A global meta-analysis reveals multilevel and context-dependent effects of climate change on subterranean ecosystems

Vaccarelli, Ilaria; Colado, Raquel; Pallarés, Susana; Galassi, Diana M.P.; Sánchez-Fernández, David; Di Cicco, Mattia; Meierhofer, Melissa B.; Piano, Elena; Di Lorenzo, Tiziana; Mammola, Stefano

doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2023.09.001

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…On the other hand, the number of nonstygobiotic copepod individuals in an alluvial aquifer can be substantial [57,58], and these individuals may encounter suitable conditions for reproduction in aquifers contaminated by sewage wastes [59]. In addition, in a recent meta-analysis conducted by Vaccarelli et al (2023) [60], an alarming concern came to light related to the possibility of surface-dwelling species infiltrating subterranean ecosystems as a consequence of climate change [27]. This migration could further disrupt the existing trophic dynamics, with surface copepod species, known for their higher metabolic activity [61] and fertility [28,29], expected to swiftly replace their subterranean counterparts in the organic-enriched groundwater habitat [59], thereby encroaching on their living spaces and depleting their energy resources [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, their faecal pellets might enhance groundwater microbial growth, as excrement particles can serve as a fresh substrate to colonise [70]. However, the entrance of non-stygobiotic copepods into subterranean environments may increase in conjunction with climate warming, and their persistence could be facilitated by potential organic contaminations [59,60]. In such scenario, we hypothesise that predatory pressure and competition for resources may pose a significant threat to stygobiotic copepod populations, with serious implications for the conservation of endemic and rare species [71].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation in Copepod Morphological and Life History Traits along a Vertical Gradient of Freshwater Habitats

Tabilio Di Camillo,

Galassi,

Fiasca

et al. 2023

Environments

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Understanding trait selection factors is vital for decoding the processes shaping species’ assemblages. However, trait-based studies in freshwater crustacean copepod assemblages are scarce, especially in groundwater environments. We explored how environmental filtering influences functional traits in copepod assemblages across four freshwater habitats (an alluvial aquifer, a hyporheic zone, a stream benthic zone and a lake littoral) along a depth gradient. Each habitat had distinct environmental templates based on light, temperature and dissolved oxygen. We analysed 4898 individuals from 43 copepod species and examined 12 morphological and life history traits. The results revealed significant differences in copepod traits among habitats, notably in ovigerous female biomass, egg biomass and ovigerous female percentages. Furthermore, despite some statistical uncertainty, notable differences were also observed in the number of juveniles, male-to-female abundance ratios and overall biomass. No significant differences were observed in juvenile biomass, egg characteristics, body size dimorphism or juvenile-to-adult ratios among habitats. The trait variations offer insights into copepod-mediated ecosystem services, particularly carbon recycling. To gain a deeper understanding of copepod adaptations to environmental features and anthropogenic changes, future research should consider additional functional traits, such as locomotion and feeding habits.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in Copepod Morphological and Life History Traits along a Vertical Gradient of Freshwater Habitats

Tabilio Di Camillo,

Galassi,

Fiasca

et al. 2023

Environments

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“…The loss of habitats due to changes in land use will worsen the impact of climate change on species and ecological dynamics globally 10 . Most studies that explore changes in plant species distribution and their future distribution only consider climate factors, with little attention paid to the synergistic effects of habitat and climate change 11 – 13 . However, in exploring changes in plant distribution, climate change-driven range expansion occurs in a spatial context.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and protection of Thesium chinense Turcz. under climate and land use change

Zhang,

Chen,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Wild medicinal plants are prominent in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but their availability is being impacted by human activities and ecological degradation in China. To ensure sustainable use of these resources, it is crucial to scientifically plan areas for wild plant cultivation. Thesium chinense, a known plant antibiotic, has been overharvested in recent years, resulting in a sharp reduction in its wild resources. In this study, we employed three atmospheric circulation models and four socio-economic approaches (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) to investigate the primary environmental factors influencing the distribution of T. chinense. We also examined changes in its suitable area using the Biomod2 package. Additionally, we utilized the PLUS model to project and analyze future land use changes in climate-stable regions for T. chinense. Our planning for wild tending areas of T. chinense was facilitated by the ZONATION software. Over the next century, the climate-stable regions for T. chinense in China is approximately 383.05 × 104 km2, while the natural habitat in this region will progressively decline. Under the current climate conditions, about 65.06% of the habitats in the high suitable areas of T. chinense are not affected by future land use changes in China. Through hotspot analysis, we identified 17 hotspot cities as ideal areas for the wild tending of T. chinense, including 6 core hotspot cities, 6 sub-hotspot cities, and 5 fringe hotspot cities. These findings contribute to a comprehensive research framework for the cultivation planning of T. chinense and other medicinal plants.

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“…Despite growing concerns over global groundwater depletion and degradation, and the feedback effect on diverse surface ecosystems, subterranean ecosystems remain the dark exotic siblings of surface water bodies when it comes to conservation (Griebler et al., 2023). Indeed, groundwaters have so far been largely overlooked in global conservation policies, and biodiversity and climate change agendas for water resources (Fišer et al., 2022; Sánchez‐Fernández et al., 2021; Vaccarelli et al., 2023; Wynne et al., 2021). For example, as many as 85% of protected areas with GDEs have groundwater sheds (or catchments) that are unprotected (Huggins et al., 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The groundwater ecosystem is facing mounting anthropogenic pressure (Castaño‐Sánchez et al., 2020; Mammola et al., 2019; Vaccarelli et al., 2023). Water depletion driven by urbanization, industry, agriculture and exacerbated by climate change, has been documented on both regional and global scales (Wada et al., 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem

Saccò,

Mammola,

Altermatt

et al. 2023

Global Change Biology

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Groundwater is a vital ecosystem of the global water cycle, hosting unique biodiversity and providing essential services to societies. Despite being the largest unfrozen freshwater resource, in a period of depletion by extraction and pollution, groundwater environments have been repeatedly overlooked in global biodiversity conservation agendas. Disregarding the importance of groundwater as an ecosystem ignores its critical role in preserving surface biomes. To foster timely global conservation of groundwater, we propose elevating the concept of keystone species into the realm of ecosystems, claiming groundwater as a keystone ecosystem that influences the integrity of many dependent ecosystems. Our global analysis shows that over half of land surface areas (52.6%) has a medium‐to‐high interaction with groundwater, reaching up to 74.9% when deserts and high mountains are excluded. We postulate that the intrinsic transboundary features of groundwater are critical for shifting perspectives towards more holistic approaches in aquatic ecology and beyond. Furthermore, we propose eight key themes to develop a science‐policy integrated groundwater conservation agenda. Given ecosystems above and below the ground intersect at many levels, considering groundwater as an essential component of planetary health is pivotal to reduce biodiversity loss and buffer against climate change.

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A global meta-analysis reveals multilevel and context-dependent effects of climate change on subterranean ecosystems

Cited by 12 publications

References 91 publications

Variation in Copepod Morphological and Life History Traits along a Vertical Gradient of Freshwater Habitats

Variation in Copepod Morphological and Life History Traits along a Vertical Gradient of Freshwater Habitats

Distribution and protection of Thesium chinense Turcz. under climate and land use change

Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem

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