Modelling and predicting biogeographical patterns in river networks

Abstract

Statistical analysis and interpretation of biogeographical phenomena in rivers is now possible using a spatially explicit modelling framework, which has seen significant developments in the past decade. I used this approach to identify a spatial extent (geostatistical range) in which the abundance of the parasitic freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera L.) is spatially autocorrelated in river networks. I show that biomass and abundance of host fish are a likely explanation for the autocorrelation in mussel abundance within a 15-km spatial extent. The application of universal kriging with the empirical model enabled precise prediction of mussel abundance within segments of river networks, something that has the potential to inform conservation biogeography. Although I used a variety of modelling approaches in my thesis, I focus here on the details of this relatively new spatial stream network model, thus advancing the study of biogeographical patterns in river networks.

Conservation of interacting species in network‐constrained environments

“…The study of biodiversity patterns and processes in river ecosystems was defined under the concept of riverscape (Fausch, Torgersen, Baxter, & Li, ; Wiens, ) that included the study of patterns and processes in several independent drainage basins. However, compared with terrestrial ecosystems, riverine systems have received less attention in development of appropriate statistical models and analytical techniques (Isaak et al., ; Lois, ) and river ecosystems have especially received less attention from a biogeographical perspective (Olden et al., ). Presently, most studies of biogeographical patterns in rivers have used techniques for terrestrial environments and conservation on rivers has been rarely addressed from a spatially explicit network perspective.…”