Habitat Heterogeneity and Aquatic Invertebrate Diversity in Floodplain Forests

Harper, David M.; Mekotova, Jarka; Hulme, Sarah; White, Jonathan; Hall, Jacky

doi:10.2307/2997741

Cited by 38 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In addition, the relationship is observed at a hierarchical spatial scale, which exhibits distinct hydromorphological habitat and biotic characteristics. At large scales, the correlation is exemplified by the presence of dynamic floodplains, where morphological diversity in floodplains significantly increases biodiversity in river corridors (Johnston & Naiman, 1987;Pringle et al, 1988;Harper et al, 1997). Gray et al (2006) also reported an increase in invertebrate diversity due to the presence of braided channels, spring-sources, spring creeks, or connectivity to groundwater zones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The functional linkage between habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity has been observed in several types of ecosystems, including terrestrial (Galley et al, 2009Jannsen et al, 2009, marine (Yanezarancibia et al, 1988;Hull et al, 2001), and freshwater environments (Harper et al, 1997;Williams et al, 2005). In addition, the relationship is observed at a hierarchical spatial scale, which exhibits distinct hydromorphological habitat and biotic characteristics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Complex hydromorphology of meanders can support benthic invertebrate diversity in rivers

2011

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In freshwater environments, high biodiversity is commonly associated with habitat heterogeneity. River bends and meanders are particularly complex morphodynamic elements of watercourses. However, the specific spatio-temporal interactions between hydromorphology and the resident biota have scarcely been studied. This article reviews the relationships between hydraulic processes, and morphological units that are typical for meanders, and analyzes the concomitant spatial and temporal dynamics of habitats suitable for aquatic invertebrates. Flow in river bends is characterized by significant crossstream velocities, which modify primary flow patterns, and create helical flow trajectories. Consequently, boundary shear stresses at the river-bed are altered, so that complex erosion, transport, and accumulation processes characteristically shape bed and bank morphology. The diversity of substrate types and complex bathymetry in meanders provide a large variety of habitat conditions for benthic invertebrates within a relatively small spatial domain, which are connected via hydraulic pathways. Periodic reversal of hydromorphological processes between low and high flow, and seasonal growth of aquatic macrophytes creates spatio-temporal dynamics at the meso-and microhabitat scales. Such habitat dynamics increases benthic invertebrate diversity to the extent it is consistent with spatio-temporal scales of invertebrate mobility and life cycle. Furthermore, the presence of flow refugia, and hydraulic dead zones in meanders is essential to sustain species richness. This study concludes that meanders are highly complex morphodynamic elements that exhibit several self-regulating principles supporting invertebrate diversity and resilience in fluvial ecosystems.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Complex hydromorphology of meanders can support benthic invertebrate diversity in rivers

2011

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“…boulders, gravel, emergent plants, woody debris, etc. in Harper et al, 1997). To use the informational complexity terms we defined earlier, the parameter being modified by Cardinale et al (2002) was "relative abundance/evenness", while Harper et al (1997) altered the "number of component types".…”

Section: Restoration Of Habitat Complexity For Enhancing Stream Biodimentioning

confidence: 99%

Creating complex habitats for restoration and reconciliation

Loke

Ladle

Bouma

et al. 2015

Ecological Engineering

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“…Scrapers and shredders, sprawlers+ climbers and swimmers+divers, and members Wiggins Group 4 predominated on the macrophyte beds. All these differences among mesohabitats can be explained by the higher habitat stability and heterogeneity of the macrophyte substrate compared with both littoral and central sediments (Schramm and Jirka, 1989;Harper et al, 1997). The vegetated substrate provides a more three-dimensional physical mesohabitat and shows a greater structural complexity, which reduces predation (Crowder and Cooper, 1982;Diehl and Kornijo`w, 1998) and increases the available surface area especially for mobile taxa, such Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera.…”

Section: Differences Among Mesohabitatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional characteristics of macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean ponds (Central Italy): Influence of water permanence and mesohabitat type

Bazzanti

Bella

Grezzi

2009

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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-The macroinvertebrate fauna of twenty-one ponds (thirteen temporary and eight permanent) located in four protected areas in Central Italy were studied in March, May and June 2002, with the aim to bring out relationships between environmental variables and the functional characteristics (functional feeding groups, habits and resistance to drought) of communities. Macroinvertebrates were collected in three mesohabitat types (macrophyte beds, littoral sediments, central sediments). Overall, the functional attributes of temporary and permanent pond communities did not differ greatly. However, at the mesohabitat scale, collector-gatherers, burrowers and permanent residents capable of passive dispersal were more abundant in sediments. Scrapers and shredders, sprawlers and climbers, swimmers and divers, and organisms capable of active dispersal which lack drought resistance were more abundant in macrophyte beds. Although hydroperiod is the main driving factor affecting community structure, our results suggest that it remains an unimportant factor in controlling functional traits, which appeared to be more influenced by substratum types. Moreover, the positive relationship between taxonomic and functional diversity metrics indicates that an increase in taxonomic richness induces a satisfactory partitioning of the ecological resources among taxa, thus maintaining the ecological complexity of the ponds regardless of their hydroperiod length.

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Habitat Heterogeneity and Aquatic Invertebrate Diversity in Floodplain Forests

Cited by 38 publications

References 11 publications

Complex hydromorphology of meanders can support benthic invertebrate diversity in rivers

Complex hydromorphology of meanders can support benthic invertebrate diversity in rivers

Creating complex habitats for restoration and reconciliation

Functional characteristics of macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean ponds (Central Italy): Influence of water permanence and mesohabitat type

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