Front Cover
GROUNDWATER ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
GROUNDWATER ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Copyright
Contents
List of contributors
Preface
Groundwater ecology and evolution: an introduction
Rocks, water, and life
Research history in groundwater ecology and evolution
Groundwater research in the Anthropocene
Objective of the book
Audience
Structure and content of the book
Acknowledgments
References
1 - Setting the scene: groundwater as ecosystems
1 - Hydrodynamics and geomorphology of groundwater environments
Introduction
The aquifer concept
Drivers of groundwater flow
Aquifer hydrodynamics
Porosity
Permeability and hydraulic conductivity
Geologic types of aquifers
Links to surface hydrology
Aquifer function
Flow and transport in aquifers
Groundwater age
Modeling aquifers
The chemical composition of groundwater
Origin of chemical compounds in surface waters
Water–rock interactions within aquifers
Major water quality types
Reduced environments
Chemical and nutrient fluxes in aquifers
Biogeochemical reactions
Oxygen in groundwater
Nitrogen and emerging contaminants in groundwater
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
2 - Classifying groundwater ecosystems
Introduction
Classification systems
Global scale
Continental scale
Landscape scale
Habitat/local scale
Compact aquifers
Unconsolidated sediment aquifers
Fractured aquifers
Karst aquifers
Ecotonal groundwater habitats
Conclusions
Glossary
Acknowledgments
References
3 - Physical and biogeochemical processes of hyporheic exchange in alluvial rivers
Introduction
The hyporheic zone
Predicting hyporheic exchange
Bedform scale
Reach and landscape scales
The role of hyporheic flow on water quality
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
4 - Ecological and evolutionary jargon in subterranean biology
Introduction
Ecological classifications
Schiødte's classification and two possible explanations
Modern ecological classifications
Critique and alternative classifications
Colonization and speciation
Climatic Relict and Adaptive Shift hypotheses and their historical background
Critique of CRH and ASH
Alternative terminology: swinging the pendulum from geography to processes generating reproductive isolation
Should we retire the CRH and ASH as formal categories?
Morphological modification for subterranean life
Troglomorphy and the nature of selection
Case studies of troglomorphy
Critique and alternative classifications
Overall recommendations
Glossaries
Aim and scope of two glossaries
Eco-Evo Glossary
Retired Speleobiological Glossary
Acknowledgments
References
2 - Drivers and patterns of groundwater biodiversity
5 - Groundwater biodiversity and constraints to biological distribution
Introduction
An overview of groundwater biodiversity
Viruses
Prokaryotes: Archaea and Bacteria
Microeukaryotes
Metazoans
Physical constraints to biological distribution
Size of voids and their interconnectedness
Hydrological connection to the surface environment
Temperature
Chemical constraints to biological distribution
Groundwater chemistry
Oxygen content and organic matter
Species interactions
Species interactions in surface water—groundwater ecotones
Species interactions in groundwater
The effect of the past: paleogeographic events and historical climates
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
6 - Patterns and determinants of richness and composition of the groundwater fauna
Introduction
Patterns of species richness
Defining local and regional species richness
Local species richness patterns
Regional species richness patterns
Europe
North America
South America
Global pattern of species richness
Patterns of species composition
Variation in species composition among localities within a region
Variation in species composition among regions
Toward a multifaceted approach to groundwater biodiversity patterns
Acknowledgments
References
7 - Phylogenies reveal speciation dynamics: case studies from groundwater
Introduction
Single colonization versus multiple colonizations from surface ancestors
Speciation from subterranean ancestors
Speciation from subterranean ancestors: likely mechanisms
Drivers of subterranean diversity: the role of paleoclimatic and paleogeological events
Tethys Ocean, plate tectonics and marine regression-transgression cycles
Climatic oscillations
New karst areas
Synthesis and future prospects
Acknowledgments
References
8 - Dispersal and geographic range size in groundwater
Introduction
Evolution of dispersal
Extrinsic factors
Environmental heterogeneity in space and time
Environmental cues to disperse
The dispersal-ecological specialization trade-off
Interspecific interactions
Intrinsic factors
Body size
Reproductive strategies
Inbreeding
Intraspecific interactions
Range size
Groundwater landscape connectivity modulates dispersal
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
3 - Roles of organisms in groundwater
9 - Microbial diversity and processes in groundwater
Introduction
Ecological processes determining microbial community diversity and composition
Importance of environmental conditions, dispersal, and species interactions
