Effects of headwater impoundment and channelization on invertebrate drift

The construction of a flood control impoundment on Twitty's Creek added large numbers of organisms of limnetic origin to the stream ecosystem. However, the number of limnetic organisms per unit volume of water decreased rapidly as the distance downstream from the reservoir increased and, during most sampling periods, made up an insignificant portion of the total drift biomass at 7.2 km downstream. Factors favoring the extended downstream drift of limnetic organisms were high stream discharge and low water temperature.Several taxa of benthic organisms had much lower drift rates in the station immediately below the dam than at other stations and several taxa commonly taken at other stations were not captured immediately below the reservoir outfall. One possible explanation is that these organisms may have longer drift recruitment distances than the distance from the reservoir outfall to the sample location.A comparison of drift densities of organisms of benthic origin and benthic standing crop densities in channeled and unchanneled streams revealed that drift densities were higher in channeled streams than in unchanneled streams for most taxa of invertebrates. In addition, channeled streams appeared to have lower benthic standing crops than unchanneled streams for most taxa of invertebrates.In stream sections impacted by either channelization or the Twitty Lake outfall, the energy dynamics of the stream ecosystems were altered by increased density of drifting invertebrates. From the standpoint of increasing food availability to the fish fauna of the stream, these changes would appear to benefit drift feeding species and negatively impact bottom feeding species.     

The relation between invertebrate drift and two primary controls,discharge and benthic densities,in a large regulated river

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Short-term responses of macroinvertebrate drift following experimental sediment flushing in a Japanese headwater channel

We examined short-term responses of macroinvertebrate drift associated with experimental sediment flushing in a headwater. Increases in the drifting abundances of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera coincided with increases in bed load yield rather than peaks in discharge or suspended sediment concentrations. The approach and arrival of a sediment wave may provide a physical cue that initiates the escape of benthic macroinvertebrates. Because fine bed load sediments, with diameters <4 mm, tended to accumulate on and in the substrate matrix, such sedimentation affected the benthic macroinvertebrates residing on and in the substrate, increasing the number of macroinvertebrates in the drift. Therefore, the decreases observed in the densities of most macroinvertebrate taxa following sediment flushing were probably associated with sediment deposition and the resulting escape of macroinvertebrates from benthic habitats. The magnitudes of the decreases in macroinvertebrate density were lower at sites located 200 m downstream from the sediment sources than at sites located 20 m downstream. The results from this experimental flushing study suggest that bed load movement and resulting sediment accumulation alter macroinvertebrate drift patterns and cause decreases in the abundances of benthic macroinvertebrates in headwater streams.     

Seasonal and diel periodicity in the drift of aquatic insects in a subtropical Florida stream

A study of insect drift was conducted in a small, subtropical Florida stream from December 1971 to December 1972 to describe the seasonal and diel periodicity and to determine factors influencing behavioural drift. Paired samples of 2 h duration beginning 15 min after sunset were taken biweekly, and hourly collections over a 24-h period were made quarterly. Benthic invertebrates were collected on each date from three habitats (riffle, pool and aquatic vegetation) and temperature, dissolved oxygen and current velocity were measured. Drift rates ranged from 100 to 2125 organisms/m². h (0·03 to 0·49 organisms/m³) and were greatest in winter and early spring; minimal rates occurred in the summer months. The following six taxa, in order of relative abundance, comprised 87% of the drift: Baetis intercalaris, Cheumatopsyche sp., Stenonema exiguum, Chironomidae, Stenelmis fuscata and Simulium sp. Total drift showed no significant correlation with temperature, dissolved oxygen or mean benthic abundance and only slight correlation with current velocity (r=0·34). Stepwise, multiple regression analyses indicated that riffle density and mean size of drifting organisms were important factors influencing the drift rates of B. intercalaris (R=0·67) and S. exiguum (R=0·82); mean size, riffle density and water temperature influenced the drift of Cheumatopsyche sp. (R=0·78). The other taxa of drifting insects showed no significant correlation with the variables measured. Diel (24 h) studies of the major taxa showed marked differences in the periodicity, both within and between taxa, indicating the need for long-term studies with frequent sample intervals in subtropical habitats. A new drift pattern for the family Chironomidae, alternans type, was observed for late instars of Polypedilum halterale.     

