Macroinvertebrate community structure along gradients of hydraulic and sedimentary conditions in a large gravel-bed river

1. The spatial distribution of macroinvertebrate species was examined in relation to hydraulic and sedimentary conditions in a large gravel‐bed river, the Fraser River, Canada. Mean annual discharge in the Fraser River is 2900 m3 s?1 and annual flood discharge, due to snowmelt in May and June, averages 8760 m3 s?1.
2. Invertebrates were sampled from four water depths (0.2, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0 m) at various levels of discharge that together captured the spatial and temporal variability of the physical habitat. Several hydraulic (near‐bed shear velocity, Boundary Reynolds number, turbulence intensity, depth‐averaged velocity, Froude number, Reynolds number) and substratum variables (mean grain size, Trask's sorting coefficient, Nikuradse's roughness, percentage of fine sediment, and Shields entrainment function) were measured for each sample of macroinvertebrates. Concentrations of fine and coarse particulate organic matter were also assessed.
3. The physical habitat was characterized by a major gradient of hydraulic conditions that corresponded positively with increasing water depth and accounted for 52% of the total variation in the habitat data. Substratum conditions and the concentration of organic matter explained 24% of the total variation in the habitat data.
4. The distribution of invertebrates was correlated significantly with hydraulic variables and suggests that hydraulic conditions represent a major physical gradient along which the benthic community is organized. The distribution of organic matter and substratum texture were also important for some species. The spatial distribution of most species reflected morphological and trophic suitability to particular habitat conditions.
5. Hydraulic stress associated with foraging and maintaining position, as well as organic matter retention in coarse substrata, are probable mechanisms affecting the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrates.     

Macroinvertebrate community structure and biological traits related to flow permanence in a Mediterranean river network

In Mediterranean climate areas, the great seasonal variability in temperature and rainfall is considered to be an evolutionary pressure that constrains plant and animal communities and their biological traits. Droughts alter habitat availability (changes of flow alter riffle-pool sequences), although habitat characteristics may also exacerbate drought to some extent. Using a simple quantitative index based on the proportion of conglomerate bedrock versus gravel and cobbles, pools versus riffles and winter versus summer flow, we show how habitat characteristics (in terms of substratum and flow) may influence the permanency of a stream site and how flow permanence constrains macroinvertebrate community structure and biological traits. Annual and seasonal macroinvertebrate richness, and the EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) and OCH (Odonata, Coleoptera and Hemiptera) metrics differed between permanent, intermittent and ephemeral sites, but not between permanent and intermittent sites. In contrast, distinct biological traits were observed in the three flow categories, although permanent sites presented few significant traits which was attributed to the stability of the habitat. Intermittent sites were dominated by taxa with pool-like strategies, while ephemeral sites were characterized by fauna with life-history adaptations to floods and droughts. In contrast to most traits (e.g., dissemination, reproduction, substrate relation), which were more constrained by local flow and substrate characteristics, life-cycle characteristics did not differ significantly among flow categories. This pattern can be explained by the features of the Mediterranean climate and particularly its high seasonal predictability, which serves as a large-scale filter of life-cycle traits, independently of local hydromorphological characteristics. Our findings indicate that drought is related to habitat characteristics and that local habitat variability favours organisms with certain traits, while other traits are independent of habitat variability on this scale and are probably affected by other large-scale habitat characteristics. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: S. Declerck     

Macroinvertebrate community structure across a wetland hydroperiod gradient in southern New Hampshire,USA

We conducted a field study to examine the influence of hydroperiod and concomitant changes in abiotic (wetland size, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and water temperature) and biotic (predatory fish presence) characteristics on macroinvertebrate communities in isolated wetlands in southern New Hampshire. Invertebrates were sampled using dipnet sweeps in 42 wetlands with short (<4 months), intermediate (4–11 months) or long (permanent) hydroperiods in 1998 and 1999. We found that invertebrate genera richness, and to a lesser degree abundance, increased linearly along the hydrological gradient, and in response to temperature and dissolved oxygen. Relative abundance of genera also differed markedly with respect to hydroperiod. Most notably, invertebrate communities changed from Acilius-dominated communities to Notonecta-dominated communities. Invertebrate relative abundances in permanent wetlands also differed with respect to the occurrence of predatory fish. Some genera (e.g., Libellula, and Dytiscus) were more likely to occur in permanent wetlands without fish, whereas other genera (e.g., Buena, and Basiaeshna) were more likely to occur in wetlands with predatory fish. Because aquatic invertebrate communities differed markedly with respect to wetland hydroperiod, and in relation to the occurrence of predatory fish, it is essential to retain a diversity of wetlands in the landscape to ensure the long-term persistence of aquatic invertebrate biodiversity.     

