By Christine Ottery
Scientists are finding a treasure trove of minute, single-celled organisms in ponds on a wildlife reserve in Dorset. Several new species, which are invisible to the naked eye, have been uncovered at the East Stoke Fen reserve. These creatures form part of what is being termed “cryptic biodiversity”.
Two months in and the project, being carried by researchers from Queen Mary, University of London in conjunction with the Dorset Wildlife Trust, has already found over 30 species of invertebrates which are smaller than half a millimetre and over 100 single-celled ciliates, which are coated in hair-like structures.
The research aims to incorporate these tiny organisms into biodiversity surveys. This will increase our understanding of how ecosystems might react to global warming, so conservation management can be improved.
Micro-organisms adapt
The equally tiny Plagiopyla inhabits waters with no oxygen. Each single-celled life form has a Pac-man-like mouth for munching microbes. Picture Credit: B.J. Finlay.
Cryptic biodiversity helps natural ecosystems to bounce back in response to environmental change,” says lead scientist Dr Genoveva Esteban. This is because the miniscule organisms can adapt function and shape to a changing environment, allowing the ecosystem to continue to work.
Dr Esteban adds: “Local biodiversity conservation will become all-embracing by covering the full range of aquatic organisms that contribute to the proper functioning of an ecosystem – not just those judged as ‘charismatic’.”
Major role in energy cycling
Single-celled organisms play a foundation role in supporting the whole pond because they photosynthesise – converting the energy of the sun to produce their own carbon compounds. They are also vastly abundant and reproduce rapidly. This makes them prey for small protozoa, which are eaten by zooplankton, which are then gobbled up by fish larvae, insects and other creatures higher up in the food web.
Biodiversity-rich pond life
Studying ponds is important because they are a source of rich biodiversity: “they are very heterogeneous physically and chemically, so that tends to provide a wide range of niches for plants and animals” says Jeremy Biggs, director of policy and research at Pond Conservation, a charity campaigning to preserve small bodies of water.
For example, Purbeck Ponds, also in Dorset, is home to the rarely-seen Great Crested Newt, and is a haven for almost all endemic dragonfly species. The ponds have been a UK priority habitat since 2007, and are being studied as part of a two-year project. A new phase of the project, which will bring the Wet Fens under the microscope, was launched at the start of the year.
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Have they, by any chance, found any tardigrades? Then we’ll see who’s “charismatic”…
Wow! Those are damn cool critters. I love this from the Wiki: “commonly known as water bears or moss piglets” But they can be predators too. Fugly things http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
One celled life forms suddenly seem rather less enchanting.
"Single-celled organisms play a foundation role in supporting the whole pond because they photosynthesise – converting the energy of the sun to produce their own carbon compounds."
Would that be like, uh, *algae*? Is there some reason we can call protozoans by name but not algae? Zooplankton but not phytoplankton? Maybe you think only animals count in diversity and preservation-worthy cuteness? I'm distressed by this zoo-centric view.