新薛河上游溪流典型生境底栖动物群落结构比较研究

群落时空格局研究是后续深入开展相关研究的基础。基于2012年山东省新薛河底栖动物调查数据,就新薛河上游典型溪流生境底栖动物群落结构进行了比较研究。结果表明:共采集底栖动物108种,隶属10纲,74属;短脉纹石蛾(Cheumatopsyche sp.)、长钝直突摇蚊(Orthocaldius vaillanti)、拟长跗摇蚊属一种(Paratanytarsus sp.E)、Neozarelia sp.为研究区域优势类群,相对丰度分别为25.1%、9.8%、9.0%、8.6%。各河段优势物种组成、密度、生物量、生物多样性均存在显著差异。非度量多维标度排序和多响应置换过程分析从群落层面验证了不同河段群落结构的差异;且发现,流量越小,群落分化越明显。通过指示物种和双向聚类分析,进一步明确了物种组成对群落结构的影响。总之,不同生境底栖动物物种组成和群落结构存在较大差异,栖境多样性对生物多样性的维持和保护具有重要意义。     

长白山源头溪流底栖动物生活型及群落结构的时空特征

底栖动物是山地溪流生态系统的关键生物类群, 其群落组成结构与时空分布在很大程度上依赖于组成物种的生活型以及生活型构成。为认识我国高纬度地区山区底栖动物群落结构与环境的关系, 以长白山龙湾自然保护区的典型源头溪流为对象, 在春、夏、秋三个季节对五个断面进行定量样品采集, 结合溪流生境信息初步分析了源头溪流中不同生活型底栖动物的分布以及时空动态。共采集到底栖动物4525头, 隶属于5纲11目35科82属, 其中水生昆虫以78属占有绝对优势, 优势种类包括Oulimnius属一种、直突摇蚊亚科一种(Orthocladiinae sp.)、Podmosta属一种、纹石蛾一种(Hydropsyche sp)、弓石蛾一种(Arctopsyche sp.)和钩虾属一种(Gammarus sp.); 底栖动物的生活型相对丰度表现为固着型最高, 其次为蔓生型和穴居型, 游泳型最少, 分别为50%、25%、17%和8%; 人为活动显著降低了底栖动物的密度、多样性和物种丰富度, 其中固着型和蔓生型底栖动物反应最为敏感。因此, 在源头溪流, 人为干扰对底栖动物群落结构影响显著, 生活型组成较物种组成对干扰的响应更为敏感。      

流溪河大型底栖动物群落的时空分布及其影响因子

流溪河位于我国热带与亚热带过渡区,其底栖动物种类丰富,群落的物种组成结构具有明显的区域性,掌握该地区的物种组成特征及与环境要素的关系是建立生态监测与评估方法的基础。于2018年的枯水期（3月、12月）和丰水期（6月、9月）,自流溪河上游至下游共计20个段面对底栖动物进行了定量采样,同时测定了相应的环境因子,采用多元统计方法对流溪河水环境与群落结构及其相关关系进行了分析。共检出底栖动物76个分类单元,隶属于7纲20目50科,其中水生昆虫相对丰度最高,占69.39%。在4个优势分类单元中,摇蚊族（Chironomini）相对丰度为20.19%,河蚬（Corbicula fluminea）、短沟蜷属的一种（Semisulcospira sp.1）、双突细蜉（Caenis bicornis）,相对丰度在7%-9%之间。底栖动物丰度和种类多样性均与浊度呈显著负相关;枯水期底栖动物丰度与总磷呈显著负相关,丰水期则呈显著正相关。在丰水期,不同河流级别上底栖动物群落具有明显的差异,表现较强的分布格局,而在枯水期这种分布格局不明显。典范对应分析（CCA）表明,在丰水期,影响或解释流溪河底栖动物群落变化的主要因子为pH、溶解氧、水温、电导率和硅酸盐,而在枯水期则为pH和硝态氮。受电站与采沙的影响,部分河段发生非自然断流和底质的显著改变,导致底质与水深等数据的异常变化,反映了人类活动对该河流生境与环境的重要影响。     

香溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构季节动态研究

研究香溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构和季节动态特征情况,发现高翔蜉、萝卜螺、河蚬、湖沼股蛤、四节蜉为香溪河水系优势分类单元,各季节底栖动物优势种的组成存在显著差异。冬季的生物密度、生物量、生物多样性指数显著高于其他季节,说明冬季的河流生境最适宜大型底栖无脊椎动物生存。香溪河刮食者丰度最高,撕食者最低,表明香溪河着生藻类丰富;固着型底栖动物在香溪河底栖类群中丰度最高,说明香溪河河流流速较快,生境更适宜固着型动物栖居。不同季节环境因子对大型底栖动物群落结构有显著影响。     

淮河流域板桥水库大型底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

为了解板桥水库大型底栖动物群落结构动态特征并对其水质进行生物学评价,在该水库设置15个采样点,于2014年1—11月按季节进行调查.结果表明: 在板桥水库采集到大型底栖动物17种,隶属于3门4纲5科,其中摇蚊幼虫8种、寡毛类4种、软体动物5种.铜锈环棱螺、河蚬、苏氏尾鳃蚓、粗腹摇蚊和雕翅摇蚊为现阶段板桥水库的重要物种.大型底栖动物密度、生物量和多样性指数存在空间和时间差异性.ANOSIM分析显示,大型底栖动物群落结构在不同区域和季节间均存在显著差异,其主要贡献物种为雕翅摇蚊、粗腹摇蚊和苏氏尾鳃蚓.经丰度 生物量比较曲线(ABC曲线)分析,板桥水库大型底栖动物群落稳定,结合物种多样性指数、生物学污染指数(BPI)和Hilsenhoff生物指数(BI)评价结果,板桥水库的水质处于轻度污染水平.     

泉州湾蟳埔潮间带大型底栖动物群落的时空分布

为了比较泉州湾蟳埔潮间带沙滩、互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩3种生境(3个潮层)的大型底栖动物群落,2011年4月至2012年1月对3种生境的大型底栖动物进行了季度定量取样。在3种生境共获得85种大型底栖动物,其中环节动物39种,软体动物20种,节肢动物21种,刺胞动物、扁形动物、纽虫动物、星虫动物和脊索动物各1种。多维标度排序(MDS)分析表明,春季和冬季泉州湾蟳埔潮间带3种生境的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低;夏季和秋季互花米草滩与牡蛎石泥滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较高,而与沙滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低。沙滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较明显,其次是牡蛎石泥滩,而互花米草滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较不明显。大型底栖动物栖息密度和生物量随着潮层降低而增加。单变量双因素方差分析(Two-way ANOVA)表明,不同生境之间的大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰度指数有显著差异,但生物量无显著差异,这是因为沙滩的物种数较少,栖息密度较低,但优势种弧边招潮蟹(Uca arcuata)个体较大,互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩的优势种为加州中蚓虫(Mediomastus californiensis),个体相对弧边招潮蟹小。不同季节之间大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、生物量和丰度指数有显著差异,但多样性指数和均匀度指数元显著差异,这是因为沙滩物种数少,但个体分布比较均匀,而互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩物种数较多,个体分布较不均匀。以上结果表明,潮汐、沉积物粒径和生境是影响潮间带大型底栖动物群落的主要因素。潮汐导致潮间带的空间异质性,空间异质性导致大型底栖动物群落的差异。     

高邮湖大型底栖动物群落结构及影响因素

跨流域调水工程沿线调蓄湖泊生态状况直接决定工程能否顺利实施。基于2018年4和9月高邮湖底栖动物调查数据,对底栖动物区系组成、群落结构及主要影响因子进行了研究。调查期间共鉴定出底栖动物42种,隶属3门7纲22科;软铗小摇蚊（Microchironomus tener）、霍甫水丝蚓（Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri）、齿吻沙蚕（Nephtys sp.）、苏氏尾鳃蚓（Branchiura sowerbyi）、厚唇嫩丝蚓（Teneridrilus mastix）为调查期间优势物种,相对丰度分别为24.0%、17.7%、8.1%、7.2%和6.5%;两次调查期间底栖动物优势物种组成存在较大差异。密度、物种丰度、香浓指数在4月份显著高于9月份;非度量多维标度排序（NMDS）和多响应置换过程（MRPP）从群落层面证实了两次调查期间底栖动物群落结构的差异性。指示物种分析表明,软铗小摇蚊、霍甫水丝蚓和有栉管水蚓（Aulodrilus pectinatus）是造成两次调查底栖动物群落差异的关键物种。基于距离的冗余分析（dbRDA）表明,高邮湖底栖动物群落在4月份主要受硅酸盐和总磷影响;9月份主要受水深和叶绿素a影响。     

