NETFRESH: Networking the response of freshwater ecosystems to environmental change

Lead Research Organisation: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Biosciences

Abstract

Biodiversity in freshwaters is declining at a rate far greater than marine or terrestrial biomes, yet we lack a mechanistic understanding. A key to elucidating the mechanisms driving these losses is the study of ecological interactions (e.g., predation, competition, parasitism, mutualism), which translate environmental change into alterations in the structure and function of biological communities. Our knowledge of ecological networks in freshwaters, however, remains limited due to technological constraints associated with identifying and quantifying ecological interactions in underwater environments.

Here, we propose an ambitious project developing our ability to quantify ecological interactions in running freshwater environments with the aim of understanding ecosystem responses to environmental change. We will combine established (gut content analysis, stable isotopes, production estimates) and novel techniques (metabarcoding, video footage combined with machine learning/artificial intelligence, macronutrients) to explore ecological interactions in real time. Using these methods, we will construct the first multilayer ecological networks (networks including multiple interaction types, e.g., competition, predation, facilitation) in running waters, and test the ability of the framework to detect changes in ecosystems using micro- and meso-cosms. For the latter, we focus on low flows as a pivotal component of environmental change in freshwater ecosystems - with existing mechanistic understanding surrounding the individual-level responses of different species (i.e., increased metabolic demand) and clear hypotheses surrounding the potential responses of ecological interactions (i.e., reduced habitat size leads to increased resource competition).

The project will support the generation of: (i) novel methods for identifying and quantifying ecological interactions in freshwaters; and (ii) fundamental knowledge on ecological interactions in running waters. Furthermore, findings from this work will also help to inform national monitoring strategies to better detect the response of ecosystems to environmental change and methods could be developed further to potentially provide an early warning system for species loss and ecosystem collapse in freshwater ecosystems.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description We have gained a better understanding of how stream ecosystems respond and recover from droughts, through both direct and indirect mechanisms (i.e., species losses and gains, as well as changes in species interactions). Specifically, we have:
1. Developed methods for identifying interactions under water (high resolution stable isotope, video and image analysis)
2. Collected data on ecosystem scale responses to droughts (currently processing - a non-cost extension granted until August 2024)
Exploitation Route Transferrable and translatable methods are being produced (preparing a publication for Methods in Ecology and Evolution), and these will be able to be used by others to investigate both freshwater and terrestrial ecosystem structure.
Sectors Environment

 
Title Extra terrestrials: experimental drought creates niche space for rare invertebrates in terrestrialising stream channels 
Description The code and data for the paper entitled "Extra terrestrials: experimental drought creates niche space for rare invertebrates in terrestrialising stream channels" published in Biology Letters. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://zenodo.org/record/8156531
 
Description Response Diversity Network 
Organisation Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
Country Japan 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Through our experimental work along a gradient of drought stress and our work to develop new methods to measure responses of ecosystems to environmental change, FW was invited to become a member of the Response Diversity Network, organised by Sam Ross (OIST) and Owen Petchey (University of Zürich).
Collaborator Contribution FW is attending a workshop at OIST in March 2024 to discuss research findings and future research opportunities.
Impact This is an early stage collaboration and as such there are no concrete outputs or outcomes. It is multidisciplinary, with engineers, ecologists, and other STEM disciplines involved in the workshops.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Local community group talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Some ecological surveying and a subsequent talk at a public event was completed for the Bristol Feeder Canal Residency.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.feedercanalresidency.com/