Blue consequences of the green bioeconomy: Clear?cutting intensifies the harmful impacts of land drainage on stream invertebrate biodiversity

Growing bioeconomy is increasing the pressure to clear-cut drained peatland forests. Yet, cumulative effects of drainage and clear-cutting on biodiversity recipient freshwater ecosystems are largely unknown. We studied isolated combined stream macroinvertebrate communities. further explored whether impact these forestry-driven catchment alterations benthic invertebrates related size. quantified invertebrate by comparing communities in forestry-impacted streams expected modelled with a multi-taxon niche model. The forests exceeded sum independent clear-cutting, indicating synergistic interaction between two disturbances small streams. Peatland reduced both large streams, whereas did same only Small headwater were more sensitive forestry impacts than larger downstream sites. found 11 taxa (out 25 modelled) respond disturbances. These mainly different from those previously reported as alterations, context dependence taxonomic responses forestry. In contrast, most functional traits identified responsive agricultural sedimentation also responded pressures. particular, that live temporarily hyporheic habitats, move crawling, disperse actively water, longer 1 year, use eggs resistance form obtain their food scraping became less abundant expected, particularly impacted clear-cutting. Synthesis applications. Drained boreal areas reaching maturity will soon be harvested. Clear-cutting incurs multiple environmental hazards but previous studies have focused terrestrial ecosystems. Our results show may extend across ecosystem boundaries cause significant loss This information supports paradigm shift forest management, whereby continuous-cover based partial harvest provide sustainable approach