Longitudinal variation in recolonization rates of macroinvertebrates along an upland river in south-eastern Australia

SUMMARY. 1. Recolonization rates of benthic invertebrates were estimated at five sites in the catchment of the Acheron River, in spring (October) and in summer (January), The sites ranged from those that experience short floods and high shear stress at the streambed (upstream sites) to those that experience prolonged floods and low shear stress (downstream sites). We hypothesized that these differences should affect recolonization rate.
2. In October, absolute rates of recolonization of taxa (number of taxa 0.05 m⁻² d⁻¹) onto 1-m² patches of substratum, which had been raked to remove fauna, did not vary between the three sites studied, nor did the relative rates of recolonization of taxa (absolute rate/mean number of taxa in control samples, which were taken from adjacent undisturbed patches of substratum). Absolute rates of recolonization of individuals (number of individuals 0.05 m⁻² d⁻¹) were proportional to the mean number of individuals in control samples; relative rates of recolonization of individuals (absolute rate/mean number of individuals in control samples) did not vary between sites.
3. In January, absolute rates of recolonization either of taxa or individuals were positively correlated with the mean densities of taxa or individuals in control samples; relative rates did not vary between the four sites studied.
4. We conclude that the benthic invertebrate communities at the various sites do not adapt to variations in flooding regime by altering relative recolonization rates. Absolute recolonization rates are directly proportional to the prevailing number of taxa or individuals at a site.     

Effects of single and repeated experimental acid pulses on invertebrates in a high altitude Sierra Nevada stream

1. We examined responses of aquatic macroinvertebrates to pulsed acidification experiments in twelve streamside channels located in the Sierra Nevada, California. Experiment 1 consisted of a single 8 h acid addition, and Experiment 2 consisted of two 8 h acid additions administered 2 weeks apart. Replicated treatments (four reps/ treatment) consisted of a control (pH 6.5–6.7) and pH levels of 5.1–5.2 and 4.4–4.6. Invertebrate drift was monitored continuously and benthic densities were determined before and after acid addition. 2. Drift responses to pH reduction were: (i) increased drift during acidification in pH 5.2 and pH 4.6 treatment channels, often with depressed post-acidification drift in treatment channels relative to controls (exhibited by Baetis only). Depressed post-acidification drift in treatment channels appeared to be due to low benthic densities because a positive relationship between benthic and drift densities was noted for most common taxa; (ii) increased drift rates during acidification only at pH 4.6 (Epeorus, Drunella, Paraleptophlebia, Zapada, and Simulium); (iii) decreased drift at pH 5.2 and/or pH 4.6 relative to control channels (Rhyacaphila and chironomid larvae); (iv) no significant response to acidification (Ameletus, Amiocentrus, Dixa and Hydroporus). 3. A high proportion (45–100%) of acid-induced drift in Baetis, Epeorus, and chironomid larvae could be attributed to dead, drifting individuals. 4. Except for chironomids, most common invertebrates (i.e. Baetis and Paraleptophlebia) showed reduced benthic densities in treatment relative to control channels after acidification. 5. For sensitive taxa, drift was enhanced and benthic densities reduced by single (Experiment 1) and initial [Experiment 2(a)] acid pulses. Drift responses to a second acid pulse [Experiment 2(b)] were not as pronounced as those to the single or initial acid pulses [Experiments 1 and 2(a)], and the second acid pulse had no additional effect on benthic density.     

The impact of repeated insecticidal treatments on drift and benthos of a headwater stream

A small first-order, Appalachian Mountain stream received successive seasonal treatments with the insecticide, methoxychlor. Despite an application rate of 10 mg/1 methoxychlor for 4 hours, based on stream discharge, only a small fraction (1.6%) of the insecticide was exported to downstream reaches for a 31 h period during and following treatment. Most of the insecticide was incorporated into sediments of the streambed, which had residues ranging from 0.038 to 11.7 µg methoxychlor/g dry wt of sediments in June 1986 following treatments in December 1985 and March 1986. Despite low concentrations of methoxychlor measured in stream water (maximum = 128 µg/l) during the initial treatment, massive drift (> 950 000 organisms, and 70 g AFDM biomass) occurred from a stream area of about 144 m². Numerically, collector-gatherer taxa (primarily Chironomidae) dominated drift (63 %) followed by shredders and predators; however, biomass of drift was dominated by shredders (48.9%), followed by predators and collector-gatherers. Compared with pre-treatment benthic abundances, insects were reduced by 75% following the initial treatment in December 1985, and 85% following an additional treatment in March 1986. Benthic abundances of non-insect taxa showed no significant changes. Benthic abundances of shredder, collector-filterer, and scraper functional groups exhibited significant decreases in the first month following treatment. Although benthic abundances of collector-gatherer and predator taxa were reduced by 48.6 and 40.5%, respectively, the reduction was not statistically significant because of high-sample variance. Comparisons of drift composition during the initial treatment with successive quarterly treatments (March 1986 to January 1988) reflected of ongoing pesticide disturbance of the biota as the community structure shifted from one consisting of a diverse insect and non-insect fauna toward one dominated by copepods, oligochaetes, Collembola, and chironomids.     

