| Abstract | Human-induced water level fuctuations (WLFs) are among the major pressures threatening lake ecosystems. Their efect on meiobenthic species of the littoral zone has been poorly investigated. In this study, we aimed at assessing the efects of human-induced WLFs on the composition and functionality of the benthic copepod assemblages of the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore, Italy and Switzerland. From 1942 to present, the water level of Lake Maggiore has been regulated through the Miorina Dam. We monitored copepod assemblages during diferent water levels defned within the period of regulation by the dam, using taxonomy- and trait-based metrics. We observed variation in the overall abundance and biomass of copepods, as well as in the number of individuals belonging to some trait classes such as ovigerous females, opportunists, omnivores and deposit
feeders. None of the investigated trait class was completely lost. The results of our study suggest that ecosystem services supplied by the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore are likely altered by human-induced WLFs.
Our fndings provide a frst picture of WLF impacts on benthic copepod assemblages, which can be useful for future research expanding on other functional traits. |
| Authors | Cifoni Marco, Angela Boggero, Michela Rogora, Marzia Ciampittiello, Alejandro Martínez, Diana Maria Paola Galassi, Barbara Fiasca, Tiziana Di Lorenzo |
| Text | 469694 2022 10.1007/s10750 022 04960 3 Functional traits Community ecology Meiofauna Lentic waters Biomass Effects of human induced water level fluctuations on copepod assemblages of the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore Cifoni Marco, Angela Boggero, Michela Rogora, Marzia Ciampittiello, Alejandro Martinez, Diana Maria Paola Galassi, Barbara Fiasca, Tiziana Di Lorenzo Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems CNR IRET , National Research Council, Via Madonna del Piano, 10, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy Water Research Institute CNR IRSA , National Research Council, Corso Tonolli, 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito, 67100 L Aquila, Italy Human induced water level fuctuations WLFs are among the major pressures threatening lake ecosystems. Their efect on meiobenthic species of the littoral zone has been poorly investigated. In this study, we aimed at assessing the efects of human induced WLFs on the composition and functionality of the benthic copepod assemblages of the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore, Italy and Switzerland. From 1942 to present, the water level of Lake Maggiore has been regulated through the Miorina Dam. We monitored copepod assemblages during diferent water levels defned within the period of regulation by the dam, using taxonomy and trait based metrics. We observed variation in the overall abundance and biomass of copepods, as well as in the number of individuals belonging to some trait classes such as ovigerous females, opportunists, omnivores and deposit feeders. None of the investigated trait class was completely lost. The results of our study suggest that ecosystem services supplied by the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore are likely altered by human induced WLFs. Our fndings provide a frst picture of WLF impacts on benthic copepod assemblages, which can be useful for future research expanding on other functional traits. Published version https //link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10750 022 04960 3.pdf Effects of human induced water level fluctuations on copepod assemblages of the littoral zone of Lake Maggiore 2022_Meiofauna_WLF_LMaggiore.pdf Articolo in rivista Kluwer 1573 5117 Hydrobiologia Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia. Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia Dordrecht Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia Boston Dordr., Online Hydrobiologia London Dordr., Online angela.boggero BOGGERO ANGELA marzia.ciampittiello CIAMPITTIELLO MARZIA michela.rogora ROGORA MICHELA tiziana.dilorenzo DI LORENZO TIZIANA alejandro.martinezgarcia MARTINEZ GARCIA ALEJANDRO |
