The importance of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning in streams
Due to human activities, such as transformation, fragmentation and pollution of natural ecosystems, biodiversity is decreasing rapidly. During the past decade, a large number of studies (including several from our group) have shown that such biodiversity loss may have consequences for the functioning of ecosystems. However, several studies have shown that not only the number of species but also the identity of species is important in determining effects of species loss. Further, specific effects of species loss have been shown to depend on the environment, and the underlying mechanisms behind species loss effects are still not well known. In this project, we therefore investigate how vital stream ecosystem processes are influenced by stream invertebrate diversity, and how this influence varies over space and time. We also investigate how important other biotic and abiotic factors are for stream ecosystem functioning by measuring processes, how important these factors are relative to effects of species loss, and how these factors can modify effects of species loss. The studies are primarily performed in both pristine and anthropogenically disturbed streams in northern Sweden. Our aim is to better understand effects of species loss and thereby to aid in the development of successful conservation and restoration strategies of natural and impacted ecosystems.