Spatio-temporal changes of benthic macroinvertebrates in a cold Arkansas tailwater

This paper investigates spatial, seasonal and long-term changes in benthic macroinvertebrates in riffles of a cold tailwater. Cold tailwaters initially disrupt previously existing macroinvertebrate assemblages, but little is known about the long-term biological effects of a stable cold thermal regime. Assemblages at an upstream and downstream site of the Little Red River, Arkansas were investigated almost 30 years apart (1971 and 1999). Based upon published literature demonstrating the stability of benthic assemblages within unaltered environments, we predicted that the assemblages would be similar for each variable investigated. The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages can be characterized as low diversity, with a total of 17 taxa identified. Isopods and Diptera comprised ~80% of all individuals. Other than chironomids, insects and particularly EPT taxa were poorly represented. Recent macroinvertebrate densities were significantly greater compared to the historical study period for the downstream site. Assemblage comparisons revealed moderate differences between study periods. Macroinvertebrate density was significantly greater upstream than downstream in the 1971 study period, yet taxa richness was significantly greater downstream for both study periods. Faunal composition was significantly different for upstream and downstream sites. Seasonal differences in numerical standing crop were identified for the 1971 upstream and 1999 downstream data sets. Low to moderate levels of seasonal, spatial and historical variation among benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were attributed to environmental (temperature and flow) stability. The lack of aquatic insects other than chironomids over a 30-year period is indicative of the extreme constraints placed upon insect development within this cold regulated river.     

Field experiments on the relationship between drift and henthic densities of aquatic insects in tropical streams (Ivory Coast). III Trichoptera

SUMMARY. 1. Based on in situ gutter trials we related the drift of caddis flies to their benthic densities and to various abiotic factors in streams in the Ivory Coast (West Africa). Members of the families Hydropsychidae, Philopotamidae. Hydroptilidae and Leptoceridae were considered in detail.
2. The drift of larvae peaked at night in both early and late larval instars.
3. Drift of a larval group (a certain instar, species or higher taxon) was more often related to the benthic density of other larval groups than to its own benthic density.
4. Self-regulation of an upper benthic density of a larval group by emigration through drift was not statistically evident.
5. There was no straightforward relationship between drift and abiotic factors.
6. Drift rates differed between taxa as well as between larval instars (size groups) within a taxon. Newly hatched larvae had very high drift rates, whereas the last larval instar usually had the lowest drift rate.
7. We related these results to the violently fluctuating discharge of the streams in the study area and the consequent variability of space for lotic insects.
8. Drift estimates, made at the same time as a monitoring programme on possible side-effects of insecticides (Onchocerciasis Control Programme), failed to reflect benthic densities except in the night drift of Hydropsychidae.     

Dynamics of Invertebrate Benthic Communities and Drift in a Regulated River of Central Spain

We document invertebrate benthic and drift dynamics in a regulated river in central Spain at two temporal scales: seasonal (for both benthos and drift) and daily (for drift). The benthic abundance of individuals and taxon richness generally increased in the summer. Drift abundance showed no seasonal or daily variation, but taxon richness of drifting individuals was higher in the spring. Both ben‐thos and drift showed clear seasonal changes in taxonomic composition. Interestingly, some benthic taxa showed their highest abundances in the spring, while others were more abundant in the summer. In contrast, most drifting taxa were more abundant in the spring. Different functional feeding groups showed different patterns of variation throughout the year, both in the benthos and the drift. Daily variations in drift were present in very few taxa and functional feeding groups, and only in some seasons. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An enigmatic heteronemertean from the Gulf of Mexico

