Networks in Aquatic Communities Collapse Upon Neonicotinoid-Induced Stress

TY - JOUR

T1 - Networks in Aquatic Communities Collapse Upon Neonicotinoid-Induced Stress

AU - Barmentlo, S. Henrik

AU - Schrama, Maarten

AU - Cieraad, Ellen

AU - de Snoo, Geert R.

AU - Musters, C. J.M.

AU - van Bodegom, Peter M.

AU - Vijver, Martina G.

N1 - Data archiving: no NIOO data

PY - 2025/4

Y1 - 2025/4

N2 - Freshwater ecosystems worldwide are under pressure from neonicotinoid insecticides. While it is recognised that communities of species are responsible for ecosystem functioning, it remains unknown if neonicotinoid-induced community transformations negatively affect ecosystem functioning. Therefore, we employed an experimental approach with 36 naturally established freshwater ecosystems exposed to increasing field-realistic concentrations of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid. Upon exposure, we found severe degradation of ecosystem functioning in the form of loss of organic matter consumption and dramatic shifts in primary productivity. This functional decline coincides with strongly eroded species co-occurrence networks to the point that these are indistinguishable from randomised assemblages of species. Together, these findings show how current environmental concentrations of a neonicotinoid can strongly disrupt freshwater ecosystem functioning via degradation of the invertebrate food web. Since this dramatic ecosystem degradation occurs below nearly all identified ecotoxicological risks, we call here for the reconsideration of the use of these insecticides.

AB - Freshwater ecosystems worldwide are under pressure from neonicotinoid insecticides. While it is recognised that communities of species are responsible for ecosystem functioning, it remains unknown if neonicotinoid-induced community transformations negatively affect ecosystem functioning. Therefore, we employed an experimental approach with 36 naturally established freshwater ecosystems exposed to increasing field-realistic concentrations of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid. Upon exposure, we found severe degradation of ecosystem functioning in the form of loss of organic matter consumption and dramatic shifts in primary productivity. This functional decline coincides with strongly eroded species co-occurrence networks to the point that these are indistinguishable from randomised assemblages of species. Together, these findings show how current environmental concentrations of a neonicotinoid can strongly disrupt freshwater ecosystem functioning via degradation of the invertebrate food web. Since this dramatic ecosystem degradation occurs below nearly all identified ecotoxicological risks, we call here for the reconsideration of the use of these insecticides.

KW - biodiversity

KW - co-occurrence

KW - decomposition

KW - ecosystem functioning

KW - freshwater ecology

KW - insecticide

KW - invertebrates

KW - pollution

KW - primary production

U2 - 10.1111/ele.70121

DO - 10.1111/ele.70121

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105003209358

SN - 1461-023X

VL - 28

JO - Ecology Letters

JF - Ecology Letters

IS - 4

M1 - e70121

ER -