Macroinvertebrate abundance, water chemistry, and wetland characteristics affect use of wetlands by avian species in Maine

Longcore, Jerry R.; McAuley, Daniel G.; Pendelton, Grey W.; Bennatti, Carolyn Reid; Mingo, Terry M.; Stromborg, Kenneth L.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5556-0_12

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Otherwise, acid‐tolerant taxa [Coleoptera (Foster, 1995; Arnott & Jackson, 2006), Chaoborus (Yan et al. , 1985), Notonectidae (Bendell & McNicol, 1987), Corixidae (Bendell & McNicol, 1987; Werner & McPeek, 1994; Longcore et al. , 2006), Odonata (Bell, 1971; Hudson & Berrill, 1986), Aeshna (Bendell & McNicol, 1995), L. glacialis (Bendell & McNicol, 1995), Cordulia shurtleffi (Bendell & McNicol, 1995)] were widespread and abundant in both fishless lake types, and two acid‐tolerant taxa ( Gyrinus spp., Neocorixa spp.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroinvertebrates as indicators of fish absence in naturally fishless lakes

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1.Little is known about native communities in naturally fishless lakes in eastern North America, a region where fish stocking has led to a decline in these habitats. 2. Our study objectives were to: (i) characterise and compare macroinvertebrate communities in fishless lakes found in two biophysical regions of Maine (U.S.A.): kettle lakes in the eastern lowlands and foothills and headwater lakes in the central and western mountains; (ii) identify unique attributes of fishless lake macroinvertebrate communities compared to lakes with fish and (iii) develop a method to efficiently identify fishless lakes when thorough fish surveys are not possible. 3. We quantified macroinvertebrate community structure in the two physiographic fishless lake types (n = 8 kettle lakes; n = 8 headwater lakes) with submerged light traps and sweep nets. We also compared fishless lake macroinvertebrate communities to those in fish-containing lakes (n = 18) of similar size, location and maximum depth. We used nonmetric multidimensional scaling to assess differences in community structure and t-tests for taxon-specific comparisons between lakes. 4. Few differences in macroinvertebrate communities between the two physiographic fishless lake types were apparent. Fishless and fish-containing lakes had numerous differences in macroinvertebrate community structure, abundance, taxonomic composition and species richness. Fish presence or absence was a stronger determinant of community structure in our study than differences in physical conditions relating to lake origin and physiography. 5. Communities in fishless lakes were more speciose and abundant than in fish-containing lakes, especially taxa that are large, active and free-swimming. Families differing in abundance and taxonomic composition included Notonectidae, Corixidae, Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae, Aeshnidae, Libellulidae and Chaoboridae. 6. We identified six taxa unique to fishless lakes that are robust indicators of fish absence: Graphoderus liberus, Hesperocorixa spp., Dineutus spp., Chaoborus americanus, Notonecta insulata and Callicorixa spp. These taxa are collected most effectively with submerged light traps. 7. Naturally fishless lakes warrant conservation, because they provide habitat for a unique suite of organisms that thrive in the absence of fish predation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Macroinvertebrates as indicators of fish absence in naturally fishless lakes

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Beaver impoundments contain an abundant aquatic assemblage including a diverse range of macroinvertebrates that are an excellent food source for ducks (Longcore et al. , Cooke & Zack , Nummi & Holopainen ). Furthermore, an increased abundance and diversity of fish and amphibians within beaver impoundments provides food for species such as herons (Ardeidae) and kingfishers (Alcedines; Beard , Elmeros et al.…”

Section: Review Of the Impacts Of Beavers On Biodiversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The impacts of beaversCastorspp. on biodiversity and the ecological basis for their reintroduction to Scotland,UK