The effects of acid (HNO3) on drift and survival of benthic invertebrate communities were assessed in stream microcosms over a 7-day exposure period. Communities were obtained from the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado, using artificial substrates colonized in the stream for 30 days and then transferred to stream microcosms. Streams receiving the highest acid concentration (pH 4.0) contained significantly fewer individuals ( F = 378.42, p < 0.0001) and taxa ( F = 7.8, p = 0.0123) at the end of the experiment compared to the other two treatments (pH 5.5, 6.5) and the control (pH 7.4). Reduced macroinvertebrate abundance resulted primarily from reduced abundance of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) which were particularly sensitive. Comparisons of Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Diptera abundances showed no statistically significant differences among treatments. Analysis of invertebrate drift samples, collected after 2, 6, 18, and 42 h exposure, revealed that percent drift in the most acidic streams was nine times that of control streams. Ephemeroptera was the only aquatic insect order to exhibit a significant drift response, and timing and magnitude of responses varied among mayfly taxa. Differences in sensitivity to acid among aquatic insect orders observed in our experimental streams were similar to those reported from field studies in other regions. Effects of acid on drift and survival of benthic invertebrate communities were also similar to effects of heavy metals, one of the primary water quality concerns in the Rocky Mountain region. These results suggest a general pattern of responses to chemical stressors in benthic communities from Rocky Mountain streams. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Composition and seasonality of benthic invertebrates,and drift in the Naro Moru River,Kenya

A survey was carried out to establish the nature and composition of the benthos along the Naro Moru, a tropical river in central Kenya using artificial substrate baskets, from November 1986 to October 1987. A clear longitudinal zonation existed for Diptera and Ephemeroptera which were the major benthic taxa. Maximum colonization took place after ten days of exposure. Seasonal variations in abundance were also observed. All taxa collected from the bottom samples were also collected in the drift samples, but the percentage composition of the benthos showed variations with that of the drift. Simulium sp. dominated the benthos whilst Baetis spp. dominated the drift. There was a positive correlation between drift rate and benthic fauna density.     

Stream detritus dynamics: Regulation by invertebrate consumers

Summary Insecticide treatment of a small, Appalachian forest stream caused massive downstream insect drift and reduced aquatic insect densities to <10% of an adjacent untreated reference stream. Reduction in breakdown rates of leaf detritus was accompanied by differences in quantity and composition of benthic organic matter between the two streams. Following treatment, transport of particulate organic matter was significantly lower in the treated stream than in the reference stream whereas no significant differences existed prior to treatment. Our results indicate that macroinvertebrate consumers, primarily insects, are important in regulating rates of detritus processing and availability to downstream communities.     

Land-use influences macroinvertebrate community response following a pulse disturbance

1. We tested the hypothesis that interactions between disturbance types can influence invertebrate community response and recovery in two streams draining pasture (press‐pulse disturbance) and native forest (pulse disturbance) catchments before and after a one‐in‐28‐year flood. We also sampled drift and adult insects to gain insights into the relative importance of these two postdisturbance recolonisation pathways. 2. Taxa numbers and total density declined markedly at the forested site after the flood, but there was a delayed response at the pasture site, reflecting greater initial resistance to this pulse disturbance among taxa adapted to the underlying press disturbance. 3. Community composition was less stable at the pasture site where per cent abundance of taxa was highly variable prior to the flood and over the 2‐year postflood sampling period. After the flood, the pasture stream fauna was more heavily dominated by vagile taxa, including several chironomid species and hydroptilid caddisflies. 4. Taxa numbers and densities recovered to preflood levels within 5–7 months at both sites, but a range of taxa‐specific responses was observed that took up to 18 months to recover to preflood densities. Community stability at the pasture site had not returned to preflood composition by 2 years postflood. 5. Changes in drift densities of several common stream invertebrates at the pasture site reflected postflood changes in benthic densities and seasonally low drift in winter. Terrestrial invertebrates dominated drift at the pasture site for 3 months postflood whereas Ephemeroptera were most common at the native forest site. 6. Flight patterns of selected adult aquatic insects showed a strongly seasonal pattern. Abundance of adults at the pasture site in the second year following the flood increased in line with the recovery of the non‐Dipteran benthic fauna. Significant upstream flight occurred for several caddisfly species at the native forest site, and weakly directional or downstream flight was evident for most common Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera. 7. This study indicates that the magnitude and duration of responses to major pulse disturbances can depend on the presence or absence of an underlying press disturbance. This finding has implications for monitoring, and suggests that a knowledge of disturbance history beyond 2 years may be required to interpret mechanisms contributing to observed land‐use impacts.     

