Download or read book Factors Influencing Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Structure in an Agricultural Headwater Stream System of the Midwestern United States written by Hector R. Santiago and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Although the notion that streams are influenced by the character of their landscape at multiple spatial scales is not new, the relative degree to which local versus regional factors affect ecological function in streams is not fully understood, and can be different between geographically proximate watersheds. Anthropogenic disturbances to the landscape such as agricultural practices can be detrimental to stream ecosystems. This study examined the influences of local habitat and riparian corridor condition compared to regional landscape influences on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in a Midwestern agroecosytem. Twenty-four reaches in the North Fork and Upper Fork sub-basins of the Sugar Creek watershed, Wayne County, Ohio were sampled to better understand how different habitat and landscape factors affect the structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages in these impacted headwater streams. A total of 72,529 macroinvertebrates representing 79 families in 22 orders were collected during Autumn of 2005 and Spring 2006 to compare assemblage structure between watersheds and across seasons. Family richness, evenness, and diversity showed no difference attributable to watershed, while evenness and diversity exhibited seasonal differences. Chironomid abundance seemed to account for the seasonal change. Percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (%EPT) was significantly influenced by watershed and season with the North Fork watershed exhibiting a higher abundance of these pollution tolerant and habitat sensitive taxa than the Upper Fork at all sample sites. A Geographic information system (GIS) was used to delineate sample watersheds and analyze landscape character. Proportion (%) of low Intensity residential, high intensity residential, industrial/commercial, deciduous forest, evergreen forest, mixed forest, row crop, pasture/hay, wooded wetland and herbaceous wetland were calculated per hydrologic unit. The dominant land uses in both study watersheds were crop, pasture, deciduous forest, and low intensity residential. The North Fork exhibited a significantly higher proportion of pasture and deciduous forest land types than the Upper Fork, which was dominated by row crops, then pasture and forest respectively. North Fork had almost twice the amount of deciduous forest as did the Upper Fork. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to assess the macroinvertebrate family-environment relationship and variance partitioning determined the degree of influence of 8 local and 8 regional environmental factors on invertebrate assemblage structure in each study basin. Local habitat factors explained 25.8% of the total variance while regional landscape factors explained 23.6% of the total variance with 2.7% of the variability shared by both. Upper Fork sites were generally scattered along a silt/muck to cobble habitat gradient, while North Fork sites were arranged along a pasture-forest to rowcrop landscape gradient. The higher proportion of pasture and deciduous forest in the North Fork may explain the greater distribution of EPT taxa found in the watershed, while the greater proportion of crops and smaller proportion of forest in the Upper Fork may explain the greater influence of fine substrates in the watershed. Other environmental factors including glacial geology and groundwater influence may have also contributed to these differences by introducing coarser substrates and cooler, stream temperatures.
Download or read book Relationships Among Land Use Geomorphology Local Habitat and Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Agricultural Headwater Stream Systems written by Elizabeth Ellen Risley and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 166 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: In-stream habitat structure and water chemistry have significant influence on the structure and composition of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. Habitat at this local scale can be significantly affected by the geomorphology of a stream or region. Both in-stream habitat and geomorphology are, in turn, influenced by other factors operating at the landscape scale (e.g., land use, connectivity of habitat patches, etc.). It is unclear which of these three scales of habitat has the greatest influence over lotic assemblage structure. Anthropogenic disturbance to a stream ecosystem can occur at all three scales of habitat, and is particularly common in predominantly agricultural systems. The Sugar Creek watershed in northeastern Ohio represents several different types of anthropogenic disturbance, including dairy farming, crop production, urbanization, and industrialization. The South and Middle Forks of the Sugar Creek watershed, dominated by agriculture and a mix of agriculture and industry, respectively, were sampled in early summer 2005 for habitat and macroinvertebrates. Richness, evenness, diversity, familylevel biotic index, percent Diptera Chironomidae, and the number of macroinvertebrates were all similar across the drainages. The percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera was significantly larger in the Middle Fork than in the South Fork. There were no significant differences in habitat or macroinvertebrate assemblages between the two drainages overall. In-stream habitat structure and water chemistry explained 58.8% of the variation between sites among macroinvertebrate taxa. Geomorphology explained 10.4% and land use 9.4% of the variation. Shared variances between different scales of habitat did not explain substantial amounts of variation among macroinvertebrate taxa. These results have, however, identified several sites in the South Fork with good potential for Best Management Practice implementation and several sites in the Middle Fork for preservation.
