Impacts of Contaminants on the Ecological Role of Lotic Biofilms

Abstract

Biofilms play a fundamental ecological role in freshwater ecosystems as they contribute to ecosystem function(s) such as autotrophic primary production, organic matter decomposition and the bottom-up directed energy transfer in the food web. The present focused review summarizes the scientific knowledge on how the roles of autotrophic and heterotrophic biofilms can be modulated as a response to chemical (i.e., pesticide) stress. We discuss how horizontal effects (alterations in the structure of biofilms) can affect the physiological fitness and life history strategy of the next trophic level (vertical effects), namely primary consumers. Since the literature indicates that heterotrophic biofilms are currently at risk as a result of pesticide stress, the protectiveness of environmental risk assessment in Europe as well as North America is questioned. By briefly outlining substantial knowledge gaps, we provide ideas on how the identified uncertainties may be empirically addressed.

Keywords

Trophic interaction; Ecosystem function; Indirect effects; Microbial community composition; Leaf litter breakdown

Published in

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
2015, volume: 95, number: 4, pages: 421-427
Publisher: SPRINGER

SLU Authors

• Feckler, Alexander

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kahlert, Maria

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bundschuh, Mirco

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Koblenz-Landau

Global goals (SDG)

SDG6 Clean water and sanitation

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Biological Topics

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-015-1642-1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/69536