Ecological indicators for aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem functions, human activities and climate change

Inland aquatic ecosystems, such as streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, play an important role in maintaining global biodiversity ecosystem services. They have been increasingly influenced by environmental change warming, dam construction, habitat fragmentation, eutrophication urbanization. However, our understanding of the impact on functions remains elusive. The aim this special issue is to highlight ecological indicators under change. comprises 18 papers including both review research articles. These cover a wide range topics, testing theory, indicator development, monitoring bioassessment. By covering broad taxonomic from bacteria phytoplankton fish spanning large spatial (much Eurasia) temporal scales (from one season 25-years observations 100-years paleo-reconstruction), these articles provide overview phenomena population community perspectives. Several implications emerged studies: (1) studies long-term succession biotic insights into impacts human activities climatic changes conservation management ecosystems; (2) Anthropogenic strongly affect via modifying habitats reducing heterogeneity; (3) Biotic assemblages are valuable for assessing status freshwater (4) Aquatic ecosystems unique characteristics different other underlying drivers assembly mechanisms structure highly distinct. Together, selection reinforces importance monitoring, applications theory helping us understand response functioning