Influence of morphohydraulic habitat structure on invertebrate communities (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera)

Abstract

Fluvial geomorphology proposes the methodology of cognition and assessment of the riverine landscape and points to the possibilities of exploitation of its results in hydrobiological research. Habitat structure of two reaches of the Drietomica brook (Biele Karpaty Mts, Slovakia) was assesed at level of morphological and morphohydraulic units in the sense of the River Morphology Hierarchical Classification (RMHC)). Physical habitats were described by flow hydraulics and substrate properties as directly measured variables (current velocity, depth, substrate size) and related variables (flow type, Froude and Reynolds numbers). According to the shear stress (expressed by Fr and Re), the morphological units were divided into two main groups -with low shear stress -pools, glides, edgewaters, bar nooks and bars; with high shear stress -riffles, runs, rapids and scours; characterized also by different Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) communities. The EPT communities were analyzed in relation to the morphological, hydraulic and substrate characteristics of the stream channel. The main environmental gradient responsible for the variation in EPT fauna was found using Principal Component Analysis and was related to gradient of flow in term of current velocity and other hydraulic attributes covered by Fr and Re numbers. The EPT communities (by means of abundance, feeding types, current, microhabitat and zonation preferences) showed preferences for different morphological units, flow type and current velocity. Depth and substrate grain size showed only weak relation to EPT communities.

Microdistributions of stoneflies of the High Tatra montane streams

“…According to Pastuchová et al [61], Dinocras cephalotes, Taeniopteryx auberti and Protonemura praecox prefered rapids and moss, and Nemoura uncinata was rheolimnophilic. Leuctra hippopus, L. inermis, and Perlodes microcephalus were the most abundant in coarse substrata.…”

Hydroclimatic and hydrochemical controls on Plecoptera diversity and distribution in northern freshwater ecosystems

“…Inevitably, habitat changes resulting from such hydroclimatic change will impact upon aquatic ecosystems in general (e.g., Hrachowitz et al, 2010a) and freshwater invertebrates specifically (Dewson et al, 2007;Pastuchová et al, 2008;Prowse et al, 2009;Tierno de Figueroa et al, 2010). Species distributions in time and space are governed not only by life history strategies but also by genetic variation in niche requirements, where each species often exhibit a specific environmental tolerance to parameters such as temperature and in-stream hydraulic indices (Whittaker, 1972;Power et al, 1988;Brittain, 1990;Holt, 2003).…”

Factores ambientales asociados con la preferencia de hábitat de larvas de tricópteros en cuencas con bosque seco tropical (Tolima, Colombia)

“…Reach abbreviations as in Table 1. dependen de las condiciones inherentes de cada sistema acuático, del régimen de precipitación, uso del suelo y la oferta de sustratos (e.g., Urbanič, Toman & Kruönik, 2005;Urbanič & Toman 2007;Pastuchová, Lehotský & Grešková, 2008).…”

“…Nuestros resultados también revelan el efecto del aumento de la precipitación, con el consecuente aumento de caudal, sobre la abundancia y riqueza de invertebrados bentónicos (e.g., Baptista, Buss, Dorville & Nessimian, 2001, Arias-Díaz et al, 2007, atributos que se relacionan con la disponibilidad de hábitats adecuados para la colonización y establecimiento de esta fauna (Urbanič et al, 2005;Pastuchová et al, 2008). Asimismo, los aspectos de distribución y frecuencia registrados para algunos taxones en los ríos evaluados, pueden estar asociados con el hecho que los tricópteros presentan todos los grupos funcionales alimentarios (Holzenthal et al, 2007), lo que permite detectar diferencias en las densidades de ciertos grupos según el tipo de sustrato dominante (Guevara et al, 2005).…”