Multiple stressors simplify freshwater food webs, impacting ecosystems

A recent study published in Global Change Biology shows how multiple stressors like warming, nutrient pollution, and insecticides affect freshwater food webs. Researchers found that these stressors can simplify food web structures and shift energy flows in aquatic ecosystems. The study involved a large-scale experiment simulating subtropical lake conditions. It revealed that warming reduced fish and shrimp populations, while nutrient loading and insecticides promoted harmful phytoplankton blooms. The interactions between these stressors varied, with some effects amplifying and others dampening. As stressors increased, food webs became simpler, leading to fewer connections and a shift in energy flow. This raises concerns about ecosystem stability and biodiversity. The findings emphasize the need for integrated strategies in environmental management to address these combined stressors.