岷江上游祁连山圆柏群落结构研究

应用样方调查方法,对祁连山圆柏群落外貌和结构进行研究.结果表明,该群落生活型谱中以地面芽植物为主,但一年生植物也占有较大比率,具有一些温带植物群落特征.该群落垂直结构简单,只有乔、灌、草3层,无层间植物及地被层.乔木层只有祁连山圆柏1种;灌木层以高山绣线菊的重要值最大,为153.3;草本层以丛生苔草重要值最大,达到36.8.在不同坡度样地中,大坡度样地上具有相对较多的幼苗和幼树,而低坡度样地有刺灌木和适口性差的草本较多,这主要是由于坡度不同导致样地上放牧强度不同造成的.由年龄结构和高度结构的分析可以看出,祁连山圆柏种群总体上为衰退种群,如果任由放牧等干扰继续下去,群落将向灌丛草甸方向演替.群落上层盖度对下层盖度影响较大,且各层盖度大小与其多样性之间没有必然联系.     

Macroinvertebrate community in the lower Ebro river (NE Spain)

We examine the macroinvertebrate community composition and dynamics in the last 60 km of the Ebro river (NE Spain). Different sampling methods (individual stones, Surber, kick samplers and artificial substrate) were used depending on the characteristics of the sites chosen (substrate, current velocity, saline influence).The high nutrient content and the abundance of UFPOM is the origin of a high density in stones although no clear pattern exists between stone surface area and density or species richness. The high spatial heterogeneity and moderate disturbance intensity and frequency because of river regulation explains the relatively rich macroinvertebrate community and the low temporal changes in the community.     

东灵山暖温带落叶阔叶次生林动态监测样地:物种组成与群落结构

群落结构状态是植被演替进程中的重要体现之一,同时也是下一步演替过程发生的基础.暖温带落叶阔叶次生林是中国暖温带森林植被的主要类型.为了更好地研究其演替动态、生物多样性维持机制,我们参照巴拿马Barro Colorado Island(BCI)50 ha热带雨林样地的技术规范,于2009年11月至2010年9月在北京门头沟区小龙门森林公园的暖温带落叶阔叶次生林内建立了一块20 ha的固定样地(简称DLS),对样地内胸径≥1 cm的所有木本植物进行了鉴定、调查及定位,分析了群落的组成和结构.结果表明,样地内木本植物有58种,隶属于18科33属.独立个体的总数为52,136,包括独立个体分枝的总数为103,284,全部为落叶树种.群落的区系类型以北温带成分居多,同时混有一些亚热带和热带成分,属典型的温带森林类型.群落优势种明显,个体数最多的前5个种的个体数占到总个体数的61%,前20个种占到92%,而其余38个种只占8%.群落成层现象明显,垂直结构由主林层(19个种)、次林层(18个种)和灌木层(21个种)组成.样地所有木本植物个体总径级分布呈倒"J"型,群落更新良好.主林层树种的径级结构近似于双峰或正态分布,而次林层和灌木层树种则表现出倒"J"型或"L"型.几个主要树种的空间分布表现出不同的分布格局,随着径级增大,聚集程度降低.空间分布格局显示主要优势种自身个体在其径级大小的空间分分布上互补,不同径级的个体占据了样地内不同的空间位置.     