Download or read book Patterns and Determinants of Macroinvertebrate Diversity in Headwater Stream Networks written by Amber Clarke and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Headwater streams dominate stream channel length in catchments. They are important sources of water, sediment and biota for downstream reaches and critical sites for organic matter and nutrient processing. Aquatic biodiversity in headwater streams has been overlooked in comparison to higher-order rivers, and few studies have considered spatial biodiversity patterns in headwater streams, or streams in general. I reviewed studies of macroinvertebrate diversity in headwater streams and found equivocal evidence to support the view that headwater streams harbour high biodiversity. Headwater streams might still make an important contribution to [gamma] (regional) diversity at the landscape (catchment) scale by virtue of high [beta] (among-assemblage) diversity. I studied eight headwater streams from three forested, upland catchments along the Great Dividing Range, Victoria, Australia to test my hypothesis of high [beta] diversity and to understand the spatial patterns and determinants of macroinvertebrate diversity in headwater stream networks.Diversity partitioning showed that reaches each had high [alpha] (within-assemblage) diversity, while [beta] diversity made only a small contribution to [gamma] diversity at both the reach and catchment scales. [beta] diversity may have been lower than hypothesized due to relatively small distances between sites and high levels of dispersal among reaches and catchments in the study area. Contrary to other studies that have found environmental factors to be important for explaining variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in headwater streams, I found a limited role for environmental factors structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages in the study area.In one year (2008), spatial factors (independent of environmental factors) were the dominant factor structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages. Therefore, metacommunity structure in the study area aligns most closely with the neutral/patch dynamic metacommunity model. This pattern of spatial structuring, coupled with low [beta] diversity, suggests that high neighbourhood dispersal might be the main factor structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages in the study area. Flow permanence had only a seasonal effect on macroinvertebrate diversity and so there is a temporal component to the spatial diversity patterns in this system.The explicit recognition of stream ecosystems as spatially structured networks has increased our understanding of ecological patterns and processes, and provided the impetus for this research. Recent advances in the study of networks, particularly in the fields of physics and network theory, offer an opportunity to considerably extend the current application of the network concept in stream ecology.Determining the relative contributions of [alpha] and [beta] diversity to [gamma] diversity, and the scale dependence of [alpha] and [beta] components, provides vital information for conservation planning because optimal reserve designs will differ depending on the relative contributions of [alpha] and [beta] diversity. My finding of high [alpha] and low [beta] diversity indicates that each stream in the study area can be considered to have low irreplaceability and the capacity to contribute a large portion of species to regional conservation targets.Information on spatial patterns of diversity is urgently required for systematic conservation planning for freshwater reserves if we are to halt the rapid decline in global freshwater biodiversity.
