Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers?
Abstract Background Long-term biomonitoring of macroinvertebrates is a popular and valuable approach for assessing the status of freshwater ecosystems, identifying the impact of stressors, and evaluating ecosystem health. Although macroinvertebrate-based biomonitoring can be effective in detecting c...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00877-x |
| _version_ | 1797219906600566784 |
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| author | Phillip J. Haubrock Ismael Soto Irmak Kurtul Antonín Kouba |
| author_facet | Phillip J. Haubrock Ismael Soto Irmak Kurtul Antonín Kouba |
| author_sort | Phillip J. Haubrock |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Long-term biomonitoring of macroinvertebrates is a popular and valuable approach for assessing the status of freshwater ecosystems, identifying the impact of stressors, and evaluating ecosystem health. Although macroinvertebrate-based biomonitoring can be effective in detecting changes in distribution patterns and community trends over time, crayfish often remain undetected or unreported by biomonitoring efforts despite their importance in maintaining the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Results By analyzing a comprehensive database of long-term macroinvertebrate time series, we found that most sampling methods and assessment schemes can detect both native and non-native crayfish in running waters if sites are continuously sampled. However, native crayfish were detected to a lesser extent and by fewer methods. Kick-net sampling and assessment techniques prevailed as the most efficient methods for capturing crayfish. However, the substantial number of time series lacking crayfish data calls into question whether these methods are sufficiently comprehensive to encapsulate crayfish populations accurately. The use of other targeted methods such as baited traps or hand catching may provide a more reliable estimate of their presence. Conclusions Given the detrimental impacts of non-native crayfish and the decline in native crayfish populations, we strongly recommend that stakeholders and managers incorporate a combination of these approaches into their monitoring efforts. The use of different taxonomic levels (family vs. genus vs. species level) in estimating biological indices and biomonitoring tools can cause delays in identifying new non-native specie’s occurrences, hindering effective water quality assessment and ecosystem management by governments and stakeholders. Therefore, whenever possible, we call for standardized taxonomic levels for biomonitoring studies and management strategies to accurately address these issues and make recommendations going forward. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:41:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-00622a55fc124632a2f74e3ff026912a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2190-4715 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:41:05Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| spelling | doaj.art-00622a55fc124632a2f74e3ff026912a2024-04-07T11:11:40ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47152024-04-0136111410.1186/s12302-024-00877-xAre long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers?Phillip J. Haubrock0Ismael Soto1Irmak Kurtul2Antonín Kouba3Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceFaculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceMarine and Inland Waters Sciences and Technology Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Ege UniversityFaculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia in České BudějoviceAbstract Background Long-term biomonitoring of macroinvertebrates is a popular and valuable approach for assessing the status of freshwater ecosystems, identifying the impact of stressors, and evaluating ecosystem health. Although macroinvertebrate-based biomonitoring can be effective in detecting changes in distribution patterns and community trends over time, crayfish often remain undetected or unreported by biomonitoring efforts despite their importance in maintaining the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Results By analyzing a comprehensive database of long-term macroinvertebrate time series, we found that most sampling methods and assessment schemes can detect both native and non-native crayfish in running waters if sites are continuously sampled. However, native crayfish were detected to a lesser extent and by fewer methods. Kick-net sampling and assessment techniques prevailed as the most efficient methods for capturing crayfish. However, the substantial number of time series lacking crayfish data calls into question whether these methods are sufficiently comprehensive to encapsulate crayfish populations accurately. The use of other targeted methods such as baited traps or hand catching may provide a more reliable estimate of their presence. Conclusions Given the detrimental impacts of non-native crayfish and the decline in native crayfish populations, we strongly recommend that stakeholders and managers incorporate a combination of these approaches into their monitoring efforts. The use of different taxonomic levels (family vs. genus vs. species level) in estimating biological indices and biomonitoring tools can cause delays in identifying new non-native specie’s occurrences, hindering effective water quality assessment and ecosystem management by governments and stakeholders. Therefore, whenever possible, we call for standardized taxonomic levels for biomonitoring studies and management strategies to accurately address these issues and make recommendations going forward.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00877-xDetection biasLong-term dataMonitoringNon-native speciesSamplingWater framework directive |
| spellingShingle | Phillip J. Haubrock Ismael Soto Irmak Kurtul Antonín Kouba Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? Environmental Sciences Europe Detection bias Long-term data Monitoring Non-native species Sampling Water framework directive |
| title | Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? |
| title_full | Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? |
| title_fullStr | Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? |
| title_short | Are long-term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in European rivers? |
| title_sort | are long term biomonitoring efforts overlooking crayfish in european rivers |
| topic | Detection bias Long-term data Monitoring Non-native species Sampling Water framework directive |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-024-00877-x |
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