A Network Perspective to Evaluate Hydrological Connectivity Effects on Macroinvertebrate Assemblages
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DEGRADATION AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF ESTUARINE WETLANDS IN CHINA
A Network Perspective to Evaluate Hydrological Connectivity Effects on Macroinvertebrate Assemblages Peng Dou 1,2 & Tian Xie 1 & Shanze Li 3 & Junhong Bai 1 & Baoshan Cui 1 Received: 1 February 2020 / Accepted: 20 May 2020 # Society of Wetland Scientists 2020
Abstract The abundant estuarine wetlands supported by the complex river network in the Pearl River Delta are under intense anthropogenic influence, which threatens the local ecosystem. This paper examines the benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance within the Pearl River Estuary through a field study. Fieldwork, based on the integral index of connectivity (IIC) of the wetland network, was carried out in the Pearl River Estuary. The responses of macroinvertebrate metrics to the integral connectivity gradient in the wetland network were examined. Statistical analyses (CCA) revealed that the benthic abundance in highhydrological-connectivity riverine habitats was clearly distinct from that in low-connectivity habitats. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the diversity and abundance of the macrobenthos populations were determined by the integral connectivity of the wetland network. A non-linear model was developed to depict the relationship between macroinvertebrate diversity and network connectivity. Thus, conservation efforts in estuarine wetlands should focus on the macroinvertebrate diversity response in wetland patches with specific connectivity characteristics in the wetland network of the Pearl River Delta. Keywords Estuarine wetland . Hydrological connectivity . Wetland network . Macroinvertebrate diversity . Integral connectivity
Introduction The abundant river network system of the Pearl River Delta sustains plentiful riparian wetlands in the estuary areas (Gattie et al. 2006; Battin et al. 2008; Aufdenkampe et al. 2011). Nevertheless, the river network system is being progressively subjected to anthropogenic interference, such as flow regulation, channel excavation, and riverbank deterioration, resulting in the destruction of the natural state of the river network in the estuary (Heathwaite 2010; Aschonitis 2016; Tecchio 2016; Wu et al. 2019). The spatial structure of river
* Tian Xie [email protected] * Baoshan Cui [email protected] 1
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
2
Department of Water Environment, Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing 100048, China
3
Department of Water Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
networks has been greatly changed due to such external disturbances (Labonne et al. 2008). Generally, the discontinuous hydrological connectivity obstructs the ecological processes among wetland patches, which could profoundly impact the habitat quality of riparian wetlands in the river delta (Benda et al. 2004; Lasne et al. 2007; Álvarez-Cabria 2016). Riparian wetl
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