Hydroclimatic and hydrochemical controls on Plecoptera diversity and distribution in northern freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems in the mid-to upper-latitudes of the northern hemisphere are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change as slight changes in air temperature can alter the form, timing, and magnitude of precipitation and consequent influence of snowmelt on streamflow dynamics. Here, we examine the effects of hydro-climate, flow regime, and hydrochemistry on Plecoptera (stonefly) alpha (a) diversity and distribution in northern freshwater ecosystems. We characterized the hydroclimatic regime of seven catchments spanning a climatic gradient across the northern temperate region and compared them with estimates of Plecoptera genera richness. By a spacefor-time substitution, we assessed how warmer temperatures and altered flow regimes may influence Plecoptera alpha diversity and composition at the genus level. Our results show wide hydroclimatic variability among sites, including differences in temporal streamflow dynamics and temperature response. Principal component analysis showed that Plecoptera Handling editor: Mariana MeerhoffElectronic supplementary material The online version of this article (genera richness was positively correlated with catchment relief (m), mean and median annual air temperature (°C), and streamflow. These results provide a preliminary insight into how hydroclimatic change, particularly in terms of increased air temperature and altered streamflow regimes, may create future conditions more favorable to some Plecopteras in northern catchments.

Catchments on the cusp? Structural and functional change in northern ecohydrology

“…Relationship between Plecoptera genera diversity and median annual flow (Q50) for selected North‐Watch sites. Kr, Krycklan; Do, Dorset; Gi, Girnock; Mh, Mharcaidh; St, Strontian; HA, HJ Andrews (after Kruitbos et al , )…”

Cross‐regional prediction of long‐term trajectory of stream water DOC response to climate change

“…The regional annual average DOC concentration was compared to MAT for the region based on the most recent 30-year record. The regional MAT-DOC model was then tested on nine of the most well-investigated research catchments in the mid-to high latitude regions that are part of the North-Watch inter-comparison project [Carey et al, 2010;Kruitbos et al, 2012].…”

The influence of environmental variables on larval growth of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in natural and deforested streams

“…Nemouridae is a widespread cold water family (Kruitbos 2012). Other families like Leuctridae, Perlidae and genus Isoperla (Bauman 1979;Lillehammer et al 1989;Kruitbos 2012) are widespread also in warmer streams.…”

“…Other families like Leuctridae, Perlidae and genus Isoperla (Bauman 1979;Lillehammer et al 1989;Kruitbos 2012) are widespread also in warmer streams. The diet of stonefly shredders exerts some influence on the seasonal pattern of larval growth, but temperature may play a more important role (Sweeney & Vannote 1986).…”

“…Plecoptera richness (Kruitbos 2012) was positively correlated with catchment relief, annual temperature regime, and streamflow.…”