Scale-dependence of movement rates in stream invertebrates

We used analytical models and random walk simulations in a one-dimensional habitat to study the scale-dependence of migration rates in stream invertebrates. Our models predict that per capita migration rate is inversely proportional to patch length when patches are large compared to the scale of movements. When patches are small the scale-dependence is weaker and primarily determined by the length of individual movements (steps) relative to patch size. Laboratory experiments using isopods ( Asellus aquaticus L . ) and mayfly nymphs ( Baetis sp.) confirmed that the strength of the scale-dependence decreased with increasing step length.
For the case when step length distributions follow an exponential probability distribution, which is often the case for stream organisms, we provide a simple model that allows the scale-dependence to be predicted from the mean step length. We fitted this model to published field data on drift densities at different downstream distances from a net that blocks the drift from upstream areas. Agreement between model and data was excellent in most cases. We then used already published data on the length of induced drift movements to predict the scale-dependence that was observed in block experiments performed in the same system. Predicted and observed scale-dependence showed very close agreement.
We conclude that our models and published data on drift distances can be used to calculate the expected scale-dependence of per capita emigration rates for a large number of taxa under a wide range of environmental conditions.     

Ecological responses of aquatic macrophytes and benthic macroinvertebrates to dams in the Henares River Basin (Central Spain)

The ecological responses of aquatic macrophytes and benthic macroinvertebrates to deep-release dams in three impounded rivers of the Henares River Basin (Central Spain) were studied, specially focusing on the effects of nutrient enrichment caused by deep releases on these two freshwater communities. Three sampling sites, one upstream and two downstream from the reservoir, were established in each impounded river. Sampling surveys to collect submersed macrophytes and benthic macroinvertebrates at each sampling site were carried out in spring–summer of 2009 and 2011. Water temperature tended to decrease downstream from dams, whereas nitrate and phosphate concentrations tended to increase. These abiotic changes, particularly the downstream nutrient enrichment, apparently affected the macrophyte and macroinvertebrate communities. In the case of submersed macrophytes, total coverage and taxa richness increased downstream from dams. In the case of benthic macroinvertebrates, total density and total biomass also increased downstream, but taxa richness tended to decrease. Scrapers appeared to be the macroinvertebrate feeding group most favored downstream from dams as a probable consequence of the positive effect of nutrient enrichment on periphyton and perilithon abundance. Nutrients would ultimately come from water runoff over agricultural lands and over semi-natural forests and pastures, being subsequently accumulated in the hypolimnion of reservoirs.     

Dams and Flow in the Cotter River, Australia: Effects on Instream Trophic Structure and Benthic Metabolism

This study assessed benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton and its responses to managed river-flows, in riffles downstream of three dams on the Cotter River, Australian Capital Territory. Benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton were also assessed in adjacent tributaries of the river, as well as in a nearby unregulated river and its tributaries. Food sources of four macroinvertebrate taxa (Leptophlebiidae, Elmidae, Glossosomatidae and Orthocladiinae) were determined by stable isotope analysis of the invertebrates and their potential food, in conjunction with examination of the gut contents of individual invertebrates. Components of benthic periphyton were the main food source for the selected taxa. Orthocladiinae consumed primarily amorphous detritus, while Elmidae, Glossosomatidae and Leptophlebiidae consumed diatoms. Enclosed benthic chambers were used to measure the response of benthic metabolism to monthly flow spikes released from one of the dams. The balance of benthic metabolism as measured by the Production/Respiration ratio (P/R) showed a shift towards production after the release of flow spikes. At sites downstream of the dams, there was more periphyton chlorophyll-a in the form of filamentous green algae than at sites in the unregulated river and the tributaries, and macroinvertebrate taxa using periphyton as a food resource were missing or reduced in abundance relative to sites without dams. However, the site downstream of the dam with environmental flow releases had more macroinvertebrate taxa and less periphyton cholorophyll-a content than sites downstream of dams without managed environmental flows, suggesting that a more suitable food supply resulting from environmental flow releases shifted macroinvertebrate communities towards those of unregulated streams.     