新疆巩乃斯河枯、丰水期大型底栖动物群落结构与环境因子的关系

为探究新疆巩乃斯河的生态状况, 团队先后在2018年10月(枯水期)和2019年6月(丰水期)对大型底栖动物群落和环境因子进行了调查, 分析大型底栖动物群落结构、功能摄食类群、生活类型组成及其与环境因子的关系。研究河段共采集到大型底栖动物40种, 隶属3门4纲8目27科, 主要以节肢动物门为主, 其中直突摇蚊亚科(Orthocladiinae spp.)、长跗摇蚊族(Tanytansini sp.)、四节蜉属(Baeits sp.)、亚美蜉属(Ameletus sp.)和Cheilotrichia sp.是优势类群。经过分析发现枯、丰水期巩乃斯河大型底栖动物群落结构差异显著, T检验结果显示: 枯水期大型底栖动物群落的生物密度和物种丰富度显著低于丰水期(P<0.05), 两个时期大型底栖动物的生物多样性指数和均匀度无显著性差异(P>0.05)。巩乃斯河大型底栖动物功能摄食类群完整, 枯、丰水期均以收集者为主; 在生活类型方面, 枯水期时固着型动物最相对丰度最大为43.20%, 丰水期时蔓生型动物相对丰度最大为57.53%。经过对大型底栖动物和环境因子之间进行典范对应分析发现, 水温是影响巩乃斯河大型底栖动物群落变化的关键环境因子。研究成果可为巩乃斯河后续相关研究以及伊犁河水系生态保护提供基础数据支持及参考。     

渭河流域大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

于2011年10月对渭河流域45个采样点的大型底栖动物进行调查采样.共采集到大型底栖动物116属(种),其中水生昆虫91(属)种,占78.4％;软体动物12种,占10.3％;环节动物9种,占7.8％;甲壳动物4种,占3.4％.利用大型底栖动物的物种组成以及物种相对丰度数据,应用双向指示种分析和无偏对应分析将45个样点分为3组.第1组样点的指示物种为锯形蜉属1种(Serratella sp.)、纹石蛾属1种(Hydropsyche sp.)和朝大蚊属1种(Antochasp.);第2组样点指示物种为虻属1种(Tabanus sp.)、Alotanypus venustus、Pelecorhynchidae 1 种、Liodessus sp.和霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffineistteri);第3组指示物种为黑翅蜉(Ephemera nigroptera)和半球多脉扁螺(Polypylis hemisphaerula).典范对应分析表明,卵石+砾石型底质、流速、电导率、水深和总氮显著影响了渭河流域底栖动物群落的空间分布.     

底栖动物功能摄食类群对酸性矿山废水的响应

为研究底栖动物功能摄食类群对酸性矿山废水的响应机理及高岚河硫铁矿对香溪河生态环境的影响状况,2006年9月、11月及2007年1月、3月、5月、7月对高岚河3个河段12个样点(受损河段G1—G3、恢复河段G4—G8、对照河段D1—D4)底栖动物进行了调研,同时测定了各样点水体金属含量(Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn、Fe、Al、Ca和Mg)、pH值、电导、水温、总溶解性固体、盐度、溶氧、流速、水深、水面宽度等理化指标。对3个河段底栖动物群落功能摄食类群群落结构及理化指标进行了对比分析,结果表明,受酸性矿山废水的影响,受损河段金属含量及电导、总固体悬浮物明显高于对照河段和恢复河段,受损河段pH值显著低于其他河段;而对照河段和恢复河段各项理化指标不存在明显差异。共采集底栖动物213种,隶属7纲,59科,四节蜉(Baetis sp.)、侧枝纹石蛾(Ceratopsyche sp.)、锯形蜉(Serratella sp.)和扁蜉(Heptagenia sp.)为研究区域优势类群;功能摄食类群相对丰度收集者最大,刮食者和滤食者次之,捕食者和撕食者最小,分别为48.8%、20.6%、17.0%、9.0%、4.7%。受损河段底栖动物各功能摄食类群密度和生物多样性指数明显低于对照河段和恢复河段,且组成相对单一;刮食者对酸性矿山废水反应最为敏感。非度量多维标度排序和多响应置换过程分析表明,受损河段底栖动物各功能摄食类群群落结构同对照河段和恢复河段存在较大差异,而对照河段和恢复河段群落结构相似性较高。典型对应分析发现,矿山酸性废水的排放是影响底栖动物功能摄食类群分布的主要因素。     

