Percorrer por autor "Leston, S."
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- Realistic scenarios of environmental disturbance lead to functionally important changes in benthic species-environment interactionsPublication . Dolbeth, M.; Crespo, D.; Leston, S.; Solan, M.Changes in community structure concurrent with environmental forcing often form a precursor to changes in species diversity, and can have substantive consequences for ecosystem functioning. Here, we assess the effects of altered levels of evenness that are representative of different levels of eutrophication and changes in salinity associated with altered precipitation patterns, on the mediation of nutrient release by sediment-dwelling invertebrate communities. We find that an adjustment towards a more even distribution of species corresponds with an increase in sediment particle reworking that, in general, translates to increased levels of nutrient release. This response, however, is dependent on the functional role of each species in the community and is influenced by concomitant changes in salinity, especially when salinity extends beyond the range typically experienced by the community. Overall, our findings highlight the dynamic nature of species contributions to functioning and reinforce the importance of understanding when, and how, the mechanistic basis of species-environment interactions are modified as the influence of abiotic and biotic factors flex under periods of directional forcing.
- Resilience of an isopod population (Cyathura carinata) to multiple stress factors in a temperate estuarine systemPublication . Bordalo, M. D.; Ferreira, Susana; Cardoso, P. G.; Leston, S.; Pardal, M. A.The Mondego Estuary (Portugal) underwent major modifications in the late 1980s, because of eutrophication, for which it was developed a restoration programme that has been effective in recovering seagrass beds. Recently, this system has been affected by successive weather extremes: floods, droughts, and heat waves. The effect of these multiple stressors on a Cyathura carinata (Isopoda) population has been evaluated, through a long-term data series (16 years) in a seagrass bed, an intermediate area, and a sand flat. A well age-structured and abundant population of C. carinata was observed in the sand flat, in contrast with the seagrass bed and intermediate area. After introducing the restoration measures, C. carinata’s abundance increased even in the stations where it was formerly scarce. This recovery was compromised by successive extreme events. C. carinata declined severely in terms of total abundance and growth production during the 2003 summer heat wave, at the sand flat, also endangering its reproductive success. Floods and droughts affected dispersion of the individuals, which was reflected in the population’s density and production. Nevertheless, this isopod had great resilience, recovering successfully after disturbances. In contrast, the population of C. carinata had less resilience in the seagrass bed and intermediate area, being unable to recover after a succession of disturbances, which may threaten the success of this species in the system. Because the frequency and intensity of weather extremes are expected to continue to increase in a scenario of global climate change, their repercussions will affect such populations, which will have difficulty surviving. This will have severe implications on the functioning of the whole ecosystem.