2024
Rempe, D; McCormick, EL; Hahm, WJ; Persad, GG; Cummins, C
Resilience of woody ecosystems to precipitation variability Journal Article
In: EarthArXiv, 2024.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, Drought, ERCZO, precipitation, woody plants
@article{Rempe2022,
title = {Resilience of woody ecosystems to precipitation variability},
author = {D Rempe and EL McCormick and WJ Hahm and GG Persad and C Cummins},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.31223/X5XW7D},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-12-31},
urldate = {2024-12-31},
journal = {EarthArXiv},
keywords = {climate change, Drought, ERCZO, precipitation, woody plants},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2021
Muller, M. F.; Roche, K. R.; Dralle, D. N.
Catchment processes can amplify the effect of increasing rainfall variability Journal Article
In: Environmental Research Letters, vol. 16, no. 8, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, ERCZO, rainfall, Stream Flow, water resources
@article{Muller2021,
title = {Catchment processes can amplify the effect of increasing rainfall variability},
author = {M. F. Muller and K. R. Roche and D. N. Dralle},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac153e},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-07-29},
urldate = {2021-07-29},
journal = {Environmental Research Letters},
volume = {16},
number = {8},
abstract = {By filtering the incoming climate signal when producing streamflow, river basins can attenuate—or amplify—projected increases in rainfall variability. A common perception is that river systems dampen rainfall variability by averaging spatial and temporal variations in their watersheds. However, by analyzing 671 watersheds throughout the United States, we find that many catchments actually amplify the coefficient of variation of rainfall, and that these catchments also likely amplify changes in rainfall variability. Based on catchment-scale water balance principles, we relate that faculty to the interplay between two fundamental hydrological processes: water uptake by vegetation and the storage and subsequent release of water as discharge. By increasing plant water uptake, warmer temperatures might exacerbate the amplifying effect of catchments. More variable precipitations associated with a warmer climate are therefore expected to lead to even more variable river flows—a significant potential challenge for river transportation, ecosystem sustainability and water supply reliability.},
keywords = {climate change, ERCZO, rainfall, Stream Flow, water resources},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
By filtering the incoming climate signal when producing streamflow, river basins can attenuate—or amplify—projected increases in rainfall variability. A common perception is that river systems dampen rainfall variability by averaging spatial and temporal variations in their watersheds. However, by analyzing 671 watersheds throughout the United States, we find that many catchments actually amplify the coefficient of variation of rainfall, and that these catchments also likely amplify changes in rainfall variability. Based on catchment-scale water balance principles, we relate that faculty to the interplay between two fundamental hydrological processes: water uptake by vegetation and the storage and subsequent release of water as discharge. By increasing plant water uptake, warmer temperatures might exacerbate the amplifying effect of catchments. More variable precipitations associated with a warmer climate are therefore expected to lead to even more variable river flows—a significant potential challenge for river transportation, ecosystem sustainability and water supply reliability.
2020
Wang, Terrance; Kelson, Suzanne J.; Greer, George; Thompson, Sally E.; Carlson., Stephanie M.
Tributary confluences are dynamic thermal refuges for a juvenile salmonid in a warming river network Journal Article
In: River Research and Applications, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, Eel river, ERCZO, microhabitat, Oncorhynchus mykiss, stream temperatures, thermal refuges, thermal tolerance
@article{Wang2020,
title = {Tributary confluences are dynamic thermal refuges for a juvenile salmonid in a warming river network},
author = {Terrance Wang and Suzanne J. Kelson and George Greer and Sally E. Thompson and Stephanie M. Carlson.},
doi = {10.1002/rra.3634},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-04-28},
journal = {River Research and Applications},
abstract = {As rivers warm, cold‐water fish species may alleviate thermal stress by moving into localized thermal refuges such as cold‐water plumes created by cool tributary inflows. We quantified use of two tributary confluence plumes by juvenile steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss , throughout the summer, including how trout positioned themselves in relation to temperature within confluence plumes. At two confluences, Cedar and Elder creeks, along the South Fork Eel River, California, USA, we monitored temperatures using in situ logger grids throughout summer 2016. Fish were counted within confluences via snorkel surveys five times a day on 5 days at each site. We found diel and seasonal dependence on confluence use by steelhead, especially at the Cedar Creek confluence, where mainstem temperatures exceeded 28°C. At this site, fish moved into the confluence on the warmest days and warmest times of the day. Fish observed within the Cedar Creek confluence plume were most common in locations between 20–22°C, rather than the coldest locations (14.5°C). At Elder Creek, where mainstem temperatures remained below 24°C, there was little relationship between mainstem temperature and steelhead presence in the confluence plume. At both sites, steelhead distribution within plumes was influenced by spatial variation of temperature and mean temperature in surveyed grid cells. Our results show that cool tributaries flowing into warmer mainstem reaches (over 24°C) likely create important thermal refuges for juvenile steelhead. As mainstem rivers warm with climate change, cool‐water tributary inputs may become more important for sustaining cold‐water salmonids near the southern end of their range.},
keywords = {climate change, Eel river, ERCZO, microhabitat, Oncorhynchus mykiss, stream temperatures, thermal refuges, thermal tolerance},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
As rivers warm, cold‐water fish species may alleviate thermal stress by moving into localized thermal refuges such as cold‐water plumes created by cool tributary inflows. We quantified use of two tributary confluence plumes by juvenile steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss , throughout the summer, including how trout positioned themselves in relation to temperature within confluence plumes. At two confluences, Cedar and Elder creeks, along the South Fork Eel River, California, USA, we monitored temperatures using in situ logger grids throughout summer 2016. Fish were counted within confluences via snorkel surveys five times a day on 5 days at each site. We found diel and seasonal dependence on confluence use by steelhead, especially at the Cedar Creek confluence, where mainstem temperatures exceeded 28°C. At this site, fish moved into the confluence on the warmest days and warmest times of the day. Fish observed within the Cedar Creek confluence plume were most common in locations between 20–22°C, rather than the coldest locations (14.5°C). At Elder Creek, where mainstem temperatures remained below 24°C, there was little relationship between mainstem temperature and steelhead presence in the confluence plume. At both sites, steelhead distribution within plumes was influenced by spatial variation of temperature and mean temperature in surveyed grid cells. Our results show that cool tributaries flowing into warmer mainstem reaches (over 24°C) likely create important thermal refuges for juvenile steelhead. As mainstem rivers warm with climate change, cool‐water tributary inputs may become more important for sustaining cold‐water salmonids near the southern end of their range.
