Tuesday, May 27, 2008: 9:15 AM-10:30 AM
Salt Palace Convention Center - Room 255 D
Special Session - Tipping Points: Searching for Thresholds in Stream Structure and Function I
Aquatic ecosystems often do not respond to gradual environmental change in a smooth way. Instead, they may show abrupt, discontinuous shifts to alternative states if a functional threshold is attained. Research in lake and marine systems have established that ecological thresholds occur, and there is growing evidence that such “tipping points” may be more common than was previously thought. However, few published studies have investigated thresholds in streams. Nevertheless, the topic has received considerable attention from researchers and is of particular interest to resource managers. It is critical that we identify at what point, and how rapidly, human-induced shifts in ecosystem structure function occur, and whether these changes are reversible. This session aims to present current research and conceptual advances in stream tipping points to broaden our understanding of how stream ecosystems adjust to anthropogenic change.
Organizer:Todd Wellnitz
9:15 AM150Introduction: Falling water and tipping streams
Todd Wellnitz
9:30 AM151Biodiversity loss and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems: The rivet hypothesis revisited
Bradley J. Cardinale
9:45 AM153Context-dependent effects of freshwater mussel communities on stream ecosystem function
Caryn C. Vaughn, Daniel E. Spooner
10:00 AM Discussion
Sponsor:Special Sessions

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See more of The Nabs 56th Annual Meeting (25-28 May, 2008)