University of British Columbia (UBC), 25th / June/ 2020 - This research replicates the predicted rainfall patterns expected to occur as a result of climate change across 7 different sites ranging central and south America. The model ecosystem that had been used was winged larvae insects that lives under bromelaid plants.
The results obtained from this survey revealed that large day to day variation in extreme rainfall patterns showed an increase in predator species and a decrease in the prey species and the insect larvae making the food web top heavy.
The proffesor of zoology in UBC and co-author of this research, Diane Srivastava had discussed how negative this may be to the aquatic ecosystem but also emphasized how negative this will be to the forrest ecosystem as these model larvae are winged playing a massive role in the terrestrial ecosystem.
The results that had been collected did not support the hypothesis set out initially prior to the survey. It was expected the predator species population would depleat as they are often more vulnerable to changes to the environment.
This study can be applied to streams, rivers, lakes etc. This study should be performed for long periods of time where a cohort life table is formed. It is likely the prey species would eventually begin to rise because predator-prey interactions are commonly cyclical waves. As the prey species lowers, reproductive rates of the predator species will depress and mortality will slightly accelerate as this puts pressure on the predator species due to a lack of food source. I would hypothesize the long term effects of extreme rainfall patterns caused by climate change will cause high fluctuations in the aquatic populations. An unstable aquatic environment will be established which is likely to better support generalist species.
The longevity of these aquatic ecosystems subjected to these rainfall patterns is unknown and only educated guesses may be used to evaluate the long term effects at this point in time due to lack of research. As of now all that has been confirmed is that the rainfall creates a top heavy trophic cascade within the ecosystem.
The longevity of these aquatic ecosystems subjected to these rainfall patterns is unknown and only educated guesses may be used to evaluate the long term effects at this point in time due to lack of research. As of now all that has been confirmed is that the rainfall creates a top heavy trophic cascade within the ecosystem.
Research
University
of British Columbia. "Extreme rainfall events cause top-heavy aquatic
food webs." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 July 2020.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200709085310.htm>.
