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Increasing climate-driven taxonomic homogenization but functional differentiation among river macroinvertebrate
Théophile L Mouton1, Jonathan D Tonkin2, Fabrice Stephenson3
1MARBEC, UMR IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, Université Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex, France.
Global Change Biology
|October 8, 2020
Summary
Global change drives taxonomic homogenization but functional differentiation in freshwater macroinvertebrates. This shift, influenced by climate and human factors, may enhance ecosystem resilience despite species changes.
Area of Science:
- Freshwater ecology
- Biodiversity science
- Global change biology
Background:
- Biotic homogenization is increasing globally, altering ecosystem functions.
- Taxonomic homogenization is well-studied, but functional homogenization is under-researched.
- Understanding long-term biodiversity changes is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-term (1991-2016) changes in taxonomic and functional diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates.
- To identify drivers of these changes at various spatial scales (global to reach).
- To assess the implications of these changes for ecosystem stability and resilience.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed annual data from 64 river sites in New Zealand.
- Quantified temporal changes in spatial beta-diversity (taxonomic and functional).
- Related diversity changes to environmental descriptors (climate, anthropogenic, topographic, biotic factors).
Main Results:
- Observed long-term trends towards taxonomic homogenization and functional differentiation.
- Changes were primarily driven by species and trait replacements, not nested loss.
- Climate was a major driver, amplified by other environmental factors.
- Rates of change were similar for taxonomic and functional diversity.
Conclusions:
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate communities exhibit taxonomic homogenization alongside functional differentiation.
- Functional diversification may confer greater ecosystem stability and resilience.
- Further research on temporal biodiversity trajectories is needed to predict ecosystem responses to global change.
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