Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Longitudinal variability in lateral hydrologic connectivity shapes fish occurrence in temporary floodplain ponds
AU - Belisario D'araujo Couto, Thiago
AU - Zuanon, Jansen
AU - Ferraz, Gonçalo
AU - Olden, Julian D.
PY - 2017/5/1
Y1 - 2017/5/1
N2 - Dynamic flow regimes maintain critical connections between main channel and adjacent floodplain habitats that provide fish access to shelter, foraging, and spawning opportunities. Our study advances the understanding of these processes by exploring the importance of coupled longitudinal–lateral connectivity for determining species occurrence in headwater streams of the Amazon. Using a multispecies occupancy model, we revealed a clear pattern of species addition in the downstream direction in temporary floodplain ponds, associated with changes in the pool of potential colonists present in the channel and with increasing lateral hydrologic connectivity. Species that are more tolerant of stagnant waters and those able to disperse in shallow habitats (e.g., Anablepsoides micropus) occurred frequently in ponds along the entire longitudinal extent, whereas those species preferring lotic habitats were present only in the most downstream sites. We also observed increasing similarity of pond and channel communities with distance downstream. This study provides insights on the spatial structuring of tropical fish communities in response to flood-induced hydrologic connectivity and further highlights the vulnerability of floodplain fishes to modification in flooding regimes.
AB - Dynamic flow regimes maintain critical connections between main channel and adjacent floodplain habitats that provide fish access to shelter, foraging, and spawning opportunities. Our study advances the understanding of these processes by exploring the importance of coupled longitudinal–lateral connectivity for determining species occurrence in headwater streams of the Amazon. Using a multispecies occupancy model, we revealed a clear pattern of species addition in the downstream direction in temporary floodplain ponds, associated with changes in the pool of potential colonists present in the channel and with increasing lateral hydrologic connectivity. Species that are more tolerant of stagnant waters and those able to disperse in shallow habitats (e.g., Anablepsoides micropus) occurred frequently in ponds along the entire longitudinal extent, whereas those species preferring lotic habitats were present only in the most downstream sites. We also observed increasing similarity of pond and channel communities with distance downstream. This study provides insights on the spatial structuring of tropical fish communities in response to flood-induced hydrologic connectivity and further highlights the vulnerability of floodplain fishes to modification in flooding regimes.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0388
U2 - 10.1139/cjfas-2016-0388
DO - 10.1139/cjfas-2016-0388
M3 - Journal article
VL - 75
SP - 319
EP - 328
JO - Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
JF - Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
SN - 1205-7533
IS - 2
ER -