Importance of local and landscape variables on multiple facets of stream fish biodiversity in a Neotropical agroecosystem

Author(s)

Roa-Fuentes, Camilo A. ; Heino, Jani ; Zeni, Jaquelini O. ; Ferraz, Silvio ; Cianciaruso, Marcus V. ; Casatti, Lilian

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Hydrobiologia; v. 849, n. 20, p. 18-pg., 2020-09-08.

Abstract

Few studies have considered the effects of environmental variables at different spatial scales on Neotropical stream biodiversity. Furthermore, scale-related studies mostly include only one facet of biodiversity. To determine the contribution of local and landscape variables to the variation in the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic alpha-diversity of stream fish assemblages, we sampled 85 streams in the Upper Parana River basin, Brazil. Local variables explained a substantial fraction of the variance in almost all biodiversity facets. Landscape variables (i.e., land-use and spatial variables) contributed little to the variation in the alpha-component of biodiversity. Our results thus highlight the importance of local features for maintaining stream fish biodiversity in agroecosystems. Probably, land-use were not significant because the study area was in a relatively homogeneous landscape severely impacted by anthropogenic activities. It is possible that insignificant effects of spatial structuring occurred because the ichthyofauna has already gone through a homogenization process and/or due to the spatial scale of our study. We suggest that even though local-scale restoration actions would influence biodiversity, we should not neglect landscape restoration because substantial improvements in the ecological integrity of streams are more likely to be accomplished with large-scale actions (e.g., re-establishment of the native riparian forest). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/05983-0 - Taxonomic and functional diversity of the stream fish fauna in different agrosystems in the São Paulo State
• Grantee: Lilian Casatti
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/06033-1 - The role of current and historical factors on the patterns of fish beta diversity in agroecosystem streams
• Grantee: Jaquelini de Oliveira Zeni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral