Application of r/K selection to macroinvertebrate responses to extreme floods

作者：Chiu Ming Chih; Kuo Mei Hwa^*

来源：Ecological Entomology, 2012, 37(2): 145-154.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2311.2012.01346.x

• Aquatic insects
• climate change
• ecological response
• extreme weather
• flow regime

1. Due to climate change, contemporary climate scenarios forecast an increase in extreme weather, which may have considerable impacts on the world%26apos;s riverine ecosystems. Because the flow regime is a primary determinant of the structure and function of lotic ecosystems, changes in the weather could fundamentally alter these ecosystems through changes in hydrologic disturbance regimes. %26lt;br%26gt;2. In this paper, we use the abundance/biomass comparison ( ABC) method, based on r/K selection theory, and event probability distribution to characterise the responses of macroinvertebrates in Taiwan mountain streams to extreme floods. %26lt;br%26gt;3. Severe impacts on macroinvertebrates, resulting in a large shift in community structure toward r-selected taxa, usually were observed the year after extreme floods. %26lt;br%26gt;4. Macroinvertebrate communities dominated by K-selected taxa had more individuals with traits conferring resistance to flooding disturbance, while those dominated byr-selected taxa had more individuals with traits conferring resilience. %26lt;br%26gt;5. This relationship between the changes in flow regime and the ecological response of r-and K-selected taxa may be exploited to understand the potential effects of flood extremes in the future, and to keep decision makers informed about the ecological consequences of climate-mediated changes to hydrological regimes.

• 出版日期2012-4