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。     

辽河流域大型底栖动物耐污值

大型底栖动物耐污值是构建河流生物评价指标的基础。受自然地理区域影响,同一分类单元的耐污值会出现地域上的差异,因此计算和修订适用于某一研究区域的耐污值是准确评价该区域河流健康状况的前提。目前尚未有针对我国北方河流大型底栖动物耐污值计算和修订的报道,基于2009年春季、秋季和2010年夏季在辽河流域308个样点的大型底栖动物数据,采用Simpson多样性指数的水质分级标准对所有样点的水质等级进行了划分,并利用累积分位数法计算获得了辽河流域大型底栖动物195个分类单元的耐污值;同时参考专家经验和相关文献核定了其余71个分类单元的耐污值。依据耐污值敏感特征划分标准,辽河流域大型底栖动物优势类群以敏感种和一般耐污种为主,两者几乎占到总分类单元数的84%,耐污类群种类较少,仅占16%。其中敏感类群有齿蛉科Corydalidae,襀科Perlidae,原石蛾科Rhyacophilidae,细裳蜉科Leptophlebiidae等;一般耐污类群有纹石蛾科Hydropsychidae,四节蜉科Baetidae,扁蜷螺科Planorbidae等;耐污类群有颤蚓科Tubificidae、石蛭科Erpobdellidae等。     

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。     

保安湖大型底栖动物结构与分布格局研究

2001年8月对保安湖大型底栖动物进行调查,共记录动物4门7纲25科54属70种。其中,软体动物为绝对优势类群(占总丰度的81.5%)。而腹足类的纹沼螺(Parafossarulus striatulus)、白旋螺(Gyraulus albus)、长角涵螺(Alocinma longicornis)、方格短沟蜷(Semisulcospira libertina)和铜锈环棱螺(Bellamya aeruginosa)为该湖泊的优势种。样点间平均物种丰富度7.1,平均Shannon-Winner指数1.34。刮食者是保安湖底栖动物的最重要的功能摄食类群(占总丰度的80%以上)。结合GPS,将野外调查数据构建GIS数据库。基于GIS软件平台,运用Kringing插值法,构建动物丰度、主要功能摄氏类群及生物多样性等的空间分布格局,较为直观地反映了保安湖底栖动物的分布情况。模拟出的底栖动物分布格局显示,底栖动物各参数在全湖的分布较不均匀,出现数个高分布区。比较底栖动物各种参数的分布格局图与优势水生植物分布格局图,发现总密度、软体动物丰度和Shannon生物多样性指数的高分布区域与水草总生物量的高值区有不同程度的重叠。这表明,保安湖高等水生植物的分布是影响其底栖动物的关键因子。     

济南河流大型底栖动物摄食功能群多样性及时空动态

2014年春季(5月)、夏季(8月)和秋季(11月)对济南地区24个样点的大型底栖动物和水环境理化因子进行了野外调查。利用多样性指数以及典范对应分析等方法,分析了大型底栖动物群落组成和空间结构特征。结果表明:共采集到大型底栖动物3门57种,分别为节肢动物门、软体动物门和环节动物门。春季、夏季和秋季采集到大型底栖动物45种、35种和33种,春季优势种为霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana),夏季优势种为溪流摇蚊(Chironomus riparius)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana),秋季优势种为喜盐摇蚊(Chironomus salinarius)和豆螺(Bithynia fuchsiana)。春季、夏季和秋季密度平均值为2.49×10~3、0.56×10~3、1.03×10~3个体/m~2;生物量平均值为495.59、137.26、109.45 g/m2;Shannon-Wiener指数平均值分别为1.37、1.33和1.17;均匀度指数平均值分别为0.55、0.67和0.59。全地区共划分出大型底栖动物功能摄食类群5类,春季收集者种类最多为20种,夏季刮食者种类最多为12种,秋季收集者与刮食者种类最多为11种,3个季节中收集者密度均占绝对优势,其次为刮食者。典范对应分析表明,春季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是总磷和总氮;夏季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是pH和溶解氧;秋季影响黄河流域和淮河流域大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子是溶解氧和pH。     

