Threshold Response Identification to Multi-Stressors Using Fish- and Macroinvertebrate-Based Diagnostic Tools in the Large River with Weir-Regulated Flow

Abstract

Biodiversity response-based diagnostic tools are nonlinear approaches that simultaneously consider complex environmental stressors. Such approaches have been used to quantify biological responses to environmental changes. This study identified the major environmental stressors of community turnover and corresponding thresholds by applying diagnostic tools that use multiple biological assemblages in a large river with artificially controlled flow. Four Gradient Forest models were constructed using the relationships between stream biological assemblage and 66 parameters over 12 years. The multi-stressors that caused community turnover and their thresholds differed depending on the biological assemblage, even under the same environmental conditions. Specifically, they showed that operation of weirs has increased the importance of certain species (e.g., non-native species). In addition, specific-taxon response to multi-stressors analysis identified the ecological or management thresholds of endangered species, Korean endemic species, non-native species, and legal pollution indicator species, which must be managed from a biodiversity perspective. These thresholds are significant as the first reference points presented in similar ecological environments and can be used as guidelines for species over the long term. We propose that ‘true’ threshold identification requires efforts to recognize and improve the limitations of GF techniques confirmed in this study. This may ultimately enable a sustainable aquatic ecosystems maintenance and biodiversity preservation.