Download or read book Impacts of Urbanization and Flow Permanence on Headwater Stream Macroinvertebrates Hamilton County Ohio written by Hannah R. Lubbers and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Through extensive research, stream ecologists have continuously strengthened their understanding of the importance of headwater streams and watersheds in stream health. Contrarily, United States policy makers have reversed such progress by reducing protection of many headwater streams. These contrasting trends have contributed to recent research in temporary headwater stream systems and the role that these streams have in the greater stream network. Despite numerous studies, researchers have not found consistent differences in macroinvertebrate assemblages between intermittent and perennial streams. Additionally, there is limited knowledge on how anthropogenic factors influence headwater streams that are naturally disturbed by drying. The objective of this study was to determine how urbanization interacts with stream permanence to shape headwater stream macroinvertebrate assemblages and salamander communities in Southwest Ohio. During spring (high flows) and summer (low flows) of 2007, we examined 20 intermittent and perennial reaches in ten streams along a gradient of watershed urbanization (range: 9 - 97% urban land cover). Macroinvertebrate richness ranged from 5-33 genera across all reaches, and the most abundant taxa were, in descending order, Oligochaeta, Lirceus fontinalus (freshwater Isopoda), and Chironomus spp. Urban land cover, temperature, nitrates, and substrate heterogeneity may have been important in structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages based on their strong correlations with the ordination axes. Duration of flow (permanence) did not explain differences in macroinvertebrates across sites based on the ordination. However, flow permanence was positively related to spring Chironomidae abundances (R^2 = 0.11, P
Download or read book Effects of Agricultural Conservation Practices on Fish and Wildlife written by National Agricultural Library (U.S.) and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 380 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The bibliography is a guide to recent scientific literature covering effects of agricultural conservation practices on fish and wildlife. The citations listed here provide information on how conservation programs and practices designed to improve fish and wildlife habitat, as well as those intended for other purposes (e.g., water quality improvement), affect various aquatic and terrestrial fauna"--Abstract.
Download or read book Assemblage Structure Production and Food Web Dynamics of Macroinvertebrates in Tropical Island Headwater Streams written by Keysa G. Rosas-Rodriguez and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author's abstract: Variation in long-term temperature and precipitation patterns will likely influence the decomposition and export of benthic organic matter and influence aquatic macroinvertebrate consumer communities. Tropical systems are relatively understudied; therefore basal information is urgently needed. As part of an ongoing long-term study, we monitored macroinvertebrates in two shrimp-dominated and fishless headwater streams within the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico from 2009-2010. We combined growth rates with yearly biomass data to calculate secondary production and examined gut contents to develop quantitative food webs. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were dominated by a few insect taxa, with similar biotic composition across streams and habitats, but different structure amongst habitats. Biomass and abundance were generally greater in pools, suggesting that pools may provide habitat stability and shelter. Alternatively, shrimp may provide secondary benefits by removing fine sediments given their high density of in pools. Overall, aquatic insects had low biomass; therefore, their production was relatively low as is the case in most tropical areas. However, their turnover rates were not as high as expected. Secondary production appears to rely more on amorphous detritus and allochthonous organic matter rather than algal resources. These data are an important first step towards predicting the long-term effects that expected changes in rainfall and discharge will have in tropical stream communities.
Download or read book Agricultural Effects on Protists Assemblage Structure in Headwater Streams written by Deborah Kay Hersha and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A difference in sampling design was found as a response to taxa richness (p = 0.0012) and abundance of protists (p = 0.0004) while a difference in gear was recorded only in the abundance count (p =
Download or read book Macroinvertebrates in Headwater Streams from Washington s Coastal Mountains written by Stephanie Marie Haggerty and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Structure in a Kilometer Reach of a Stable Groundwater Stream System a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Science Natural Resources and Environment written by Beth L. Sparks-Jackson and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Factors Influencing the Macroinvertebrate Community Structure in the Conodoguinet Creek Cumberland County PA written by Jeffrey S. Erikson and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 206 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Hwet jowt de Fryske Bibleteek syn leden yn 1940 written by and published by . This book was released on 1940 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Composition Along a Longitudinal Multiple land use Gradient in a Midwestern Stream written by John R. Nichols and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Influence of Network Structure Habitat Fragmentation and Faunal Sources on Aquatic Communities in Headwater Streams written by Sean D. Sipple and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 213 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Headwater streams comprise the majority of the stream network, providing important ecological functions to the downstream network. Although we are beginning to understand how network structure may influence fish, our understanding of how it influences benthic macroinvertebrate dispersal and population connectivity is limited. We also know little about how these patterns and processes may be disrupted as a result of human-driven landscape change such as stream barriers to movement and creation of artificial habitats such as stormwater and farm ponds. In this study, I investigated the effect of stream network position, stream size, and local habitat on benthic macroinvertebrates, and determined to what degree road crossings and impoundments may be degrading benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in headwater streams. These mechanisms were explored using Maryland Department of Natural Resources, (MDNR) Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and environmental data from first-order streams in the Piedmont region of Maryland. Using an Information Theoretic Approach (ITA), models were developed based on the hypothesized relationships between benthic macroinvertebrate and fish community structure and several network and anthropogenic impact variables. Based on my results, aquatic community structure was dependent on local habitat conditions and stream network structure. Both assemblages responded negatively to roads, which may suggest an isolation effect. These results also suggest that impoundments are acting as sources for benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, including non-native species.
