Multiple stressor responses of stream benthos to nutrient enrichment and inorganic sedimentation

dc.contributor.advisorBenoy, Glenn
dc.contributor.advisorCulp, Joseph
dc.contributor.authorChase, Justin
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-01T16:29:21Z
dc.date.available2023-03-01T16:29:21Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.date.updated2016-07-15T00:00:00Z
dc.description.abstractThere is a need to investigate freshwater ecosystem degradation as a function of multiple, often coinciding factors (stressors). Artificial stream systems known as mesocosms provide a useful means of disentangling the contributions of individual stressors acting in a multiple stressor environment while also investigating interactions between these factors. This thesis examines the impacts of locally relevant levels of nutrient loading and inorganic sedimentation on benthic invertebrate assemblages characteristic of northern temperate streams. Experimental manipulations were performed using a mesocosm system consisting of 96 self-contained artificial streams. Key questions addressed included: (1) what are the individual contributions of sedimentation and nutrient loading when simultaneously acting on benthic environments; and (2) do multiple-stressor impacts simply match the effect of the most deleterious stressor or are stressors worse in combination than alone? Complex multiple-stressor relationships were observed between nutrients and fine sediment, and combined effects could not be inferred from information on single-stressor effects. Several individual invertebrate taxa, such as Lepidostomatidae caddisflies, responded positively to additions of nutrients and fine sediment, although the apparent subsidy from single factors was often suppressed under multiple-stressor conditions. Sediment functioned exclusively as a habitat variable, and the effects on individual taxa were dependant on their specific habitat requirements (niches). Nutrients drove shifts in periphytic algal composition, from low-profile diatom dominated communities to stands of high-profile diatoms with an overstory of mostly filamentous green algae. Moderate nutrient enrichment was related to increased organism density, particularly among herbivores, although densities of several taxa declined with high enrichment, especially when coupled with sediment addition. This suggests that in highly enriched systems the food resource subsidy is confounded by habitat related stress, as excessive algal accumulation smothers the substrate and clogs interstitial spaces. Therefore, in highly impacted streams stressor mechanism overlap is probable, as both algal accumulation and sedimentation contribute to deterioration of benthic/hyporheic habitat. Given that these stressors strongly co-vary along agricultural land use gradients, it should be anticipated that with increased agricultural intensity the cooperative action of nutrients and sediment will amplify, leading to ecological impacts that far exceed that of either driver individually. Pollution standards and management practices should reflect this precept and the independent management of common non-point source pollutants should be phased out in favour of comprehensive, multiple-stressor strategies.
dc.description.copyright© Justin Chase, 2013
dc.description.note(UNB accession number) Thesis 9167. (OCoLC) 862154481
dc.description.noteThesis (M. Sc.) University of New Brunswick, Dept. of Biology, 2013.
dc.formattext/xml
dc.format.extentxi, 57 pages : illustrations (some colour)
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.identifier.oclc(OCoLC)862154481
dc.identifier.otherThesis 9167
dc.identifier.urihttps://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/13958
dc.language.isoen_CA
dc.publisherUniversity of New Brunswick
dc.rightshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.subject.disciplineBiology
dc.subject.lcshBenthos--Effect of contaminated sediments on
dc.subject.lcshStream ecology--Canada
dc.subject.lcshBenthos--Effect of stress on
dc.subject.lcshNutrient pollution of water
dc.subject.lcshInorganic wastes
dc.titleMultiple stressor responses of stream benthos to nutrient enrichment and inorganic sedimentation
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineBiology
thesis.degree.fullnameMaster of Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of New Brunswick
thesis.degree.levelmasters
thesis.degree.nameM.Sc.

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