Differences between planktonic and surface-attached microbial communities
Implications of assembly processes for community functioning and knowledge gaps
Microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles
The role of microbial networks in the cycling of DOM, nitrogen, and other elements
Chemolithoautotrophy in groundwater
Toward predictive models of microbial communities and biogeochemical fluxes
Microbial attenuation of groundwater contaminants and bottlenecks
Petroleum hydrocarbons
Chlorinated organic compounds
Toxic metals and metalloids
Emerging organic contaminants and micropollutants
Resistance and resilience of groundwater microbial communities to perturbations
Outlook
Acknowledgments
References
10 - Groundwater food webs
Introduction
Basal energy dynamics in groundwater food webs
Detrital food webs
Transport
Transfer to higher trophic levels
Chemolithoautotrophic food webs
The role of habitat in groundwater food web dynamics
Network structure
Surface-subsurface connectivity
The role of food web processes in groundwater community dynamics
Trophic niche diversification in groundwater ecosystems
Future directions
Unpacking the microbial compartment of groundwater food webs
Clarifying and quantifying food web structure
Natural abundances of stable isotopes and mixing models
Radiocarbon (14C) natural abundance
Artificially enriched tracer compounds
Compound specific methods
Acknowledgments
References
11 - Role of invertebrates in groundwater ecosystem processes and services
Introduction
Trophic actions of invertebrates
Karst systems
Alluvial systems
Ecosystem engineering activities by invertebrates
Karst systems
Alluvial systems
Conceptual model of the role of invertebrates on ecosystem processes and consequences for ecosystem services
Environmental impacts on surface water–groundwater interfaces and consequences for the provision of ecosystem services by i ...
Suggestions for future research directions
Acknowledgments
References
4 - Principles of evolution in groundwater
12 - Voices from the underground: animal models for the study of trait evolution during groundwater colonization an ...
Introduction
Brief historical timeline
Groundwater model systems
Troglomorphic traits
Reductive traits
Constructive traits
Other traits
Timeline of troglomorphic trait evolution
Evolutionary developmental biology of groundwater organisms
Loosing eyes
The many ways to lose eyes during development
Exchanging eyes for other senses during development
Evolutionary genomics of groundwater organisms
Coding mutations
Regulatory changes
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
13 - The olm (Proteus anguinus), a flagship groundwater species
Introduction
The historical rise to fame
Systematics and evolution
Molecular ecology and conservation genetics
Morphology and sensory systems of a groundwater top predator
Reproductive peculiarities
The overlooked part of groundwater ecology: symbioses, pathogens and parasites
Conservation
Conclusive remarks on flagship species in groundwater
Acknowledgments
References
14 - The Asellus aquaticus species complex: an invertebrate model in subterranean evolution
Introduction
Phylogeography and population structure
A widespread surface species with local subterranean populations budding off
Subterranean populations
Phenotypic evolution of subterranean populations
Morphology
Behavior
Physiology
Life history
Raising and breeding in the laboratory
Genetic basis of subterranean-related traits
Evolutionary development (evo-devo)
Comparative transcriptomics
Conclusions and prospect
Acknowledgments
References
15 - Developmental and genetic basis of troglomorphic traits in the teleost fish Astyanax mexicanus
The history of genetic and genomic studies of troglomorphy in Astyanax
Classical genetic studies
Candidate gene studies
QTL mapping
Transcriptomics
Genomics
Developmental basis of troglomorphy in Astyanax
Developmental basis of eye regression
Developmental basis of constructive traits
Developmental constraints for cavefish evolution
Embryonic origins of cavefish evolution
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
16 - Ecological and evolutionary perspectives on groundwater colonization by the amphipod crustacean Gammarus minus
Introduction
Ecological setting and morphological variation
Upstream colonization of subterranean waters by Gammarus minus
Impetus for colonizing cave streams
Size-selective predation, sexual selection and cave colonization
Multiple independent colonization of cave streams
Allozyme variation
COI and ITS sequences
Evolutionary perspectives
Eye development gene expression
Opsins show No loss of functional constraints in cave populations
Changes in gene expression associated with adaptation to the cave habitat
Evidence for positive selection
Photolyase
Melanin pigment loss and innate immunity
Future directions
Acknowledgments
References
17 - Evolutionary genomics and transcriptomics in groundwater animals
Introduction
Evolution of genes and genome architecture
Cavefish genomics and gene decay
Isopods genomics
Genome size evolution
Molecular evolution rate in subterranean habitats
