Stream community structure in relation to spatial variation: the influence of mesohabitat characteristics |
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Authors: | Beisel Jean-Nicolas Usseglio-Polatera Philippe Thomas Sandra Moreteau Jean-Claude |
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Institution: | (1) 1UPRES E.B.S.E., Université de Metz, UFR Sciences, Ile du Saulcy, 57045 Metz Cedex 01, France |
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Abstract: | Community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was studied in six first- through fourth-order streams in northeast France,
to elucidate changes in richness, abundance, diversity and evenness of mesohabitat assemblages as a function of environmental
conditions. Patch samples were subjected to multivariate analyses to determine: (i) relationships among seven indices describing
community structure (structure parameters); (ii) relationships among seven environmental variables; (iii) the relationship
between community structure and environmental characteristics of patches. Faunal data showed that indices measuring the distribution
of individuals among taxa (evenness, dominance) and richness are prominent in describing the structure of macroinvertebrate
communities of mesohabitats. The analysis of environmental data demonstrated a major differentiating ability of current velocity
and strong inter-relations among in-stream hydraulic-dependent parameters in structuring the mesohabitat environment. The
co-structure (= relationship) between community organization and environmental variables indicated that substrate may be a
primary determinant of community structure. Current velocity and water depth emerged as secondary factors. Trends in community
structure were closely related to the spatial variability of mesohabitats. Species richness increased with habitat heterogeneity.
Total abundance increased with trophic potentialities of patches. Equitability and diversity seemed to increase with patch
stability.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | macroinvertebrates mesohabitat scale community structure habitat characteristics multivariate analysis |
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