Past flow intermittence duration influences microbial and invertebrate community structure and ecological processes after flow resumption
Abstract
Intermittent streams represent over half of the global river network and are becoming increasingly prevalent due to climate change and water abstraction. Despite their importance, knowledge of their functioning remains limited, especially in temperate regions. Here, we assessed the effects of past flow intermittence duration on functional processes during the flowing period in two temperate streams of northeastern France, using functional indicators (i.e., organic matter decomposition and primary production) and monitoring aquatic fungal and invertebrate communities. Indicators were deployed at 12 stations distributed along an intermittence gradient in two contrasting watersheds. We tested whether (1) past drying duration influences functional processes during the flowing phase, (2) drying effects differ between the two streams, and (3) functional indicators are relevant to intermittent stream systems and discriminant enough for assessing drying duration stress. Our results revealed contrasting functional responses between the two systems despite comparable flow intermittence duration. In Orge stream, organic matter decomposition, fungal activity and macroinvertebrate diversity varied along the flow intermittence gradient, exhibiting higher levels for intermediate flow intermittence, whereas the Ormançon stream maintained high and invariable ecological processes intensity regardless of variations in flow intermittence. Effects of drying on macroinvertebrates functional diversity were observed in the Orge, where highly intermittent stations selected traits adapted to flow intermittence. Functional indicators demonstrated their relevance for characterizing the impact of flow intermittence gradients, supplementing conventional taxonomic indicators. Studies covering a larger number of intermittent streams are needed not only to better characterize and understand their functioning, but also to define reference values that will help improve the environmental management of this ecosystem type that is rapidly increasing in proportion.
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BibTeX
@article{morlot2026past,
title = {{Past flow intermittence duration influences microbial and invertebrate community structure and ecological processes after flow resumption}},
author = {Philippine Morlot and Vincent Felten and David Gocel-Chalté and Maxime Savatier and Quentin Tenailleau and Catherine Galy and Jérémy Jabiol and Valérie Goncalves and Orlane Scelsi and Amandine Zahm and Martin Laviale and Michael Danger},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.115517},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05842754v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Past flow intermittence duration influences microbial and invertebrate community structure and ecological processes after flow resumption
AU - Philippine Morlot
AU - Vincent Felten
AU - David Gocel-Chalté
AU - Maxime Savatier
AU - Quentin Tenailleau
AU - Catherine Galy
AU - Jérémy Jabiol
AU - Valérie Goncalves
AU - Orlane Scelsi
AU - Amandine Zahm
AU - Martin Laviale
AU - Michael Danger
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Ecological Indicators
DO - 10.1016/j.ecolind.2026.115517
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05842754v1
AB - Intermittent streams represent over half of the global river network and are becoming increasingly prevalent due to climate change and water abstraction. Despite their importance, knowledge of their functioning remains limited, especially in temperate regions. Here, we assessed the effects of past flow intermittence duration on functional processes during the flowing period in two temperate streams of northeastern France, using functional indicators (i.e., organic matter decomposition and primary production) and monitoring aquatic fungal and invertebrate communities. Indicators were deployed at 12 stations distributed along an intermittence gradient in two contrasting watersheds. We tested whether (1) past drying duration influences functional processes during the flowing phase, (2) drying effects differ between the two streams, and (3) functional indicators are relevant to intermittent stream systems and discriminant enough for assessing drying duration stress. Our results revealed contrasting functional responses between the two systems despite comparable flow intermittence duration. In Orge stream, organic matter decomposition, fungal activity and macroinvertebrate diversity varied along the flow intermittence gradient, exhibiting higher levels for intermediate flow intermittence, whereas the Ormançon stream maintained high and invariable ecological processes intensity regardless of variations in flow intermittence. Effects of drying on macroinvertebrates functional diversity were observed in the Orge, where highly intermittent stations selected traits adapted to flow intermittence. Functional indicators demonstrated their relevance for characterizing the impact of flow intermittence gradients, supplementing conventional taxonomic indicators. Studies covering a larger number of intermittent streams are needed not only to better characterize and understand their functioning, but also to define reference values that will help improve the environmental management of this ecosystem type that is rapidly increasing in proportion.
SN - 1470-160X
SN - 1872-7034
ER -