Simulating population recovery of an aquatic isopod: Effects of timing of stress and landscape structure.
In agroecosystems, organisms may regularly be exposed to anthropogenic stressors, e.g. pesticides. Species' sensitivity to stress depends on toxicity, life-history, and landscape structure. We developed an individual-based model of an isopod, Asellus aquaticus, to explore how timing of stress events affects population dynamics in a seasonal environment. Furthermore, we tested the relevance of habitat connectivity and spatial distribution of stress for the recovery of a local and total population. The simulation results indicated that population recovery is mainly driven by reproductive periods. Furthermore, high habitat connectivity led to faster recovery both for local and total populations. However, effects of landscape structure disappeared for homogeneously stressed populations, where local survivors increased recovery rate. Finally, local populations recovered faster, implying that assessing recovery in the field needs careful consideration of spatial scale for sampling. We emphasize the need for a coherent definition of recovery for more relevant ecosystem risk assessment and management.
Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47,6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. nika.galic@wur.nl
Nika
N
Galic
Hans
H
Baveco
Geerten M
GM
Hengeveld
Pernille
P
Thorbek
Eric
E
Bruns
Paul J
PJ
van den Brink
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D017753:Ecosystem; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity; D033321:Isopoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D011158:Population Growth; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
D007306:Insecticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical