The Effects of Chemical Stress on Aquatic Species Composition and Community Structure

Abstract

Biological communities are sensitive to their chemical environment, although the degree of sensitivity varies among species and communities. Aquatic ecosystems are particularly responsive to chemical stress, because pollutants tend to be well-distributed throughout zones of active mixing, and because communities tend to be dominated by motile, short-lived species with high reproductive rates. Response to chemical stress often involves rapid changes in species composition of aquatic ecosystems that can translate into changes in various aspects of community structure, such as species richness.