Colonizing macroinvertebrates in the Upper Mississippi River with a comparison of basket and multiplate samplers *

SUMMARY. Colonizing aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected from two kinds of artificial substrate placed on wing dams in Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River in September 1978. Thirty-one taxa were collected from basket samplers containing cement spheres and twenty-one taxa from multiplate samplers constructed from tempered hardboard. Hydro-psychidae (Trichoptera), especially Cheumatopsyche sp., Potamyla flava and Hydropsyche sp., were the dominant macroinvertebrates which colonized both samplers. Basket samplers had a significantly greater macroinvertebrate density, biomass and number of taxa compared with multiplate samplers. Precision of the arithmetic mean for density, biomass and number of taxa was 19.9, 18.3 and 8.1% for basket samplers and 18.8, 18.7 and 8.5% for multiplate samplers. The number of sampling units required for a precision of 20% for macroinvertebrate density, biomass and number of taxa was 13, 11 and 2 for basket samplers and 11, 11 and 2 for multiplate samplers. Basket samplers with 7.5-cm cement spheres are recommended for use instead of multiplate samplers.     

渭河丰、枯水期底栖动物群落特征及综合健康评价

以渭河为研究范例,分别于丰水期(2011年10月)和枯水期(2012年4月)对渭河全流域范围内45个样点的底栖动物群落进行跟踪调查,并在此基础上应用丰、枯水期底栖动物生物完整性评价指数(B-IBI)对渭河流域水生态系统进行综合健康评价。结果表明,渭河流域底栖动物群落结构具有明显的空间异质性,枯水期底栖动物群落结构单一,物种数量、生物量和香农多样性明显少于丰水期,但单位密度差异不显著。综合健康评价结果表明,渭河上游、洛河中上游地区的健康状况较好,而渭河中下游、泾河全流域及洛河下游地区的健康状况较差。相关分析显示,渭河全流域范围内丰水期和枯水期底栖动物群落的B-IBI得分呈现明显的正相关性,表明在不同水文过程时期,渭河全流域大尺度范围内底栖动物群落的生物完整性特征较为一致。在河流丰、枯水期,底栖动物群落结构的变化趋势并对比分析了渭河流域不同区域水生态系统健康水平差异的原因。     

Beavers alter stream macroinvertebrate communities in north-eastern Utah

1. Understanding changes in macroinvertebrate communities is important because they play a large role in stream ecosystem functioning, and they are an important food resource for fish. Beaver-induced changes to stream morphology could alter macroinvertebrate communities, which in turn could affect food webs and ecosystem function. However, studies investigating the effects of North American beaver activities on macroinvertebrates are rare in the inter-mountain west, an area with high potential for beaver-assisted restoration.
2. The aim of this study was to quantify differences in the macroinvertebrate community between unaltered segments of streams and within beaver ponds in north-eastern Utah, U.S.A. We assessed macroinvertebrate species richness, biomass, density, functional feeding group composition, mobility group composition, and macroinvertebrate habitat characteristics to test the hypothesis that macroinvertebrate communities will differ among habitat types (undammed stream segments and beaver ponds) in beaver-occupied streams.
3. Beaver pond communities significantly differed from lotic reach communities in many ways. Beaver ponds were less diverse with 25% fewer species. Although there was variability among streams, in general, beaver ponds had 75% fewer individuals and 90% lower total macroinvertebrate biomass compared to lotic reaches.
4. Regarding functional feeding groups, beaver ponds contained more engulfers, while lotic reaches contained more scrapers, filterers, and gatherers. For mobility groups, beaver ponds had more sprawlers, while lotic reaches had more clingers. Swimmers were also more prevalent in lotic reaches, although this is probably due to the abundance of Baetis within lotic reaches. More beaver pond taxa were classified as lentic-dwelling insects, while more lotic reach taxa were categorised as preferring lotic habitats.
5. The creation of ponds by beavers fundamentally altered the macroinvertebrate community in north-eastern Utah streams. Such changes to stream macroinvertebrate communities suggest that recolonisation of beavers across North America may be altering stream functioning and food webs. Our study highlights the need to further investigate the effects of beaver recolonisation on stream communities.