Inter-annual changes in the benthic community structure of riffles and pools in reaches of contrasting gradient

The inter-annual variation in the structure of the benthic community of riffles and pools was evaluated in contrasting geomorphic settings. The community structure of riffles and pools was a function of habitat, reach gradient, and discharge and was taxon specific. In years of below average peak discharge, riffles had higher taxon richness than pools (66 versus47) but richness was similar between habitats during a year of average discharge (56 versus 54). The percentage composition of oligochaetes and elmid beetles was more variable inter-annually in pools and low gradient reaches than in high gradient reaches. Differences in the percentage of collector-gatherers and scrapers in riffles and pools appeared related to inter-annual differences in discharge regimes. Two components of the annual discharge regime appear to differentially affect the composition of the benthic community in the snowmelt dominated stream studied: the magnitude of the annual peak discharge and the duration and timing of the period of extended high flow.     

秦岭皇冠暖温性落叶阔叶林物种组成与群落结构

秦岭是典型的暖温带-亚热带过渡区.中国森林生物多样性监测网络(CForBio)现有的样地已经基本覆盖了中国大多数气候区,但位于气候过渡带的样地较少.本研究参照CForBio和CTFS (Center for Tropical Forest Science)的技术规范,于2019年在陕西皇冠山省级自然保护区内建立25 h...     

暖温带落叶阔叶林动态变化的模拟研究

用森林动态林窗模型 FORET1模拟了暖温带落叶阔叶林的长期变化特征。模型参数取自暖温带地区长期森林研究和经营的历史数据 ,对过去数据中缺少的参数进行了实地测定 ,并用观测的数据对模型作了检验。结果表明模型能较好地模拟暖温带落叶阔叶林的长期动态变化特征。通过模拟可以看出 ,森林的净初级生产力没有明显变化规律且极度不稳定 ,峰值出现在30 a左右 ,相似于世界上其它地区森林动态格局变化 ,生物量格局呈循环状态变化 ,循环周期大致在 110 a左右。     

青弋江流域大型底栖动物群落结构及水质评价

研究河流大型底栖动物群落结构特征及水环境质量对水生态的保护与修复具有重要意义。以青弋江流域为研究对象,于2020年9月进行了大型底栖动物及水体理化因子的调查,采用相对重要性指数、生物多样性指数及Jaccard相似性系数分析了大型底栖动物群落结构特征,运用丰度/生物量比较曲线法及冗余分析法探究了底栖动物群落受到的干扰程度及其主要影响环境因子,最后利用水生态环境质量综合指数对河流水质进行评价。研究结果表明：(1)共采集鉴定大型底栖动物61种,隶属于3门6纲17目,平均丰度为265.9个/m~2,平均生物量41.6 g/m~2。相对重要性指数分析显示,日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponensis)、中国圆田螺(Cipangopaludina chinensis)、羽摇蚊(Chironomus plumosus)及扁蜉(Ecdyrus)为群落中的主要优势种。(2)由群落相似性分析知,Jaccard相似性系数较低,调查点位之间存在较强的空间异质性。(3)冗余分析表明,电导率、氨氮浓度及流速是影响底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子。(4)生物指数分析结果显示该流域水质为轻度污染或中度污...     

Effects of alien pine plantations on small mammal community structure in a southern African biodiversity hotspot

Commercial plantations and alien tree invasions often have substantial negative impacts on local biodiversity. The effect of plantations on faunal communities in the fire‐adapted fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot is not yet well quantified. We studied small mammal community structure in alien Pinus radiata plantations and adjacent fynbos regenerating after clear‐felling of plantations on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. Small mammal sampling over 1,800 trap‐nights resulted in 480 captures of 345 individuals (excluding recaptures) representing six species. Significantly more species, individuals (12 X) and biomasses (29 X) of small mammals occurred on recovering fynbos sites compared to plantations. This was commensurate with a higher diversity of plant growth forms, vegetation densities and live vegetation biomass. Only one small mammal species, the pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides), was consistently trapped within plantations. Fynbos sites were dominated by three small mammal species that are ecological generalists and early successional pioneer species, rendering the recovering fynbos slightly depauperate in terms of species richness and evenness relative to other studies done in pristine fynbos. We make three recommendations for forestry that would facilitate the restoration of more diverse natural plant communities and progressively more diverse and dynamic small mammal assemblages in a key biodiversity hotspot.     

