Parallels and contrasts between intermittently freezing and drying streams: from individual adaptations to biodiversity variation
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2019 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Freshwater Biology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | Full Text |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13373 |
| Keywords | streams; drying; freezing; intermittence; ecological similarity |
| Description | 1. Intermittently drying and intermittently freezing lotic systems are common in many parts of the world. These ecosystems provide dynamic habitats for biota, as both freezing and drying result in the loss of water flow in stream and river channels. However, despite the commonness of both of these ecosystems, research on the ecological effects of intermittent freezing and drying on stream biota has remained relatively scarce. 2. Climate change is predicted to change the distribution and dynamics of both intermittently freezing and drying stream types. Whereas the occurrence of intermittently drying streams is predicted to increase, the occurrence of intermittently freezing streams is predicted to decrease as a result of the warmer climate. 3. In this review, we compared the effects of both freezing and drying on stream biota, ranging from individual adaptations to population dynamics, community-level biodiversity variation and food webs. 4. We show how, despite the deep contrasts in the abiotic environment, both freezing and drying phenomena have similar pervasive effects on the structure and dynamics of stream biota. 5. We highlight the importance to focus more research on the ecological effects of freezing in stream ecosystems. Deeper understanding of the responses of stream biota to intermittent freezing and drying can help in managing and predicting the effects of climate change on stream ecosystems in the future. |
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