Aquatic invertebrate assemblages as potential indicators of restoration conditions in wetlands of Northeastern China

Abstract

Wetland restoration has been implemented widely but evaluation of the effectiveness of wetland restoration has been limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of aquatic invertebrate assemblages as potential indicators of restoration condition in wetlands of the Sanjiang Plain, Northeastern China. Results from non‐metric multidimensional scaling analysis of invertebrate assemblages showed that study wetlands (n = 16) divided into two groups: natural wetlands and wetlands that have been restored for 4 years were classified as a group, and impaired wetlands and wetlands restored for only 1 year were classified into another group. After 4 years of recovery, 47.9% of invertebrate taxa found at the natural wetlands could also be found at the restored wetlands, primarily insects with aerial dispersal capabilities for rapid colonization. Indicator species analysis identified differences in community composition among wetland types, and Amphiagrion sp. and Bezzia sp. were indicators of the restored wetlands. In Northeastern China, aquatic invertebrate assemblages and certain indicator species may provide robust measures of wetland restoration. It is urgent for further exploration to monitor restored wetlands in the long‐time series and fully assess the efficiency of the restoration.

Functional diversity of macroinvertebrates as a tool to evaluate wetland restoration

“…Odonata) and are predators, with reference sites reflect their greater maturity and structural complexity (Coccia et al., 2016), providing more oviposition sites and prey. Other studies elsewhere showed predominance of high dispersal taxa in new restored ponds (Barnes, 1983; Kim et al., 2014; Lu et al., 2021; Ruhí et al, 2013). Although communities in both wetland types are largely re‐assembled through colonization from nearby permanent wetlands, new ponds are more dominated by early colonizers whose movement from one new pond to another could be enhanced either by their homogeneous environmental conditions or their spatial configuration.…”

Assessing the Landscape Ecological Health (LEH) of Wetlands: Research Content and Evaluation Methods (2000–2022)

“…For instance, Stewart and Schriever [5] investigated the relative effects of environmental and spatial factors on the beta diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages across 36 interdunal wetlands from five freshwater dune complexes in two eco-regions spanning a latitudinal gradient across Lake Michigan. Other researchers have also studied the potential utility of aquatic invertebrate communities as indicators of the wetland restoration status in the Sanjiang Plain in northeastern China [144] and the paucity of plant species in a Danish wetland 17 years after restoration [4].…”

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“…For instance, a restored stream in China showed almost 50% of the taxa found in a natural undisturbed stream after about 4 years also occurred in a restored stream. Specific species of damselfly and biting midges were found to be good indicators of the restoration success (Lu et al, 2021). In other cases, crustaceans have been used along with fish, to assess restoration efforts.…”