Download or read book Riparian Areas written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2002-10-10 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that wetlands be protected from degradation because of their important ecological functions including maintenance of high water quality and provision of fish and wildlife habitat. However, this protection generally does not encompass riparian areasâ€"the lands bordering rivers and lakesâ€"even though they often provide the same functions as wetlands. Growing recognition of the similarities in wetland and riparian area functioning and the differences in their legal protection led the NRC in 1999 to undertake a study of riparian areas, which has culminated in Riparian Areas: Functioning and Strategies for Management. The report is intended to heighten awareness of riparian areas commensurate with their ecological and societal values. The primary conclusion is that, because riparian areas perform a disproportionate number of biological and physical functions on a unit area basis, restoration of riparian functions along America's waterbodies should be a national goal.
Download or read book Macroinvertebrate Community Structure and Feeding Dynamics in Three Forested Headwater Streams in Central Maine written by Emily R. Arsenault and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Headwater streams have some of the best quality water in the country (Dissmeyer 2000). Because headwaters eventually flow into other downstream water bodies like rivers and lakes, they are important places to focus research and conservation efforts. All streams in this study had good water quality based on several assessments of macroinvertebrate communities. 1. Judging from metrics of abundance, richness, EPT, and HBI, all study streams had very good water quality. Thirty-nine total families were observed among the three streams. Whittier Stream was the least healthy of the three, most likely as a result of human disturbances such as a road crossing, fishpond, and mill remnants. It is probable these habitat alterations are having an effect on downstream benthic communities. 2. The riparian zone of each stream was forested and stable, but there were some eroding banks at some points along the study reaches. The abundance of sensitive macroinvertebrates (measured using representative Orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) increased with increasing percent canopy cover and decreased with high percentages of sand characterizing the streambed. 3. Macroinvertebrates can be categorized into functional feeding groups based on feeding behavior. Shredders should hypothetically be in high abundance in headwater streams due to high riparian organic matter inputs. However, observed shredders were limited. This may be due to seasonal changes in functional feeding group ratios. In addition, all study streams had a predator/prey ratio that was higher than the ratio expected for a typical stream, which suggests that there might be an abundance of prey biomass in the study stream headwaters. 4. Based on results from stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen, most macroinvertebrates within the study streams seem to be omnivorous. The most complex food web was observed at Stony Brook. Food webs of Beaver Brook and Stony Brook showed similar trophic clustering, a pattern that might be indicative of streams with excellent water quality.
Download or read book Relationships Between Macroinvertebrate Assemblages and Physicochemical Factors in Illinois Streams written by Thomas Heatherly and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Illinois streams are subject to numerous stressors that can negatively impact their biological integrity. This study was to determine the effects of measured physicochemical properties on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Illinois streams, evaluate multimetric and multivariate bioassessment approaches, and make recommendations to water resource managers. Benthic macroinvertebrate and physicochemical data were collected from 55 streams in March 2005. Macroinvertebrates were collecting according to rapid bioassessment protocols. Physicochemical data were collected by grab sample, survey, and from historical records. I identified a gradient that showed streams with high quality habitat usually had relatively low nutrient concentrations. Streams that were placed into groups using a cluster analysis aligned well along this gradient in an ordination. The macroinvertebrate communities reflected nonpoint sources of impact, which were identifiable using a combination of multimetric and multivariate methods.
Download or read book Nutrient Criteria Technical Guidance Manual written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