Life history traits
Environmental radiation
Elemental composition of genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes in subterranean habitats
Evolution of gene expression in groundwater
Cavefish transcriptomics
Arthropod transcriptomics
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
5 - Biological traits in groundwater
18 - Dissolving morphological and behavioral traits of groundwater animals into a functional phenotype
Introduction
Habitat template
Morphological-behavioral functional phenotype
Sensory input
Morphology
Behavior and its interaction with morphology
Beyond the darkness
Locomotion
Feeding
Energy-saving mechanisms
Differentiation with respect to type of food
Reproduction
Habitat choice and adaptation to specific habitats
Antipredation mechanisms
Synthesis and perspectives
Acknowledgments
References
19 - Life histories in groundwater organisms
Introduction
A brief overview of life history evolution, life history traits, and life table variables
The current conceptual model of life history evolution in groundwater species
Support for the current conceptual model of life history evolution in groundwater species
Expanding the conceptual model of life history evolution in groundwater species
The environment and life history plasticity
Trade-offs among life history, morphological, and physiological traits
Life history evolution and population demography
Linking life history traits to molecular evolution
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
20 - Physiological tolerance and ecotoxicological constraints of groundwater fauna
Introduction
Physiological tolerance of groundwater invertebrates to changing thermal conditions
Tolerance to cold
Tolerance to heat
Insights and future perspectives for global warming scenarios
Physiological tolerance of groundwater organisms to chemical stress
Pattern of tolerance to chemicals
Pattern of environmental risk
Insights and future perspectives
Physiological tolerance of groundwater organisms to light, food and oxygen variations: indications for ecotoxicological pro ...
Tolerance to light
Tolerance to oxygen depletion
Tolerance to starvation
Insights and future perspectives
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
6 - Biodiversity and ecosystem management in groundwater
21 - Global groundwater in the Anthropocene
Introduction
Groundwater availability and distribution
Global distribution
Interactions
Climate
Sustainable groundwater use and management
Frameworks for sustainable use of groundwater in the Anthropocene
Groundwater and its link to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Planetary boundary of freshwater use
Anthropogenic threats to groundwater
Depletion
Seawater intrusion
Global groundwater quality
Outlook
Glossary
Acknowledgments
References
22 - Assessing groundwater ecosystem health, status, and services
Introduction
Assessing ecosystem health and condition
Current approaches in surface and groundwaters
Indicators of ecosystem health and condition
Organizational indicators for assessing health
Functional indicators for assessing health
Stress indicators for assessing health
Defining the reference condition for groundwater ecosystems
Combining indicators into summary indices
Predicting ecosystem health and condition
Future directions
Acknowledgments
References
23 - Recent concepts and approaches for conserving groundwater biodiversity
Introduction
Past concepts and approaches in groundwater biodiversity conservation
Past concepts of groundwater biodiversity
Past approaches to groundwater conservation
Initial impediments to groundwater conservation
Recent concepts and approaches in groundwater biodiversity conservation
Introduction
Environmental DNA and metabarcoding
Vulnerability mapping
Conserving hotspots of groundwater biodiversity and endemism
Conservation biogeography of subterranean species
Systematic conservation planning approaches
Conclusion and future directions
Acknowledgments
References
24 - Legal frameworks for the conservation and sustainable management of groundwater ecosystems
Introduction
Conservation of groundwater ecosystems and species at risk
Why study, assess, and protect groundwater ecosystems?
Legal frameworks related to groundwater ecosystems
International and national conventions for the protection of groundwater ecosystems
Legislation focused on the protection of endangered species
Groundwater ecosystem protection by water laws
Groundwater laws in Europe
Groundwater laws in the United States
Groundwater laws in Central and South America
Groundwater laws in Australia
Further international and national groundwater laws
Current challenges and the future of groundwater conservation
Acknowledgments
References
The ecological and evolutionary unity and diversity of groundwater ecosystems—conclusions and perspective
Pattern detection and description
Groundwater systems as ecological laboratories
Groundwater systems as evolutionary laboratories
Groundwater ecosystems' supporting services
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
References
Index
A
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