漓江大型底栖动物功能摄食类群时空分布及生态效应

基于2009年9月至2012年8月期间对漓江上中下游3个河流区段的4次采样调查,分析了漓江大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的组成与时空分布状况及其对河流生境变化的响应情况。结果表明:漓江大型底栖动物以刮食者占据绝对优势,其次依次是滤食者、收集者、捕食者和撕食者。刮食者中优势种为中华园田螺和黑龙江短沟蜷,滤食者中优势种为河蚬和纹石蚕,收集者中优势种为小蜉和摇蚊幼虫,捕食者中优势种为扁舌蛭和蜻蜓幼虫,撕食者中优势种为泥甲。根据功能摄食类群参数对河流生境以及人类活动影响的评价表明,人类居住生活对生境稳定性的影响显著大于旅游观光带来的影响,环境因子中溶解氧(DO)、pH、电导率(EC)、温度(Temp)、浊度(Tur)、化学需氧量(COD)和总氮(TN)等环境因子与漓江大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的相关性均较强。     

长江宜昌段桥边河大型底栖动物功能摄食类群时空分布特征

研究河流生境时空变化对大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的影响,分析底栖动物功能摄食类群对环境因子的响应关系,对评估河流生态系统健康具有重要意义。以长江支流桥边河为研究对象,基于2020年8月、2021年1月和2021年4月对桥边河大型底栖动物和水体理化因子的调查数据,分析了大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的构成以及时空分布特征。结果表明：共采集到大型底栖动物3门38种,包括节肢动物门23种、软体动物门13种、环节动物门2种。桥边河大型底栖动物功能摄食类群中滤食者占绝对优势,其次为刮食者、捕食者、撕食者和收集者。滤食者的优势种为闪蚬和河蚬,刮食者的优势种为方格短沟蜷、铜锈环棱螺和卵萝卜螺,捕食者的优势种为河蟌,撕食者的优势种为秀丽白虾,收集者的优势种为黄色羽摇蚊。冗余分析（RDA）表明,影响桥边河大型底栖动物功能摄食类群的主要环境因子为溶解氧（DO）、氨态氮（NH₄⁺-N）、水深（Dep）、pH、温度（T）和硝态氮（NO₃^--N）。研究大型底栖动物功能摄食类群组成和时空分布特征,可为河流生态系统修复提供参考依据。     

珠江口大型底栖动物的群落结构及影响因子研究

2008年8月至2009年5月, 调查了珠江口水域大型底栖动物季节分布以及与环境的关系, 结果表明:共鉴定出大型底栖动物34种, 多毛类和软体动物是该水域大型底栖动物的主要类群;大型底栖动物的密度和生物量以春季最高, 分别为759ind/m2和5.03g/m2,秋季则最低,分别为274ind/m2和2.34/g/m2.食底泥者是珠江口大型底栖动物最主要的功能摄食类群。研究区大型底栖动物的物种多样性指数(H′)、物种均匀度指数(J′)和物种丰富度指数(D)差异均不显著。典型对应分析表明:夏季锌、铜、铅、磷酸盐和透明度等5个因子与珠江口大型底栖动物群落相关性显著;秋季为铵氮;冬季和春季则分别为透明度和温度。       

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。     

长江口新生湿地大型底栖动物群落时空变化格局

为了解长江口新生湿地大型底栖动物时空变化格局,2004年11月—2005年10月对九段沙湿地的3个沙洲以及各主要生境进行了调查。结果表明:九段沙湿地大型底栖动物密度和生物量均呈春季最高,夏、秋季下降,秋季末和冬季回升的趋势,整体生物多样性水平较低,分布不均匀。夏季上沙和中沙底栖动物密度存在显著差异,四季生物密度和生物量空间梯度为下沙>上沙>中沙。由物种组成分析可知,九段沙湿地大型底栖动物群落时空变化与优势种的消长有关。各季海三棱藨草带和藨草带底栖动物密度和生物量最高,芦苇和互花米草次之,光滩区域最低,且群落季节波动大。外来物种互花米草生境下底栖动物群落特征与土著种芦苇生境下无显著差异。     

Impacts of small hydropower plants on macroinvertebrate communities

Several nitrogen (N) field experiments were carried out in Nanjing and Anyang, China, to study the dynamic characteristics of biomass accumulation and N uptake, and to define the dilution curve for critical N concentration in cotton reproductive organ over the growth period. The results show that the total biomass and N accumulation were affected significantly by the rate of N application, exhibiting a sigmoid curve over time. The beginning time of fast N accumulation was 1–5 d earlier than that of biomass accumulation. The cotton lint yield was correlated with N concentration in the reproductive organ and fluctuated with varying N concentration, indicating the existence of luxurious N consumption in the cotton reproductive organ. The N concentration increased with increasing N application rates, and decreased gradually during the growth period. The relationship between biomass and N concentration can be described with a power equation. The patterns of the N concentration dilution model were consistent at both experimental sites, but the model parameter values of a differed. The results presented in this paper indicate that a critical N concentration dilution curve for cotton reproductive organ is independent of ecological region and can be described with a power equation.     

