OOS 2
Biodiversity of Temperate and Tropical Rivers in a Changing World: Research Frontiers and Future Challenges

Monday, August 10, 2015: 1:30 PM-5:00 PM
314, Baltimore Convention Center
Organizer:
Alan P. Covich
Co-organizer:
Andrea C. Encalada
Moderator:
Alan P. Covich
Will temperate and tropical rivers become more variable in their species assemblages over the next century? How will adaptive traits likely determine future distributions of freshwater species? Are there general considerations that will help to anticipate changes? Explaining how different locations have especially high species diversity has remained a major goal in ecology. Given the increasing concerns over the loss of native species in many freshwater ecosystems and the consequences for changes in ecosystem processes, this symposium will compare how emerging differences can influence distinct species distributions in temperate and tropical rivers. Unlike most marine and terrestrial ecosystems, the biodiversity of rivers does not follow a general latitudinal pattern of increase in species richness tropical ecosystems. Regional differences in the ages, hydrology, geology, and size of drainage basins can explain many of differences that occur among rivers. High climatic variability in many Neotropical and temperate ecosystems will continue to result in prolonged droughts and extreme floods. This high variability in hydrology can drive speciation and influence sustainability of these distinct species assemblages. Recent studies demonstrate that macro- and micro-scale differences in river channel connectivity have resulted in isolation during some periods and increased connectivity among habitats during other periods. Consequently, rates of speciation can vary within a single watershed. New concepts are being generated regarding how complex terrestrial and riverine species interactions are affected by changing land uses and invasive species. These novel ecosystems are characterized by new species interactions that will likely change how native species that co-existed in the last 100 years will shift in their distributions and functional relationships.
1:30 PM
The future for tropical rivers: Scientific discovery in an age of rapid change
Elizabeth P. Anderson, Florida International University; Jennifer C. Veilleux, Florida International University
1:50 PM
Evidence for biotic resistance in highly diverse tropical rivers
Daniel B. Fitzgerald, Texas A&M University; Michael Tobler, Kansas State University; Kirk O. Winemiller, Texas A&M University
2:10 PM
Influence of deforestation on fish diversity and biomass in the Amazon River
Caroline C. Arantes, Texas A&M University; Kirk O. Winemiller, Texas A&M University
2:30 PM
Ten years of TADS: Lessons learned from the long-term Tropical Amphibian Declines in Streams Project
Scott J. Connelly, University of Georgia; Thomas Barnum, University of Georgia; Checo Colón-Gaud, Georgia Southern University; Susan S. Kilham, Drexel University; Karen R. Lips, University of Maryland; Catherine M. Pringle, University of Georgia; Heidi Rantala, Southern Illinois University; Amanda T. Rugenski, Arizona State University; Matt R Whiles, Southern Illinois University
2:50 PM
Litter decomposition and diversity of decomposers along altitudinal gradients in tropical and temperate streams
Andrea C. Encalada, Universidad San Francisco de Quito; Alexander Flecker, Cornell University; LeRoy Poff, Colorado State University; Manuel A. S. Graca, Universidade de Coimbra; Cristina Salgado, Universidade de Coimbra
3:10 PM
3:20 PM
Process rates of aquatic insects across latitude and elevation gradients: Does daily and annual variability lead to greater adaptability in stream insects?
Carla L. Atkinson, Alabama University; Alexander Flecker, Cornell University; Andrea C. Encalada, Universidad San Francisco de Quito
3:40 PM
Decapod communities under the effects of hurricanes, droughts and humans in neotropical streams
Omar Perez-Reyes, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras; Todd A. Crowl, Florida International University; Alan Covich, University of Georgia
4:00 PM
Community organization and ecosystem response to anthropogenic impacts: Are subtropical, coastal rivers different?
Todd A. Crowl, Florida International University; Omar Perez-Reyes, University of Puerto Rico; Henry Briceno, Florida International University; Alan P. Covich, University of Georgia