Groundwater amphipods alter aquifer sediment structure

Stumpp, Christine; Hose, Grant C.

doi:10.1002/hyp.11252

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For instance, copepod species interactions could play a role in determining the biological assemblages in VO_GWB as already observed in other aquifers [74]. Similarly, previous studies showed that the grain size composition of sediments [75][76][77], and the lowering of the groundwater table [21,75], could influence the biological assemblage's patterns in alluvial aquifers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Potential of A Trait-Based Approach in the Characterization of An N-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer

Lorenzo

Murolo

Fiasca

et al. 2019

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Groundwater communities residing in contaminated aquifers have been investigated mainly through taxonomy-based approaches (i.e., analyzing taxonomic richness and abundances) while ecological traits have been rarely considered. The aim of this study was to assess whether a trait analysis adds value to the traditional taxonomy-based biomonitoring in N-contaminated aquifers. To this end, we monitored 40 bores in the Vomano alluvial aquifer (VO_GWB, Italy) for two years. The aquifer is a nitrate vulnerable zone according to the Water Framework Directive. The traditional taxonomy-based approach revealed an unexpectedly high biodiversity (38 taxa and 5725 individuals), dominated by crustaceans, comparable to that of other unpolluted alluvial aquifers worldwide. This result is in contrast with previous studies and calls into question the sensitivity of stygobiotic species to N-compounds. The trait analysis provided an added value to the study, unveiling signs of impairments of the groundwater community such as low juveniles-to-adults and males-to-females ratios and a crossover of biomasses and abundances curves suggestive of an intermediate alteration of the copepod assemblages.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Potential of A Trait-Based Approach in the Characterization of An N-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer

Lorenzo

Murolo

Fiasca

et al. 2019

Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This reflects the inherent difficulty of making direct, real-time, observations within subsurface sediments (but see Stumpp & Hose, 2017). Recent studies using individual organisms in mesocosms filled with transparent sediments have facilitated direct observations of invertebrate movements and stranding within subsurface sediments in response to a reduction in water level and drying (e.g., Stumpp & Hose, 2013;Vadher et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct observations of the effect of fine sediment deposition on the vertical movement of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) during substratum drying

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Benthic macroinvertebrates inhabit the streambed sediments of temporary streams during drying events. Fine sediment (\ 2 mm in diameter) deposition and clogging of interstitial pathways reduces the connectivity between benthic and subsurface habitats, potentially inhibiting macroinvertebrate vertical movements. Direct observations within subsurface sediments are, however, inherently difficult. As a result, confirmation of macroinvertebrate vertical movement, and the effect of fine sediment, is limited. We used laboratory mesocosms containing transparent gravel sized particles (10-15 mm) to facilitate the direct observation and tracking of vertical movements by Gammarus pulex in response to water level reduction and sedimentation. Seven sediment treatments comprised two fine sediment fractions (small: 0.125-0.5 mm, coarse sand: 0.5-1 mm) deposited onto the surface of the substrate, and a control treatment where no fine sediment was applied. We found that G. pulex moved into the subsurface gravel sediments in response to drying, but their ability to remain submerged during water level reduction was impeded by fine sediment deposition. In particular deposition of the coarser sand fraction clogged the sediment surface, limiting vertical movements. Our results highlight the potential effect of sedimentation on G. pulex resistance to drying events in streams.

show abstract

“…, Mermillod‐Blondin and Rosenberg , Nogaro et al. , Stumpp and Hose ). This is an example of fluvial zoogeomorphology (Butler ) the process through which animals alter the geomorphology and sedimentology of their environment (Rice et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…There is a growing body of literature demonstrating that animals including fish and macroinvertebrates can also alter the accumulation and distribution of fine sediment (Statzner et al 1996, Zanetell and Peckarsky 1996, Nogaro et al 2006, Pledger et al 2017) via the expenditure of biotic energy . For example, macroinvertebrate prey may winnow fine sediment from interstitial spaces and thereby maintain and/or re-establish vertical connectivity and migration pathways within the river bed (Visoni and Moulton 2003, Mermillod-Blondin et al 2004, Mermillod-Blondin and Rosenberg 2006, Nogaro et al 2006, Stumpp and Hose 2017. This is an example of fluvial zoogeomorphology (Butler 1995) the process through which animals alter the geomorphology and sedimentology of their environment (Rice et al 2012, Statzner 2012, Albertson and Allen 2015, Vu and Pennings 2017.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predator, prey, and substrate interactions: the role of faunal activity and substrate characteristics

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many taxa possess a range of strategies to reduce the risk of predation, including actively seeking suitable refuge habitats; however, the global spread of invasive species may disrupt these behavioral responses. In lotic ecosystems, interstitial spaces in the substrate are important refugia for small organisms. Some predators are ecosystem engineers that exhibit zoogeomorphic agency-the ability to modify the geomorphology of their environment. It is therefore possible that direct ecological effects of predators on prey may be realized through modifications to the prey's habitat, including the availability of refugia, by predators that are zoogeomorphic agents or via external stressors such as fine sediment loading. This study examined three research questions in a mesocosm study across a gradient of sediment-stress treatments: (1) What affects do predators (Pacifastacus leniusculus, invasive crayfish) and prey (Gammarus pulex, amphipods) have on the ingress of fine sediment into gravel substrates and therefore on available interstitial refugia? (2) Do prey taxa seek refuge from (invasive) predators in the form of vertical movement into subsurface sediments? and (3) How does fine sediment ingress influence predator-prey interactions and prey survival through predator avoidance behavior. Here, we provide direct evidence demonstrating that fine sediment ingress into gravel river beds can be facilitated by zoogeomorphic activity with P. leniusculus increasing the infiltration of fine sand particles (but not coarse sand) during foraging activities. Predator-prey interactions were found to be a primary factor mediating zoogeomorphic activity, with the isolation of crayfish from prey (G. pulex) leading to increased fine sand ingress. When present with signal crayfish, G. pulex displayed vertical avoidance behavior, entering subsurface substrates to evade predation by P. leniusculus. Coarse sand treatments resulted in higher predation rates of G. pulex, most likely due to clogging of interstitial pore spaces between gravels limiting the effectiveness of the prey's vertical avoidance behavior strategy. A new conceptual model that captures the interactions between predator, prey, zoogeomorphic processes and habitat availability is presented. This model highlights how predator-prey interactions can be strongly mediated by dynamic bi-directional interactions between organisms and the physical environment they inhabit as ecological and geomorphological processes are intrinsically linked.

show abstract

Groundwater amphipods alter aquifer sediment structure

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Potential of A Trait-Based Approach in the Characterization of An N-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer

Potential of A Trait-Based Approach in the Characterization of An N-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer

Direct observations of the effect of fine sediment deposition on the vertical movement of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) during substratum drying

Predator, prey, and substrate interactions: the role of faunal activity and substrate characteristics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About