Drying niches of aquatic macroinvertebrates identify potential biomonitoring indicators in intermittent and ephemeral streams

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) compose the majority of draining networks on Earth, supporting a unique fraction biodiversity. Despite their high ecological value, IRES are increasingly threatened by global change require appropriate biomonitoring restoration tools. However, indices indicators used in routine programs often confounded drying effects. This occurs because most pollution-sensitive taxa lost over gradients, limiting utility current tools IRES. To address this challenge, there is need to evaluate which should be calculate metrics different portions gradient. Here, using high-resolution data from 33 unpolluted streams, we explored preferences macroinvertebrates identify potential as do this, characterized macroinvertebrate niches identified those with resistance sensitivity preferences. Next, evaluated capacity functional traits predict specialization affinity. Finally, for IRES, how influenced density, relative abundance richness drying-sensitive drying-resistant niches. Our results three groups (partly tolerant, generalist specialist taxa) one group taxa. We also found that had limited represent differences niches, shredding trophic body size showing strongest correlations. In addition, observed were less intensity than some partial (e.g., Lepidostoma), moderate Corduliidae) or tolerance Nemoura) can serve Taken together, our demonstrate characterizing useful strategy developing highlighting limitations taxonomic trait-based approaches.