Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: July 30, 2019
Effects of secondary salinisation on macroinvertebrate functional traits in surface mining-contaminated streams, and
Qian Zhao1, Fen Guo2, Yuan Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Abstract:
Secondary salinisation has become a hot spot internationally due to its adverse effects on freshwater ecosystems. Although its effects on ecosystem patterns has been broadly studied, its potential effect on ecosystem functions, in particular on the functional traits of freshwater organisms, and functional trait recovery are largely unknown. In this study, we conducted a field investigation at 405 sample sites from May 2009 to July 2016 in surface mining-contaminated streams, in order to evaluate the influence of secondary salinisation on macroinvertebrate functional traits and the recovery potential of dominant functional traits. Results of univariate models showed that sensitive, very tolerant, gill-breathers, cutaneous-breathers, shredders, predators and gatherers were the most responsive indicators to enhanced specific conductivity and sulfate loadings with sensitive, gill-breathers, shredders and predators demonstrating a reduction in abundance, whereas cutaneous-breathers and gatherers exhibiting an increase. Complicated relationships among different species indicated that co-exclusions would not occur because all macroinvertebrate taxa exhibited positive correlations. Results of relative recovery potential showed that omnivores and gatherers recovered quickly following improvements in water quality, whereas gill-breathers, pneumostome-breathers, filterers and scrapers would be expected to recover slowly due to their sensitivity to both specific conductivity and sulfate and low drift propensity. Overall, secondary salinisation has posed severely ecological risks to macroinvertebrate functional attributes in surface mining-contaminated streams, and their effects should be considered in future conservation plans.
Related Concept Videos
Stream Function
Polygenic Traits
Trait and State Self-Esteem
Multiple Allele Traits
Traits and States
X-linked Traits

