Habitat complexity as a determinate of benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in cypress tree reservoirs

Abstract

We analyzed benthic samples (n = 128) collected from four cypress-tree population areas within a large, shallow Arkansas reservoir over a 2-year period to investigate macroinvertebrate community distribution patterns and their relation to physical and chemical parameters. The calculated biomass, abundance and diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community varied significantly both temporally and spatially. Variations of these variables are most likely explained by significant differences in the concentration of carbon and nitrogen in sediments across lake sites, and on a smaller scale, the presence or absence of cypress trees. Benthic macroinvertebrate abundance, biomass, and diversity significantly decreased with distance from tree.

Relationship between space distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates community and trophic state in a Neotropical reservoir (Itupararanga, Brazil)

“…The high density from the group I species is generally correlated to the water eutrophication (Martins et al 2008, Simião-Ferreira et al 2009). Shostell & Williams (2007) analyzed the benthic macroinvertebrates community patterns in relation to the physical and chemical parameters in a shallow eutrophic reservoir (Lake Conway, AR, USA). In this study, spatial and seasonal variations in biomass, diversity and organisms' abundance were observed and the explanation was the proximity to the land environment corroborating with the Itupararanga Reservoir's data when considering the transversal heterogeneity separating communities from littoral and profundal regions as evidenced by CCA analysis.…”

Methods for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates in tropical lentic systems

“…In addition, there were probably few animals present within the 0.25 m 2 quadrat. The rocky site and sand/silt benthos of the vegetated littoral sites may have afforded limited suitable habitat and thus support relatively low densities of fauna (Shostell & Williams 2007). The habitat provided by the coconut samplers was potentially more attractive than the natural environment, perhaps explaining their efficacy.…”

“…The resident biota of aquatic systems indicate the quality of their environments because they are sensitive to the changes or stresses which occur within them (Bis et al 2000, Shostell & Williams 2007. As a tool in ecological monitoring, biomonitoring can reveal both short-term and cumulative effects (Rosenberg & Resh 1993), effectively complementing chemical monitoring procedures that may miss sporadic or unpredictable events (Spellerberg 1991).…”

Influência da heterogeneidade ambiental sobre os atributos da comunidade de Chironomidae em lagoas de inundação neotropicais

“…Os ambientes mais complexos sustentam maior diversidade e riqueza de espécies que os ambientes mais simples (wiLLiaMs, 1964;BeLL et al, 1991;downes et al, 2000;shosteLL & wiLLiaMs, 2007), pois quanto maior a heterogeneidade ambiental, maior é a disponibilidade de nichos e de recursos alimentares (tews et al, 2004; townsend et al, 2006).…”

“…Nesse sentido, a estrutura do ambiente é um importante fator que influencia a distribuição das comunidades (MacaRthuR & MacaRthuR, 1961;downes et al, 2000;toLonen et al, 2001) e determina diferenças na diversidade, onde ambientes fisicamente mais complexos sustentam maior riqueza de espécies que aqueles mais simples (wiLLiaMs, 1963;BeLL et al, 1991;downes et al, 2000;shosteLL & wiLLiaMs, 2007). Essa maior diversidade de espécies em relação à heterogeneidade ambiental está relacionada à maior disponibilidade de nichos e recursos alimentares, possibilitando assim a coexistência de um maior número de espécies em uma mesma área (scognaMiLLo et al, 2003;tews et al, 2004;townsend et al, 2006).…”