Global negative effects of drought on instream invertebrate communities

Global climate change has led to more frequent and severe droughts, which can negatively affect instream invertebrate communities, but we lack a perspective on the global patterns drivers of such drought effects. Here, using meta-analysis, synthesized 997 paired observations extracted from 94 peer-reviewed publications assess how affects biomass, density, taxonomic richness, diversity (Shannon–Wiener, Simpson, Pielou indices) invertebrates at scale. We found that (i) significantly decreased density richness by an average 4.9 5.0%, respectively, had marginal negative effects Shannon–Wiener index, did not Simpson index or index; (ii) were affected level, indicating robustness our results; (iii) stream water physiochemical characteristics as flow velocity, pH, conductivity, discharge, total nitrogen concentration, chlorophyll-a concentration important moderator variables communities. Overall, results clearly showed driving factors diversity, helps scientists better understand responses communities under ongoing change.