.A. 2002. Spatial scale dictates the productivity-biodiversity relationship. Nature 416: 427–430.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chase, J.M. and Ryberg, W.A. 2004. Connectivity, scale-dependence, and the productivity-diversity relationship. Ecol. Lett. 7: 676– 683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. and Warwick, R.M. 1998. A taxonomic distinctness index and its statistical properties. J. Appl. Ecol. 35: 523–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. and Warwick, R.M. 2001. A further biodiversity index applicable to species lists: variation in taxonomic distinctness. Marine Ecology Progress Series 216: 265–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. and Gorley, R.N. 2006. Primer v6: User Manual/ Tutorial. Primer-E Ltd. 190 pp.

  • Devictor, V., Mouillot, D., Meynard, C., Jiquet, F., Thuiller, W. and Mouquet, N. 2010. Spatial mismatch and congruence between taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity: the need for integrative conservation strategies in a changing world. Ecol. Lett. 13: 1030–1040.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodson, S.I., Arnott, S.E. and Cottingham, K.L. 2000. The relationship in lake communities between primary productivity and species richness. Ecology 81: 2662–2679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folt, C.L., Chen, C.Y., Moore, M.V. and Burnaford, J. 1999. Synergism and antagonism among multiple stressors. Limnol. Oceanogr. 44: 864–873.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fore, L.S., Karr, J.R. and Wisseman, R.W. 1996. Assessing invertebrate responses to human activities: evaluating alternative approaches. J. North Am. Benthological Soc. 15: 212–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friberg, N., Bonada, N., Bradley, D.C., Dunbar, M.J., Edwards, F.K., Grey, J., Hayes, R.B., Hildrew, A.G., Lamouroux, N., Trimmer, M. and Woodward, G. 2011. Biomonitoring of human impacts in freshwater ecosystems: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Adv. Ecol. Res. 44: 1–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallardo, B., Gascón, S., Quintana, X. and Comín, F.A. 2011. How to choose a biodiversity indicator - redundancy and complementarity of biodiversity metrics in a freshwater ecosystem. Ecol.Indic. 11: 1177–1184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gascón, S., Boix, D. and Sala, J. 2009. Are different biodiversity metrics related to the same factors? A case study from Mediterranean wetlands. Biol. Conserv. 142: 2602–2612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerold, F., Boudot, J-P. Jacquemin, G., Vein, D., Merlet, D. and Rouiller, J. 2000. Macroinvertebrate community loss as a result of headwater stream acidification in the Vosges Mountains (N-E France). Biodivers. Conserv. 9: 767–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heino, J. 2008. Patterns of functional biodiversity and function-environment relationships in lake macroinvertebrates. Limnol. Oceanogr. 53: 1446–1455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heino, J., Alahuhta, J. and Fattorini, S. 2015. Phylogenetic diversity of regional beetle faunas at high latitudes: patterns, drivers and chance along ecological gradients. Biodivers. Conserv. 24: 2751–2767.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heino, J., Mykrä, H. and Kotanen, J. 2008. Weak relationships between landscape characteristics and multiple facets of stream macroinvertebrate biodiversity in a boreal drainage basin. Lands. Ecol. 23: 417–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heino, J., Mykrä, H., Hämäläinen, H., Aroviita, J. and Muotka, T. 2007. Responses of taxonomic distinctness and species diversity indices to anthropogenic impacts and natural environmental gradients in stream macroinvertebrates. Freshwater Biol. 52: 1846–1861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeppesen, E., Jensen, J.P., Søndergaard, M., Lauridsen, T. and Landkildehus, F. 2000. Trophic structure, species richness and biodiversity in Danish lakes: changes along a phosphorus gradient. Freshwater Biol. 45: 201–218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, E.L. and Roberts, D.A. 2009. Contaminants reduce the richness and evenness of marine communities: a review and meta-analysis. Environ. Pollution 157: 1745–1752.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kankaala, P., Hellsten S. and Alasaarela, E. 1984. Primary production of phytoplankton in the oligohumic Kitka lakes in northern Finland. Aqua Fennica 14: 65–78.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klemm, D.J., Blocksom, K.A., Thoeny,W.T., Fulk, F.A., Herlihy, A.T., Kaufmann, P.R. and Cormier, S.M. 2002. Methods development and use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of ecological conditions for streams in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 78: 169–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korhonen, J.J., Wang J. and Soininen, J. 2011. Productivity-diversity relationships in lake plankton communities. PLos ONE 6: e22041.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Leira, M., Chen, G., Dalton, C. Irvine, K. and Taylor, D. 2009. Patterns in freshwater diatom taxonomic distinctness along an eutrophication gradient. Freshwater Biol. 54: 1–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, D.R.P., Clarke, K.R., Somerfield, P.J. and Warwick, R.M. 2006. The application of an indicator based on taxonomic distinctness for UK marine biodiversity assessment. J. Environ. Manage. 78: 52–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Litchman, E. and Klausmeier, C.A. 2008. Trait-based community ecology of phytoplankton. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 39: 615– 639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludsin, S.A., Kershner, M.W., Blocksom, K.A., Knight, R.L. and Stein, R.A. 2001. Life after death in Lake Erie: nutrient controls drive fish species richness, rehabilitation. Ecol. Appl. 11: 731–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyashevska, O. and Farnsworth, K.D. 2012. How many dimensions of biodiversity do we need? Ecol. Indic. 18: 485–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthaei, C.D., Weller, F., Kelly, D.W. and Townsend, C.R. 2006. Impacts of fine sediment addition to tussock, pasture, dairy and deer farming streams in New Zealand. Freshwater Biol. 51: 2154–2172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mérigot, B., Bertrand, J.A., Gaertner, J-C., Durbec, J-P., Mazouni, N. and Manté, C. 2007. The multi-component structuration of the species diversity of groundfish assemblages of the east coast of Corsica (Mediterranean Sea): variation according to the bathymetric strata. Fish. Res. 88: 120–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merritt, R.W. and Cummins, K.W. 1996. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. 862 pp.