广东横石水河流域溪流大型底栖动物漂流的昼夜节律

比较了广东横石水河流域二条相邻的3级溪流大型底栖动物的漂流种类组成及昼夜节律,其中一条溪流受广东大宝山矿外排的酸性矿山废水严重污染,水体pH值仅为3.45且重金属严重超标,而另一条为相邻的清洁溪流.结果表明：清洁溪流中大型底栖动物的数量和种类远比受酸性矿山废水污染的溪流丰富.在清洁溪流中共采获漂流底栖动物6 871头,隶属10目52类群,其中水生昆虫的数量和种类占绝对优势 (99.5%).但总漂流密度占优势的类群（相对多度超过5%）不多,主要集中在以下几种水生昆虫：七鳃假二翅蜉 (28.5%)、宜兴似动蜉 (13.8%)、短脉纹石蛾(13.2%)、白背锯形蜉（7.5%)、摇蚊科(6.5%) 和肖扁泥甲(5.0%).蜉蝣目种类和数量最多,占全部漂流底栖动物总个体数的65%,其中又以四节蜉科居多,占蜉蝣目总个体数的63%.毛翅目昆虫的数量（18%）仅次于蜉蝣目.大型底栖动物的漂流表现出明显的昼夜节律,漂流主要在夜间进行,未发现有日漂者.漂流密度高峰出现在21:00和2:00,漂流密度分别为（70.3±10.8）和（289.0±124.6） 头·100 m^-3.大多数优势种类漂流高峰出现的时段略有不同,但有些优势种类（如摇蚊科和肖扁泥甲）并未表现出明显的漂流昼夜差异.在受酸性矿山废水污染的溪流中,漂流动物只有1种嗜酸性的多足摇蚊,其漂流活动也在夜间进行,并有3个明显的漂流高峰,分别出现在19:00、0:00和4:00,最高漂流密度仅为（6.7±5.2)头·100m^-3.说明酸性矿山废水不仅降低了溪流中漂流底栖动物的物种多样性和数量,也改变了其漂流模式.     

Upstream-downstream movements of aquatic invertebrates in a Rocky Mountain stream

Simultaneous collections of drift and organisms moving either upstream or downstream in association with the substrate were made using a specially designed sampler. Samples were taken in a diel series along a transect across the study riffle of a Colorado foothills stream on six dates over an annual cycle. In addition to longitudinal movements, taxonomic composition and diel periodicity were evaluated. The insect-dominated fauna showed a net downstream displacement. Only the caddisflies Helicopsyche borealis and Hesperophylax occidentalis exhibited net upstream movement, primarily a result of low drift frequencies. The taxonomic composition of moving invertebrates differed from that of the benthos. Drift resembled downstream moving substrate-associated invertebrates in composition, but differed from that of the upstream directed fauna. Taxa collectively exhibited four types of diel patterns: 1) similar downstream (drift and substrate-associated movements) patterns, which generally differed from the upstream pattern; 2) similar benthic (upstream and downstream) patterns, which differed from that of drift; 3) aperiodic patterns; and 4) independent patterns for each type of directional movement. Analysis of size classes based on head capsule width for the mayfly Baetis tricaudatus showed significantly smaller size in stationary individuals compared with moving individuals in the population and revealed that nymphs moving during the day were smaller than those moving at night.     

Fish predation affects the structure of a benthic community

1. We conducted an experimental study of predation by benthivorous fish on a natural community of stream invertebrates using a reach‐scale approach. Over a 2‐year period (experimental phase), the benthic invertebrate community of a stretch containing two species of benthivorous fish was compared with a fishless stretch. Thereafter, all fish were removed and benthic community structure was analysed again to account for natural differences between the two stretches (reference phase). 2. Benthivorous fish at the moderate densities investigated did not affect total benthic biomass or density, but did alter species composition. In addition, the fish effect differed between pool and riffle habitats, with larger effects in the pools indicating a habitat‐specific predation effect. In the reference phase, when all fish were removed from the stream, the difference between the two stretches was reduced. 3. The benthivorous fish reduced the densities of four taxa (Pisidium sp., Dugesia gonocephala, Gammarus pulex, Limoniidae), representing 29% of total biomass. It is possible that density reductions of other species were masked by prey migration despite the relatively large spatial scale. Indeed, higher drift activity in the upstream fishless stretch could have increased the density of Baetis rhodani in the fish stretch, as indicated by the results of a drift model. 4. Our results provide insights into stream food web ecology because fish predation showed effects even in a natural system where habitat complexity was high, environmental factors were highly variable and many predator and prey species interacted and because benthivorous fish were the focus, whereas the majority of previous predation experiments in streams have used drift‐feeding trout.