Sharp altitudinal gradients in Magellanic Sub-Antarctic streams: patterns along a fluvial system in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (55°S)

Contador, Tamara; Kennedy, James H.; Rozzi, Ricardo; Villarroel, Jaime Ojeda

doi:10.1007/s00300-015-1746-4

Cited by 29 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Average stream water temperature (5.9°C) was only slightly below mean air surface temperature measured at the research station (8.2°C), and reflected the island's temperature regime which is moderated by the surrounding Southern Ocean (Le Roux, 2008). Mean DO in the SPR (12.1 mg/L) is similar to that observed by Contador et al (2015) in the Ro´balo River on sub-Antarctic Navarino Island (8.9-12.6 mg/L).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

“…Study of diel cycles can help reveal which biogeochemical processes occur relatively rapidly in natural waters and therefore which processes play an integral role in the normal functioning of natural water systems . On isolated maritime islands, hydrological systems often exhibit a strong coupling with local and synoptic climatic phenomena that regulate various hydroand bio-geochemical processes (Tomlinson and De Carlo, 2003;Contador et al, 2015). As a result, the physicochemistry of stream water often responds quickly to even small changes in climate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High-frequency monitoring of stream water physicochemistry on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Stowe

Hedding

Eckardt

et al. 2018

WSA

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Given the remoteness and challenging environmental conditions on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, continuous high-resolution studies of the island's natural water systems are rare. Subsequently, current understanding of the island's hydrochemistry is based entirely on manual point-based measurements. To address this research gap we analysed continuous, in-situ highfrequency physicochemical measurements (pH, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and electrical conductivity (EC)) from the Soft Plume River over the period 21 April 2015-26 April 2015. We observed a sharp, short-term response from all measurements to a precipitation event that was superimposed on consistent but subtle diel (i.e. 24 h) cycles throughout the study. Total variation in pH and electrical conductivity amounted to 1.3 units and 27.7 µS/cm respectively. Stream water temperature was less variable (6.2°C) than air surface temperature (14.2°C). Total variation in DO was 2.0 mg/L. Aside from the precipitation-induced response, diel oscillations were small and only visible through the use of continuous, highresolution monitoring. Findings highlight the advantages of continuous high-frequency monitoring in capturing the range of daily variation and elucidating diel cycles in stream water physicochemistry on sub-Antarctic Marion Island that have not previously been accounted for.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-frequency monitoring of stream water physicochemistry on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Stowe

Hedding

Eckardt

et al. 2018

WSA

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“…The Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion lies between 47-56° S, and is an area characterized by low altitude mountainous terrain (~1000 m a.s.l. ), with short, steep and marked environmental gradients (Contador et al 2015). In addition, the buffering effect of the ocean on temperature reduces drastically with elevation, which decreases by approximately 1° C for each 100 m increase in elevation (Contador et al 2015, Méndez, Rozzi & Cavieres 2013.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), with short, steep and marked environmental gradients (Contador et al 2015). In addition, the buffering effect of the ocean on temperature reduces drastically with elevation, which decreases by approximately 1° C for each 100 m increase in elevation (Contador et al 2015, Méndez, Rozzi & Cavieres 2013. While this ecoregion is considered one of the last pristine areas left in the world (Mittermeier et al 2003), it is not free from the effects of global environmental change, massive tourism and introduced species (Rozzi et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…through demonstrating variable voltinism patterns and physiological optima) (Contador et al 2014, Contador & Kennedy 2016. However, although much effort has been devoted to studying ecological patterns in running waters across steep altitudinal gradients (see Contador et al 2015, Moorman et al 2006, lentic ecosystems in this region remain understudied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peer Review #1 of "Altitudinal gradients in Magellanic sub-Antarctic lagoons: the effect of elevation on freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and distribution (v0.1)"

2019

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Background. The study of altitudinal gradients provides insights about species diversity, distribution patterns and related drivers. The Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion has a steep elevational gradient, peaking at around 1000 m a.s.l., and marked changes in temperature and landscape composition can be observed over relatively short distances. Methods. This study assessed freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity associated with lakes and ponds along the altitudinal gradient of a Magellanic sub-Antarctic watershed. Results. A monotonic decline in species richness was observed with increasing elevation, with simpler and more even community composition at higher altitude. This pattern differs from the mid-peak trend found in streams of the same watershed. Functional feeding group structure also diminished with increasing elevation. Discussion. The study provides a descriptive baseline of macroinvertebrate community structure associated with lentic freshwater ecosystems in the Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion, and confirms that elevation has substantial effects on community structure, function and environmental features, even in these relatively low elevation mountain ranges. The harsh environmental conditions of this ecoregion increase freshwater macroinvertebrate development time, as well as decreasing habitat availability and food supply, supporting simple but well adapted communities. In conjunction with previous research, this study provides a watershed-scale platform of information underpinning future long-term research in the region.

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A polar insect's tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica

Contador

Gañán

Rendoll-Cárcamo

et al. 2023

Ecology

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Sharp altitudinal gradients in Magellanic Sub-Antarctic streams: patterns along a fluvial system in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (55°S)

Cited by 29 publications

References 21 publications

High-frequency monitoring of stream water physicochemistry on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

High-frequency monitoring of stream water physicochemistry on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

Peer Review #1 of "Altitudinal gradients in Magellanic sub-Antarctic lagoons: the effect of elevation on freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and distribution (v0.1)"

A polar insect's tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica

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