Relationships between the Seasonal Variations of Macroinvertebrates,and Land Uses for Biomonitoring in the Xitiaoxi River Watershed,China

The impacts of differences in watershed land uses, and differences in seasonality on benthic macroinvertebrate communities, were evaluated in 12 stream sites within the Xitiaoxi River watershed, China, from April 2009 to January 2010. The composition of macroinvertebrate community differed significantly among three land use types. Forested sites were characterized by high taxa richness, diversity and the benthic‐index of biotic integrity (B‐IBI), while farmland and urban disturbed stream sites presented contrary patterns. The percentage of urban land use, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus were the major drivers for the variations. The land use related water quality stress gradients of the four sampling seasons were determined by means of four independent Principal Component Analyses. The responses of macroinvertebrate community metrics, to anthropogenic stressors, were explored using Spearman Rank Correlation analyses. All the selected metrics, including total numbers of taxa, numbers of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera taxa, percentage of non‐insect abundance, percentage of scrapers abundance, Pielou’s evenness index, Simpson diversity index, and the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity were correlated significantly with environmental gradients (PC1) in autumn. In other seasons such correlations were less pronounced. Our results imply that autumn is the optimal time to sample macroinvertebrate communities, and to conduct water quality biomonitoring in this subtropical watershed. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influences of low-head dams on the fish assemblages in the headwater streams of the Qingyi watershed, China

The influences of low-head dams on the fish assemblages were examined in this study, using fish data collected in six treatment and five reference sites at three low-head dams in the headwater streams of the Qingyi watershed, China. Comparing with those in the reference sites, local habitat variables were significantly altered by low-head dams in the treatment sites, involving wider channel (only in the impoundment area), deeper water and slower flow. Fish species richness varied significantly across seasons, not across site categories, suggesting that these low-head dams did not alter species richness. However, significant decreases in fish abundance and density were observed in the impoundment areas immediately upstream of dams, but not in the plunge areas downstream. Fish assemblage structures kept relative stability across seasons, and their significant difference between-site was only observed between the impoundment areas and the sites far from dams upstream. This variation in assemblage structures was due to the differing relative abundance of some co-occurring species; more lentic but less lotic fish was observed in the impoundment areas. The spatial and temporal patterns of fish assemblages were correlated with local habitat in this study area. Wetted width had negative correlation with fish species richness, abundance and density, respectively. Water temperature also positively affected species richness. In addition, wetted width, water depth, current velocity and substrate were the important habitat variables influencing assemblage structures. Our results suggested that, by modifying local habitat characteristics, low-head dams altered fish abundance and density in the impoundment areas immediately upstream of dam, not in the plunge areas immediately downstream, and thereby influenced fish assemblage structures in these stream segments.     

Response of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages to erosion control structures in a wastewater dominated urban stream in the southwestern U.S.

Effects of stream erosion control structures on aquatic macroinvertebrates were studied (2000–2009) in a wastewater dominated drainage (Wash) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mainstem sites with and without structures, wastewater treatment plant outfalls, a reference site above treatment plant inputs, and tributary sites were sampled. Ordination suggested hydrology and channel characteristics (current velocity, stream depth, and width), and water quality (conductivity) were primary factors in organizing macroinvertebrate communities, with some variables altered at structures. Treatment plant inputs changed hydrology (increased flows), water chemistry (conductivity decreased below treatment plants), and temperature. Assemblages differed between site types, with midges and damselflies important at tributary sites and Fallceon mayflies and Smicridea caddisflies common at erosion control structures. Locally unique communities developed at structures which also may have facilitated exotic species invasions. Analyses showed that taxa richness increased over time at these sites and differed significantly from richness at sites without structures. Structures appeared important in retaining organic matter and, among mainstem sites, coarse particulate organic matter was highest, but variable, at structures and at wetlands above the structures. Erosion control structures, coupled with warm effluent, high baseflows, and altered water quality resulted in development of a macroinvertebrate community that did not trend towards reference or tributary sites. In this case, ecological communities at structures used for river restoration were not on a continuum between disturbed and reference sites. Goal setting of community responses at these structures would have required insight beyond the simple use of reference site attributes.     

