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Distribution of freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in streams in the Sierra Nevada, USA, in relation to water chemistry and bedrock geology

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Abstract

The freshwater stalked diatom, Didymosphenia geminata, has increased its proliferation in new and native ranges with the potential for significant ecological impacts to streams around the world. Uncertainty remains regarding the water chemistry in which D. geminata thrives despite recent advances in the understanding of its suitable physical habitat. Stream surveys were conducted in the central and the northern Sierra Nevada, CA, USA, to determine whether D. geminata distribution patterns were related to water chemistry and bedrock geology. Surveys included measurements of physical, chemical, and biological parameters from 50 stream reaches in 35 different streams. The water chemistry variable, percent Ca2+ (P < 0.001) provided the best fit models (binary logistic regression AUC 0.84) for predicting the presence of D. geminata in Sierra Nevada streams. Other significant water chemistry predictors included the percent SO4 2− and Mg2+ concentrations. The bedrock geology variable, percent meta-sedimentary rock in a watershed (P < 0.001), provided the best fit model (binary logistic regression AUC 0.77) for predicting the presence of D. geminata. This study further defines the environmental conditions in which D. geminata thrives, provides insight into D. geminata ecophsyiology, and will help refine current distribution and risk assessment models.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the funding support from the Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, the Truckee River Monitoring Program at the Desert Research Institute, Reno, NV, and The Graduate School Association of the University of Nevada, Reno. We would also like to thank Jeramie Memmott, Eric Wirthlin, Tamara Cooley, and Betsy Kreidberg of the Systems Microbial Ecology Laboratory at the Desert Research Institute, Reno Nevada for assistance with laboratory and field work. We would also like to thank Tyler Grifton and Jack Childress for assistance with the GIS work and helpful reviews from Don Sada, Alison Murray, Ron Hersey, Julie Stoughton, and Lisa Wable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science and Technology Department, Sierra Nevada College, 999 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, NV, 89451, USA

    Andy L. Rost

  2. Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV, 89512, USA

    Christian H. Fritsen & Clinton J. Davis

  3. Environmental Sciences Program, MSB 436, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Clinton J. Davis

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  1. Andy L. Rost
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  2. Christian H. Fritsen
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  3. Clinton J. Davis
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Correspondence to Andy L. Rost.

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Handling editor: Nicholas R. Bond.

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Rost, A.L., Fritsen, C.H. & Davis, C.J. Distribution of freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in streams in the Sierra Nevada, USA, in relation to water chemistry and bedrock geology. Hydrobiologia 665, 157–167 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0617-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0617-4

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