     

Interim Responses of Benthic and Snag‐Dwelling Macroinvertebrates to Reestablished Flow and Habitat Structure in the Kissimmee River,Florida, U.S.A.

A critical component in the effort to restore the Kissimmee River ecosystem is the reestablishment of an aquatic invertebrate community typical of free‐flowing rivers of the southeastern United States. This article evaluates early responses of benthic and snag‐dwelling macroinvertebrates to restoration of flow and habitat structure following Phase I construction (interim period) of the Kissimmee River Restoration Project. Replicate benthic and snag samples were collected from remnant river channels in Pool A (Control site), and Pool C, the site of the first phase of restoration (Impact site). Samples were collected quarterly for 2 years prior to construction (baseline) and monthly or quarterly for 3 years following Phase I construction and restoration of flow. Baseline benthic data indicate a community dominated by taxa tolerant of organic pollution and low levels of dissolved oxygen, including the dipterans Chaoborus americanus (Chaoboridae) and the Chironomus/Goeldichironomus group (Chironomidae). Baseline snag data indicate a community dominated by gathering‐collectors, shredders, and scrapers. Passive filtering‐collector invertebrates were rare. Following restoration of flow, benthic invertebrate communities are numerically dominated by lotic taxa, including bivalves and sand‐dwelling chironomids (e.g. Polypedilum spp., Cryptochironomus spp., and Tanytarsini). Snags within the Phase I area support an invertebrate community dominated by passive filtering‐collectors including Rheotanytarsus spp. (Chironomidae) and Cheumatopsyche spp. (Hydropsychidae). Results indicate that restoration of flow has resulted in ecologically significant changes to the river habitat template not observed in Pool A. Observed shifts in benthic and snag macroinvertebrate community structure support previously developed hypotheses for macroinvertebrate responses to hydrologic restoration.     

Benthic macroinvertebrates associated with four species of macrophytes

Benthic macroinvertebrates associated with four species of macrophytes (Nymphoides peltata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Polygonum amphibium and Carex sp.) were investigated during two growing seasons (2001 and 2002) in the slow-flowing Čonakut Channel in the Kopački rit Nature Park in Croatia. A total of 31 macroinvertebrate taxa were found. C. demersum, a submerged plant with dissected leaves, supported the highest macroinvertebrate abundance, almost seven times more than N. peltata, a floating plant with undissected leaves, which harboured the lowest abundance during the research period. Chironomidae larvae (50–83%) and Oligochaeta (14–46%) were the most abundant groups recorded on all macrophyte species. Water-level fluctuation, because of its influence on the appearance and growth of aquatic vegetation, and the trophic state of water within the macrophyte stands seemed to be the main factors which affected the taxonomic composition and abundance of macroinvertebrates.     

Colonization,variability, and the use of substratum-filled trays for biomonitoring benthic communities

Sampling variability and colonization rate of introduced substrates (plastic trays filled with pebble and cobble) in two southwestern Virginia streams are described. Substrates were rapidly colonized by aquatic macroinvertebrates, but colonization rates differed between years, possibly due to annual variability in macroinvertebrate abundance. To examine the applicability of using these substrates for biomonitoring benthic communities, trays were placed at several locations in a river receiving power plant discharges. Only six samples were necessary to detect a 15%reduction in macroinvertebrate density and a 12% reduction in number of taxa at effluent sites. Benthic communities established on rock-filled trays and multiplate samplers collected from the same stations during the same period were compared. Although multiplate samplers were more variable than rock trays and were selective for different taxa, both substrate types showed significant differences in community parameters among locations. Rock trays at all sites were dominated by Cheumatopsyche sp., whereas chironomids were more abundant on multiplate samplers. The relative abundance of mayflies was reduced at the effluent site on both substrate types.     