Aquatic macroinvertebrate richness and diversity associated with native submerged aquatic vegetation plantings increases in longer-managed and wetland-channeled effluent constructed urban wetlands

Macroinvertebrate community structure and assemblages associated with the planted, native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) species Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) MacMillan and Potamogeton nodosus Poiret were examined in a series of constructed urban floodway wetlands, the Dallas Floodway Extension Lower Chain of Wetlands, Dallas, TX, USA. Macroinvertebrate community metrics, including abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness associated with SAV and three different wetlands of varying construction completion dates, water sources (direct or wetland-channeled wastewater effluent), and ecosystem management stage (established/reference or developing) were compared and analyzed. Assemblages at sampling sites were also classified and related to vegetation and wetland physicochemical parameters. Plant species affected only macroinvertebrate abundance, with the less-dissected P. nodosus supporting higher counts than H. dubia. Wetland age and water-effluent type had the most substantial effect on macroinvertebrate communities. The older, longer-managed wetland and wetland-channeled effluent habitat consistently demonstrated higher quality metrics and biodiversity than newly constructed, direct effluent wetland habitat. Increased vegetation cover and wetland age, coupled with moderate water temperature, pH, and DO levels were characteristics of more rich and diverse macroinvertebrate communities, including pollutant-sensitive taxa, such as Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera.

     

山地河流浅滩深潭生境大型底栖动物群落比较研究——以重庆开县东河为例

浅滩和深潭是山地河流中常见的河流生境结构。2011年7月,在重庆开县东河上游双河口-杉木桥河段,选择21个浅滩和深潭,调查大型底栖动物,研究影响不同生境中底栖动物组成、分布和多样性的生态机理。结果表明:调查河段浅滩和深潭中大型底栖动物分别为31种和24种,密度分别为450.62 个/m²和86.24 个/m²,生物量分别为2.88 g/m²和0.55 g/m²。浅滩有指示种11种,即纹石蛾(Hydropsyche sp.)、假蜉(Iron sp.)、假二翅蜉(Pseudocloeon sp.)、舌石蛾(Glossosoma sp.)、高翔蜉(Epeorus sp.1)、背刺蜉(Notacanthurus sp.)、Heterocloeon sp、锯形蜉(Serratella sp.)、朝大蚊(Antocha sp.)、等蜉(Isonychia sp.)、溪颏蜉(Rhithrogena sp.)。深潭指示种仅蜉蝣(Ephemera sp.)和黑大蚊(Hexatoma sp.)两种。刮食者为两类生境的优势功能摄食类群。浅滩中滤食者和刮食者比例显著高于深潭,而收集者和捕食者显著低于深潭。两类生境中大型底栖动物群落结构差异显著。浅滩中大型底栖动物的密度、生物量、丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener 指数、改进的Shannon-Wiener指数均明显高于深潭。受地貌形态、水力特征和冲淤变化规律影响的生境稳定性和异质性差异是导致大型底栖动物群落差异的主要原因。     

香溪河小水电的梯级开发对浮游藻类的影响

以香溪河干流上5个连续的小水电站为对象,于2005年10月20—22日分别对其浮游藻类和主要理化指标进行研究.结果表明：硅藻占绝对优势(95.54%),其中,线性曲壳藻(Achnanthes linearis)、披针曲壳藻椭圆变种(A. lanceolata var. elliptica)、扁圆卵形藻(Cocconeis placentula)为绝对优势种,其平均相对丰富度分别为23.96%、18.62%和12.48%;所有样点的平均藻类密度为6.29×10⁵ ind·L^-1,最高为1.81×10⁶ ind·L^-1,最低为2.35×10⁵ ind·L^-1.方差分析表明,流速变化是小水电站开发影响河流中浮游藻类的主要原因.电站取水坝的建立,使其下游生境(生境3)与其它4个生境显著不同,导致多个参数出现骤变,包括Margalef多样性指数、物种丰富度、属的丰富度、硅藻组成、硅藻百分含量等均受到显著影响.     

