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Biological traits of stream macroinvertebrates from a semi‐arid catchment: patterns along complex environmental gradients
Author(s) -
DÍAZ ANDRÉS MELLADO,
ALONSO MARIA LUISA SUÁREZ,
GUTIÉRREZ MARIA ROSARIO VIDALABARCA
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.2007.01854.x
Subject(s) - habitat , ecology , ordination , streams , arid , environmental gradient , environmental change , water table , disturbance (geology) , invertebrate , natural (archaeology) , abundance (ecology) , environmental science , table (database) , geography , climate change , groundwater , biology , geology , computer network , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , computer science , data mining
Summary 1. The relationships between biological traits of macroinvertebrates and environmental characteristics were investigated in streams with contrasting physical, chemical or landscape level attributes. We used an ordination technique, RLQ analysis, which links an environmental table (R) with traits table (Q) through an abundance table (L) to investigate the relationship between habitat characteristics and biological traits. 2. A major environmental axis explaining the distribution of species and their distinctive biological features was obtained. This axis included variables of anthropogenic pressure (agricultural and urban uses) and natural variability (climatic and geologic) that are strongly intercorrelated in the study area, with a clear spatial component. 3. The attributes of species from frequently disturbed systems (small size, multivoltinism, diapause, ovoviviparity, etc.) were associated with semi‐arid areas whereas traits common in more stable and favourable environments (large body size, semi‐voltinism, isolated eggs, etc.) were found in upland forested areas. 4. The natural climatic variation was proposed as a disturbance axis of a theoretical habitat templet (driven by the intense hydrological disturbances typical of semi‐arid streams), while anthropogenic pressure (mainly intensive agriculture) and high salinity, a natural consequence of geology, was proposed as an adversity axis. Different life‐histories associated with contrasting environmental features were superimposed in this habitat templet. 5. The ecological–evolutionary scenario in which stream macroinvertebrates have evolved and by which their communities are organized, is closely linked to disturbance, environmental harshness and human pressure.