  • Meyer, E. 1989. The relationship between body length parameters and dry mass in running water invertebrates. Archiv für. Hydrobiologie 117: 191–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mittelbach, G.G., Steiner, C.F., Scheiner, S.M., Gross, K.L., Reynolds, H.L., Waide, R.B., Willig, M.R., Dodson, S.I. and Gough, L. 2001. What is the observed relationship between species richness and productivity? Ecology 82: 2381–2396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monnet, A-C., Jiguet, F., Meynard, C.N., Mouillot, D., Mouquet, N., Thuiller, W. and Devictor, V. 2014. Asynchrony of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity in birds. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 23: 780–788.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naeem, S., Duffy, J.E. and Zavaleta, E. 2012. The functions of biological diversity in an age of extinction. Science 336: 1401–1406.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Penning, W.E., Dudley, B., Mjelde, M., Hellsten, S., Hanganu, J., Kolada, A., van den Berg, M., Maemets, H., Poikane, S., Phillips, G., Willby, N. and Ecke, F. 2008. Using aquatic macrophyte community indices to define the ecological status of European lakes. Aquat. Ecol. 42: 253–264.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pielou, E.C. 1966. Species-diversity and pattern-diversity in the study of ecological succession. J. Theoret. Biol. 10: 370–383.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Purschke, O., Schmid, B.C., Sykes, M.T., Poschlod, P., Michalski, S.G., Durka, W., Kühn, I., Winter, M. and Prentice, H.C. 2013. Contrasting changes in taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity during a long-term succession: insights into assembly processes. J. Ecol. 101: 857–866.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen, J.B. 1993. Patterns in the size structure of littoral zone macroinvertebrate communities. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 50: 2192–2207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shannon, C.E. 1948. A mathematical theory of communication. The Bell System Technical J. 27: 379–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smock, L.A. 1980. Relationships between body size and biomass of aquatic insects. Freshwater Biol. 10: 375–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tachet, H., Richoux, B., Bournaud, M. and Usseglio-Polatera, P. 2010. Invertébrés d’eau douce. CNRS editions.

  • Tolonen, K.T., Vilmi, A., Karjalainen, S.M., Hellsten, S., Sutela, T. and Heino, J. 2017. Ignoring spatial effects results in inadequate models for variation in littoral macroinvertebrate diversity. Oikos. DOI: 10.1111/oik.03587

  • Van den Brink, P.J., A.C. Alexander, A.C., Desrosiers, M., Goedkoop, W., Goethals, P.L.M., Liess, M. and Dyer, S.D. 2011. Trait-based approaches in bioassessment and ecological risk assessment: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Integrated Environ. Assess. Manage. 7: 198–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilmi, A., Karjalainen, S.M. Landeiro, V.L. and Heino, J. 2015. Freshwater diatoms as environmental indicators: evaluating the effects of eutrophication using species morphology and biological indices. Environ. Monitor. Assess. 187: 243–252.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warwick, R.M. and Clarke, K.R. 1995. New ‘biodiversity’ measures reveal a decrease in taxonomic distinctness with increasing stress. Marine Ecology Progress Series 129: 301–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warwick, R.M. and Clarke, K.R. 1998. Taxonomic distinctness and environmental assessment. J. Appl. Ecol. 35: 532–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilsey, B.J., Chalcraft, D.R., Bowles, C.M. and Willig, M.R. 2005. Relationships among indices suggest that richness is an incomplete surrogate for grassland biodiversity. Ecology 86: 1178– 1184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winter, M., Devictor V. and Schweiger, O. 2013. Phylogenetic diversity and nature conservation: where are we? Trends Ecol. Evol. 28: 199–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Witman, J.D., Cusson, M., Archambault, P., Pershing, A.J. and Mieszkowska, N. 2008. The relation between productivity and species diversity in temperate-arctic marine ecosystems. Ecology 89: S66–S80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. K. T. Tolonen

    Present address: Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Environment Centre, P.O. Box 413, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland

    K. T. Tolonen, A. Vilmi & J. Heino

  2. Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, P.O. Box 413, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland

    S. M. Karjalainen & S. Hellsten

Authors
  1. K. T. Tolonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Vilmi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. M. Karjalainen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Hellsten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Heino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. T. Tolonen.

Rights and permissions

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tolonen, K.T., Vilmi, A., Karjalainen, S.M. et al. Do different facets of littoral macroinvertebrate diversity show congruent patterns in a large lake system?. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY 18, 109–116 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1556/168.2017.18.1.12

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/168.2017.18.1.12

Keywords

  • Biodiversity
  • Congruence
  • Facets of biodiversity
  • Lake ecosystems
  • Littoral zone