Stringer

Gaywood

2016

Mammal Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1.In Scotland, UK, beavers became extinct about 400 years ago. Currently, two wild populations are present in Scotland on a trial basis, and the case for their full reintroduction is currently being considered by Scottish ministers. Beavers are widely considered 'ecosystem engineers' . Indeed, beavers have large impacts on the environment, fundamentally change ecosystems, and create unusual habitats, often considered unique. In this review, we investigate the mechanisms by which beavers act as ecosystem engineers, and then discuss the possible impacts of beavers on the biodiversity of Scotland. 2.A meta-analysis of published studies on beavers' interactions with biodiversity was conducted, and the balance of positive and negative interactions with plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals recorded. 3. The meta-analysis showed that, overall, beavers have an overwhelmingly positive influence on biodiversity. Beavers' ability to modify the environment means that they fundamentally increase habitat heterogeneity. As beavers are central-place foragers that feed only in close proximity to watercourses, their herbivory is unevenly spread in the landscape. In addition, beaver ponds and their associated unique successional stages increase habitat heterogeneity both spatially and temporally. Beavers also influence the ecosystems through the creation of a variety of features such as dams and lodges, important habitat features such as standing dead wood (after inundation), an increase in woody debris, and a graded edge between terrestrial and aquatic habitats that is rich in structural complexity. 4. In Scotland, a widespread positive influence on biodiversity is expected, if beavers are widely reintroduced. For instance, beaver activity should provide important habitat for the otter Lutra lutra, great crested newt Triturus cristatus and water vole Arvicola amphibious, all species of conservation importance. 5. Beavers are most likely to have detrimental impacts on certain woodland habitats and species of conservation importance, such as the Atlantic hazelwood climax community and aspen Populus tremula woodland. A lack of woodland regeneration caused by high deer abundance could lead to habitat degradation or loss. These are also of particular importance due to the variety of associated dependent species of conservation interest, such as lichen communities in Atlantic hazelwoods.

show abstract

“…Also, water depth affects available food resources because it limits access by some avian species (Baker 1979;Poysa 1983a). Water depth can also influence invertebrate populations, which provide an important food source for waterfowl (Murkin and Kadlec 1986;Cox et al 1998) and for several species of marsh birds, including Sora, Virginia Rail and Pied-billed Grebe (Horak 1970;Krull 1970;Rundle and Sayre 1983;Muller and Storer 1999;Longcore et al 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Water Depth, Cover and Food Resources on Habitat use of Marsh Birds and Waterfowl in Boreal Wetlands of Manitoba, Canada

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To evaluate water-level manipulations as a management tool in boreal wetlands, marsh bird and waterfowl habitat use were studied in the Saskatchewan River Delta, Manitoba, Canada, during 2008 and 2009. Call-response and aerial surveys were used to estimate densities of marsh birds and waterfowl, respectively, within six wetland basins undergoing two different water-level treatments. Generalized linear models were used to determine relationships between presence and densities of birds to water depth, vegetation characteristics, and relative forage fish and invertebrate abundances at two spatial scales. American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) and Piedbilled Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) densities were positively influenced by water depth and relative fish abundance. American Coots (Fulica americana) and diver waterfowl (Aythya, Bucephala) also responded positively to increased water depth, whereas dabbler waterfowl (Anas, Aix) were negatively influenced by increasing water depth. Densities of Sora (Porzana carolina) and Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) were positively correlated with the relative abundances of invertebrates, but negatively correlated with relative fish abundance. Due to the high avian biodiversity in the region, managers should focus on providing a variety of wetland habitats. Using a combination of partial waterlevel drawdowns and high water, habitat for numerous avian species can be created simultaneously within wetland complexes.

show abstract

Macroinvertebrate abundance, water chemistry, and wetland characteristics affect use of wetlands by avian species in Maine

Cited by 12 publications

References 57 publications

Macroinvertebrates as indicators of fish absence in naturally fishless lakes

Macroinvertebrates as indicators of fish absence in naturally fishless lakes

The impacts of beaversCastorspp. on biodiversity and the ecological basis for their reintroduction to Scotland,UK

Effects of Water Depth, Cover and Food Resources on Habitat use of Marsh Birds and Waterfowl in Boreal Wetlands of Manitoba, Canada

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About