深圳大鹏半岛主要河流底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

2013年5月对深圳大鹏半岛4条主要河流(葵涌河、王母河、鹏城河和东涌河)的大型底栖动物群落结构进行了调查,并利用香农-维纳多样性指数和生物指数(BI)对河流水质进行了生物学评价。在大鹏半岛主要河流的15个样点共采获大型底栖动物35种,隶属3门7纲21科,其中水生昆虫26种,约占底栖动物种类数的74%。但底栖动物的种类组成与分布极不均匀,EPT(蜉蝣目+襀翅目+毛翅目)等对水质变化较敏感的类群主要分布于葵涌河的源头及受人为干扰活动较少的东涌河,而耐污能力较强的摇蚊科幼虫、霍甫水丝蚓和颤蚓等则为葵涌河中、下游样点、王母河和鹏城河的优势物种。生物指数(BI)相较于香农-维纳多样性指数,更适用于水质评价。结果显示,除葵涌河源头、鹏城河和东涌河样点的水质处于清洁至轻污染外,其余大部分样点处于中污染至重污染状态。推测大鹏半岛的王母河及葵涌河中、下游河段的生活污水及工业废水已对底栖动物的群落结构与河流水质造成了一定的影响。     

Habitat characteristics and macroinvertebrate assemblages in boreal forest streams: relations to catchment silvicultural activities

We compared the stream habitat characteristics and macroinvertebrate assemblages of boreal headwater streams in both the Finnish and the Russian parts of a single river basin, the Koitajoki River. Over the last 50 years, the Finnish side of the catchment has been managed using modern forestry techniques, whereas Russian side has remained nearly unexploited and is near to its natural state. Differences in silvicultural activities were observed to contribute to differences in habitat structure. The channel habitats were in fairly natural state in the Russian reference streams, whereas the impacted Finnish sites were cleared and straightened. In comparison with the impacted channels, the abundance of coarse woody debris (CWD) was 10–100-fold higher in the reference streams. Implications on the forestry-induced deterioration of water quality were also observed. On the contrary, only small differences in macroinvertebrate assemblages were detected. Despite the lower amount of retentive structures (CWD), significantly higher relative abundance of shredders was observed in the forestry-impacted streams. Otherwise the zoobenthic communities were quite similar in the two subcatchments. We suggest that several mechanisms may explain this similarity: (1) community structure is controlled by naturally acidic conditions, (2) the adverse impacts of forestry on habitat structure and water quality of streams may be compensated by increased input of deciduous litter and organic compounds from drained, structurally young riparian forests and (3) macroinvertebrate species have flexible feeding habits and may thus readily adapt to changing conditions.     

Macroinvertebrate stream communities along regional and physico-chemical gradients in Western Greenland

1. Macroinvertebrates were collected and physico‐chemical variables measured at 16 stream sites in Western Greenland during July 1999. Eight sites were located on Disko Island in an arctic oceanic climate and eight sites in the Kangerlussuaq area close to the icecap where the climate is arctic continental. The streams had different water sources (glacial, groundwater, snowmelt and lake water). 2. The streams showed pronounced differences in water temperature (2.2–17.3 °C), concentrations of suspended solids (0–2400 mg L^?1), and conductivity (10–109 μS cm^?1). Principal component analysis (PCA) analysis of the physico‐chemical variables separated the Disko Island sites into a distinct group, whereas the sites in the Kangerlussuaq area were more dispersed. 3. A total of 56 macroinvertebrate species were found, including 31 species of Chironomidae, the most abundant of which was Orthocladius thienemanni. Diamesa sp. was only the sixth most abundant chironomid taxon. Species composition varied between sites, and abundance varied from about 20 individuals m^?2 in a glacier fed stream to more than 16 000 m^?2 in a lake outlet. 4. The macroinvertebrate communities of the 16 streams were separated into five TWINSPAN groups reflecting water source, irrespective of region. Lake outlets and ground‐water‐fed streams had the highest species richness and abundance, temperature and bed stability, while glacier‐fed streams were characterized by low species richness, abundance, temperature, bed stability and high concentrations of suspended solids. Macroinvertebrate species richness was positively correlated with water temperature and negatively with bed stability. Conductivity was positively correlated with invertebrate abundance. 5. The results of this study suggest that the source of stream water can be used to predict invertebrate community composition in Greenlandic streams and thus the effects of changes in water balance and flow regime, and to identify sites of special conservation interest.