2013
Catenazzi, Alessandro; Kupferberg, Sarah J.
The importance of thermal conditions to recruitment success in stream-breeding frog populations distributed across a productivity gradient Journal Article
In: Biological Conservation, vol. 168, pp. 40-48, 2013.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: amphibian declines, Angelo Reserve, California, climate change, Thermoregulation
@article{Catenazzi2013,
title = {The importance of thermal conditions to recruitment success in stream-breeding frog populations distributed across a productivity gradient},
author = {Alessandro Catenazzi and Sarah J. Kupferberg},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Catenazzi_2013_BioConser.pdf},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2013.09.010},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-01},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {168},
pages = {40-48},
abstract = {Predicting the vulnerability of species to environmental change requires integrating observations of individual ecophysiological and behavioral responses with community level constraints. To assess the response of stream-breeding frogs (Rana boylii) to thermal stressors, such as cold water released from the depths of upstream reservoirs or warm water that results from climate change, we combined field manipulations with population censuses and environmental correlations. These frogs migrate between shaded tributaries and open canopy mainstem channels to oviposit where algal food is abundant for tadpoles. Within this context of spatial variation in aquatic primary productivity, we evaluated whether tadpole thermoregulatory behavior is a useful indicator of survival to metamorphosis and adult distribution. In a thermal gradient, tadpoles selected temperatures between 16.5–22.2 °C (mean, 19.60 ± 0.6 °C). We reared tadpoles in streams colder, warmer, or close to thermal preference. Temperature effects were mediated through algal quantity and quality. Mortality increased with increasing deviation from preferred temperatures, but the effects were ameliorated when tadpole diet was supplemented with algae (Cladophora glomerata with epiphytic nitrogen-rich diatoms, Epithemia spp.) harvested from sun-lit channels. Distribution of frogs in free-flowing and dammed reaches within a northern California watershed was in equilibrium with tadpole thermal preference. Populations were dense (⩾125 breeding females/km) where July water temperatures averaged 17.5–19 °C in 2010, a relatively cool summer. Below 16 °C, frogs were sparse with open canopy and absent under closed canopy. Integration of thermoregulatory behavior with ecological context can thus be useful to forecast recruitment when the thermal regimes of rivers are altered by anthropogenic factors.},
keywords = {amphibian declines, Angelo Reserve, California, climate change, Thermoregulation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Predicting the vulnerability of species to environmental change requires integrating observations of individual ecophysiological and behavioral responses with community level constraints. To assess the response of stream-breeding frogs (Rana boylii) to thermal stressors, such as cold water released from the depths of upstream reservoirs or warm water that results from climate change, we combined field manipulations with population censuses and environmental correlations. These frogs migrate between shaded tributaries and open canopy mainstem channels to oviposit where algal food is abundant for tadpoles. Within this context of spatial variation in aquatic primary productivity, we evaluated whether tadpole thermoregulatory behavior is a useful indicator of survival to metamorphosis and adult distribution. In a thermal gradient, tadpoles selected temperatures between 16.5–22.2 °C (mean, 19.60 ± 0.6 °C). We reared tadpoles in streams colder, warmer, or close to thermal preference. Temperature effects were mediated through algal quantity and quality. Mortality increased with increasing deviation from preferred temperatures, but the effects were ameliorated when tadpole diet was supplemented with algae (Cladophora glomerata with epiphytic nitrogen-rich diatoms, Epithemia spp.) harvested from sun-lit channels. Distribution of frogs in free-flowing and dammed reaches within a northern California watershed was in equilibrium with tadpole thermal preference. Populations were dense (⩾125 breeding females/km) where July water temperatures averaged 17.5–19 °C in 2010, a relatively cool summer. Below 16 °C, frogs were sparse with open canopy and absent under closed canopy. Integration of thermoregulatory behavior with ecological context can thus be useful to forecast recruitment when the thermal regimes of rivers are altered by anthropogenic factors.
