Comparing the Effects of Aquatic Stressors on Model Temperate Freshwater Aquatic Communities

Identifying the relative importance of stressors is critical for effectively managing and conserving freshwater aquatic ecosystems. However, variability in natural ecosystems and the potential for multiple stressors make understanding the effects of stressors challenging in the field. To address these challenges, we assessed four common stressors in the northeastern USA including acidification (pH), climate change (water temperature), salinization (Na and Cl), and nutrient addition using laboratory mesocosms. Each stressor was evaluated independently, with ten mesocosms assigned across a gradient of concentrations for each stressor (total N = 40). We then monitored the effects of the stressors on a model community consisting of periphyton, zooplankton, Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibericum), American ribbed fluke snail (Pseudosuccinea columella), and larval American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). Aquatic stressors varied in the strength of their effects on community structure: Nutrient addition was the least influential stressor, with no significant effects. Acidification influenced periphyton biomass, but not higher trophic levels. Water temperature influenced primary productivity and survival of amphibian larvae, but not intermediate trophic levels. Finally, road salt led to decreases in productivity for all trophic levels included in our model systems. Our results support the findings of prior research, although the effects of acidification and nutrient addition were less pronounced in our study. Importantly, we found that road salt had the most far-reaching effects on a model aquatic community. Given that road salt is the most easily managed of the stressors we compared, our results indicate that improving the condition of freshwater aquatic ecosystems in the northeastern USA may be a feasible objective.