黄河上游玛曲段春季浮游生物群落结构特征

为了了解黄河上游玛曲段的水质状况,于2006年4—5月对黄河玛曲段干流浮游生物的群落组成进行了调查。结果表明：全段的浮游植物共有5门23种（属）,浮游植物密度为3.2×10⁴～54×10⁴ cells·L^-1,平均密度为19.7×10⁴ cells·L^-1,生物量为0.069～0.464 mg·L^-1,平均生物量为0.228 mg·L^-1,其中密度最高的为齐哈玛,生物量最高的为玛曲大桥;浮游动物共有2门10种（属）,密度为670～1273 cells·L^-1,平均为881.56 cells·L^-1,生物量为0.044～0.089 mg·L^-1,平均为0.064 mg·L^-1;该河段浮游生物组成多以冷水性为主;浮游植物多样性指数介于2～3,表明黄河上游玛曲段水质呈轻度污染;浮游生物丰富度与均匀度值均较低,群落结构组成不稳定,易受外界环境的干扰。     

Macroinvertebrate community structure in relation to environmental variables in a Swiss glacial stream

1. Benthic macroinvertebrate distribution was examined in relation to channel characteristics (including stability), substratum, hydraulic variables, primary production (chlorophyll a ) and coarse particular organic matter (CPOM) in an alpine glacial stream, the Mutt (Upper Rhône valley, Switzerland). Co-inertia analysis and canonical correspondence analysis were used to identify the major environmental gradients influencing community variations.
2. The Mutt (length: 3.6 km, altitudinal range: 1800–3099 m a.s.l.) exhibited typical characteristics of a kryal stream. Average summer temperature remained below 2 °C immediately downstream from the snout but was on average 5 °C higher 1700 m downstream. Seasonal variations in water sources were evidenced by the high late-summer (September) contribution of groundwater with increased conductivity.
3. Sixty-six taxa were recorded from the five reaches sampled at three periods (snowmelt, ice melt and low water in late summer) in 1996 and 1997, of which 29 were Chironomidae. Three taxa of Diamesinae were the first colonizers of the stream below the glacier, but 16 taxa, including Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera, were already recorded 200 m downstream. Water depth, channel slope and Pfankuch's Index of channel stability were strongly correlated with the longitudinal faunal gradient. Maximum temperature, current velocity and water conductivity were also correlated, but to a lesser extent.
4. The rapid incorporation of non-chironomid taxa into the stream community represented a departure from Milner & Petts's (1994) conceptual model of invertebrate succession downstream of glacial margins. The results confirmed that glacial stream communities are primarily driven by physical determinants.     

Fish community response to increased river flow in the Kariega Estuary,a freshwater-deprived,permanently open southern African system

The littoral and demersal ichthyofaunal community structure in the freshwater-deprived, permanently open Kariega Estuary was investigated following heavy rain in November 2006 and was compared to low-flow condition data from 1991 and 1996. All surveys took place during the spring months and allowed for a comparison of a wet and a dry spring period. The 2006 freshwater pulse generated a strong horizontal salinity gradient within the estuary. In the absence of freshwater inflow, the ichthyofaunal community in the littoral zone was numerically dominated by estuarine resident species, whilst after the freshwater pulse an increased contribution of marine migrant species was observed. Within the demersal zone, marine straggler species dominated during the dry spring period and estuarine residents during the wet spring period. Numerical analyses of the littoral and demersal fish assemblages indicated the presence of three distinct groupings — corresponding to the upper and middle reaches during separate wet and dry periods, and a community associated with the lower reaches of the estuary. It is suggested that the shift in community structure between the dry and wet spring periods could be related to altered physico-chemical and trophic conditions within the estuary, as well as the increased presence of freshwater and estuarine olfactory cues within the coastal zone, which would have resulted in the recruitment of 0+ estuary-associated marine species into the Kariega system.     

Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the upper reaches of a spate river

The species of Chironomidae (Diptera) encountered in an upland ‘spate’ river are listed. Notes on larval biology are given and the midge fauna compared with that of other kinds of river.     