The lentic and lotic characteristics of habitats determine the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean rivers

1. The importance of flow‐related factors to benthic organisms, as well as the role of habitat conditions in shaping aquatic communities during low‐flow periods, have been recognised. Despite this, the preferences of macroinvertebrates to the ratio of lentic to lotic habitats at the reach scale have not been accurately quantified in most instances.
2. Aquatic invertebrates and habitat features in a range of temporary rivers in Sardinia were investigated. The investigation focused on the flow‐related characteristics that contribute to defining the lentic–lotic condition of the river reaches. The relation of habitat features to benthic taxa distributions was assessed using multidimensional scaling. The main aim of the paper was to quantify the responses of taxa to the different lentic and lotic habitat conditions by applying hierarchical logistic regressions. Finally, taxon optima were aligned along the lentic–lotic gradient and the responses of different taxonomic groups compared.
3. Unbroken waves and imperceptible flow were correlated with benthic taxa variability, suggesting local hydraulics and turbulence have a major role in regulating community composition. The overall lentic–lotic character of the river reaches was also clearly related to the benthic taxa distribution. More than 80% of taxa were significantly related to the lentic–lotic gradient, and an asymmetrical response curve was the predominant model.
4. Benthic groups showed taxon optima clustered in different ranges of the lentic–lotic gradient. Odonata, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Mollusca preferred clearly lentic conditions. Diptera mainly ranged on the lotic side of the gradient, while Trichoptera were relatively uniformly distributed across the gradient. Ephemeroptera taxa clustered in intermediate lentic–lotic conditions, with two species preferring extremely lentic habitats. In general, optima converged at intermediate and extremely lentic conditions, presumably due, respectively, to the coexistence of different lentic and lotic features and to the highly diverse environmental characteristics under extremely lentic situations.
5. These results support the conclusion that dissimilar ecological factors act on benthic taxa along the lentic–lotic range and species favouring different lentic–lotic conditions are subjected to pressures of different nature. This should not be ignored when defining species preferences and studying community structure or relationships between species in Mediterranean rivers, which cyclically vary their habitat composition. In addition, the uneven distribution of optima of different groups along the lentic–lotic gradient might affect macroinvertebrate metrics when assessing ecological status or establishing reference conditions under variable climatic conditions.

     

Effects of dredge material placement on benthic macroinvertebrates of the Illinois River

Since the 1930s, dredge material has been removed from the Illinois River and placed along the main channel border in shallow depths to maintain a 2.7 m deep main channel for commercial navigation. Placement of this material changes the sediment composition from primarily silt/clay to primarily sand, and it buries pre-existing benthic invertebrates. During 1997 and 1998, the benthos of an 125 km reach of the middle Illinois River (La Grange Reach) was studied by extracting 1065 Ponar samples from randomly-selected sites which had never received dredge material, received dredge material one year previous, or received dredge material during the current year. Although total numbers of macroinvertebrates collected was lower in 1998 than in 1997, relative abundances of eight targeted taxa were highly similar between years. Chironimidae were most abundant and comprised >66% of all macroinvertebrates collected both years. Differences in densities of Chironomidae, Ephemeroptera, Sphaeriidae, Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774), Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771), Odonata, and Gastropoda among the three classes of dredge material placement were all significant (P< 0.05). For all taxa, densities were highest at sites that had never received dredge material; and, for all taxa except Chironimidae, densities were lowest at sites that received dredge material during the current year. No significant recovery by macroinvertebrates was noticed on dredge areas of this reach after one year (P>0.05). Future operations to maintain a channel for navigation should consider preexisting densities of macroinvertebrate taxa. Because benthic macroinvertebrates are an important component of the food web and shifting sand does not support diverse macroinvertebrate communities, strategic placement of dredge material by avoiding islands or other areas of high macroinvertebrate diversity could improve overall system productivity and biotic integrity of large river-floodplains.