2009
Cruz-Martínez, Brodie EL Suttle KB
Despite strong seasonal responses, soil microbial consortia are more resilient to long-term changes in rainfall than overlying grassland. Journal Article
In: The ISME Journal, vol. 3, pp. 738–744, 2009.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, cosmogenic isotope, grasslands, microbial communities, rainfall, soil
@article{doi:10.1038/ismej.2009.16,
title = {Despite strong seasonal responses, soil microbial consortia are more resilient to long-term changes in rainfall than overlying grassland.},
author = {Brodie EL Suttle KB Cruz-Martínez},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Cruz_2009_ISME.pdf},
doi = {doi:10.1038/ismej.2009.16},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-03-12},
journal = {The ISME Journal},
volume = {3},
pages = {738–744},
abstract = {Climate change impacts on soil microbial communities could alter the structure of terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles of the Earth. We used 16S rRNA gene microarrays to evaluate changes in the composition of grassland soil microbial communities under rainfall amendments simulating alternative climate change scenarios, and to compare these to responses of overlying plants and invertebrates. Following 5 years of rainfall manipulation, soil bacteria and archaea in plots where natural rain was supplemented differed little from ambient controls, despite profound treatment-related changes in the overlying grassland. During the sixth and seventh year, seasonal differences in bacterial and archaeal assemblages emerged among treatments, but only when watering exacerbated or alleviated periods of particularly aberrant conditions in the ambient climate. In contrast to effects on plants and invertebrates, effects on bacteria and archaea did not compound across seasons or years, indicating that soil microbial communities may be more robust than associated aboveground macroorganisms to certain alterations in climate.},
keywords = {climate change, cosmogenic isotope, grasslands, microbial communities, rainfall, soil},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Climate change impacts on soil microbial communities could alter the structure of terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles of the Earth. We used 16S rRNA gene microarrays to evaluate changes in the composition of grassland soil microbial communities under rainfall amendments simulating alternative climate change scenarios, and to compare these to responses of overlying plants and invertebrates. Following 5 years of rainfall manipulation, soil bacteria and archaea in plots where natural rain was supplemented differed little from ambient controls, despite profound treatment-related changes in the overlying grassland. During the sixth and seventh year, seasonal differences in bacterial and archaeal assemblages emerged among treatments, but only when watering exacerbated or alleviated periods of particularly aberrant conditions in the ambient climate. In contrast to effects on plants and invertebrates, effects on bacteria and archaea did not compound across seasons or years, indicating that soil microbial communities may be more robust than associated aboveground macroorganisms to certain alterations in climate.
2007
Suttle, K. B.; Thomsen, Meredith A.; Power, Mary E.
Species Interactions Reverse Grassland Responses to Changing Climate Journal Article
In: Science, vol. 315, no. 5812, pp. 640-642, 2007.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, species interactions
@article{Suttle2007,
title = {Species Interactions Reverse Grassland Responses to Changing Climate},
author = {K. B. Suttle and Meredith A. Thomsen and Mary E. Power},
url = {https://angelo.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/59/Suttle_2007_Science.pdf},
doi = {10.1126/science.1136401},
year = {2007},
date = {2007-02-07},
journal = {Science},
volume = {315},
number = {5812},
pages = {640-642},
abstract = {Predictions of ecological response to climate change are based largely on direct climatic effects on species. We show that, in a California grassland, species interactions strongly influence responses to changing climate, overturning direct climatic effects within 5 years. We manipulated the seasonality and intensity of rainfall over large, replicate plots in accordance with projections of leading climate models and examined responses across several trophic levels. Changes in seasonal water availability had pronounced effects on individual species, but as precipitation regimes were sustained across years, feedbacks and species interactions overrode autecological responses to water and reversed community trajectories. Conditions that sharply increased production and diversity through 2 years caused simplification of the food web and deep reductions in consumer abundance after 5 years. Changes in these natural grassland communities suggest a prominent role for species interactions in ecosystem response to climate change.},
keywords = {climate change, species interactions},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Predictions of ecological response to climate change are based largely on direct climatic effects on species. We show that, in a California grassland, species interactions strongly influence responses to changing climate, overturning direct climatic effects within 5 years. We manipulated the seasonality and intensity of rainfall over large, replicate plots in accordance with projections of leading climate models and examined responses across several trophic levels. Changes in seasonal water availability had pronounced effects on individual species, but as precipitation regimes were sustained across years, feedbacks and species interactions overrode autecological responses to water and reversed community trajectories. Conditions that sharply increased production and diversity through 2 years caused simplification of the food web and deep reductions in consumer abundance after 5 years. Changes in these natural grassland communities suggest a prominent role for species interactions in ecosystem response to climate change.