Primary productivity of the upper reaches of a South African estuary (Swartvlei)

Primary productivity, using the ¹⁴C technique was measured in the expanded lake-like upper reaches of a South African estuary during 1972. Maximal assimilation per unit volume ranged between 5.0 and 13.1 mg C m^?3 h^?1 and areal productivity ranged between 13.1 and 36.9 mg C m^?2 h^?1. For most of the period the euphotic zone (level of 1% of surface light) extended to only 4.5 m. The poor light conditions in the estuary were due to the heavy content of humic material and suspended detrital matter. Light, therefore, was a major factor limiting primary productivity. The PO₄-P concentration reached an undetectable level following a large diatom increase and nutrient limitation may have occurred. The phytoplankton population of the upper reaches of Swartvlei was dominated by nannoplanktonic (< 60 μm) diatoms and dinoflagellates. The ecological advantages that these small organisms might have in an environment such as Swartvlei are discussed.     

Patterns in specific leaf area and the structure of a temperate heath community

Relationships between the distribution and specific leaf area (SLA: leaf area per unit dry mass) of six heath (Ericaceae) species were investigated along an environmental gradient between peat bogs and conifer forest in British Columbia, Canada. I asked whether patterns in SLA could help to identify the processes shaping plant distributional patterns. Specifically, I assessed whether (i) species’ distributions across the environmental gradient are correlated with SLA (ii) relationships between plant distributional patterns and SLA are similar among bogs with different shrub species (iii) intraspecific patterns in SLA parallel interspecific relationships between distributions and SLA, and (iv) intraspecific patterns are environmentally determined. Results showed that distributional patterns were often correlated with SLA; species with lower SLA were more abundant towards the centre of bogs, while species with higher SLA were more abundant in forest. Intraspecific patterns in SLA paralleled distributional patterns across the gradient; individuals located towards the centre of bogs had lower SLA than those growing in forest. A transplantation experiment showed that plants typically altered their SLA according to local environmental conditions. However, one bog showed no relationship between species’ distributions and SLA. This bog lacked the two species with lowest SLA, which typically occurred at the centre of other bogs. In their absence, species with higher SLA that typically occurred in forest increased in abundance towards the centre of the bog, where they obtained lower values of SLA. Therefore, while distributional patterns were often closely associated with SLA, plasticity in SLA was associated with increased breadth of species’ distributions across the gradient. Overall results indicate SLA may serve as a useful proxy for a range of life history traits to help elucidate the processes structuring plant communities.     

岷江上游流域种子植物区系研究

岷江上游流域在地理位置上位于青藏高原、四川盆地两个自然地理区域的过渡地带;其在植被分区上属于泛北极植物区中国—喜马拉雅森林植物亚区横断山脉地区的一部分。区内共有种子植物169科,726属,2162种。其中大科、大属在区系组成中起着非常重要的作用。该区种子植物区系包含有15种分布区类型及其14个变型,其中泛热带分布、北温带分布、旧世界温带分布、东亚分布等成分占有重要地位。其种子植物区系的主要特征为：地理过渡特征明显,区系成分新老并存;区系地理成分复杂,以北温带成分为主;沿海拔梯度植物区系地理成分差异显著。在该区未来的生态建设中,应充分利用其植物区系的基本特征,保护现有物种,并充分利用当地具有特殊抗性的珍贵物种资源和遗传资源。     

拉萨河流域大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

2017年8月对拉萨河流域23个采样点的底栖动物群落和环境因子特征进行了调查,采集到大型底栖动物41属(种),其中水生昆虫35属(种),占85.4%;软体动物2属(种),占4.9%;环节动物3属(种),占7.3%;线形动物1属(种),占2.4%。各点位平均物种数为8种,优势种组成差别较大,优势种主要有四节蜉属(Baetis spp.)、大蚊属(Tipula sp.)、纹石蛾属(Hydopsychesp.)、短石蛾属(Brachycentrus sp.)、水丝蚓属(Limnodrilus sp.)、摇蚊属(Chironomus sp.)等,各采样点底栖动物平均密度为362只/m2。运用生物多样性指数分析底栖动物的群落结构,Marglef丰富度指数、香农威纳指数和均匀度指数平均值分别为1.18、1.32和0.49,生物多样性指数水平较低。采用均匀度指数法和底栖动物BI指数法进行了水质评价,两种评价结果显示分别有30.3%和56.5%的采样点水质为中污染至重污染状态。典范对应分析结果表明:影响拉萨河流域底栖动物群落的主要环境因子是海拔、化学需氧量、硫化物、p H值、总磷和总氮。