Macroinvertebrate species and assemblages in the headwater streams of the River Tyne, northern England in relation to land cover and other environmental variables

Abstract

The macroinvertebrate species and assemblages of headwater streams of the River Tyne catchment in northern England were classified and their relationship with environmental variables based on stream structure, water acidity, distance from source and land cover investigated using constrained ordination and logistic regression. Fuzzy classification of data from 322 stream sites generated five assemblages. Stream structure, quantified as an exposure index, was found to be the most important environmental variable, with water acidity also important. Distance from source and land cover had less influence on species and assemblage distribution. A considerable amount of variation in assemblage distribution was explained using a two-variable logistic regression with stream structure (exposure index) and water acidity (pH) in a template. Site structure and water acidity appeared to be related to drift, geology and topography with little anthropogenic influence. The applicability of the habitat template concept for explaining the distribution of stream macroinvertebrates is discussed.

Distribution and Composition of Macroinvertebrates Functional Feeding Groups With Reference to Catchment Area In Barna Sub-Basin of Narmada River Basin

“…The distribution and abundance of macrozoobenthic fauna during the present research work was found primarily associated with aquatic processes and with the land use pattern of Barna sub-basin which confirms the fact that the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrates is associated with the land use type within the watershed. These findings were supported by the similar conclusions drawn by many workers (Allan and Johnson, 1997;Eyre et al, 2005;Weijters et al, 2009;Hepp et al, 2010;Mishra et al, 2011). Thus, it can be concluded by the obtained results that the macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups are beneficial in assessing catchment scale processes affecting the water bodies.…”

The impact of dredging of a small lowland river on water beetle fauna (Coleoptera)

“…While a number of studies have dealt with the Coleoptera fauna inhabiting various types of river ecosystems (Kordylas, 1990;Richoux, 1994;Kowalik and Buczyński, 2003;Biesiadka and Pakulnicka, 2004;Eyre et al, 2005;Pakulnicka and Zawal, 2007), there has been little research focused on the formation of beetle assemblages and their habitat preferences depending on selected characteristics of lotic environments. Significant environmental factors influencing the formation of Coleoptera fauna in watercourses include the type of bottom sediment, vegetation coverage and type, flow, water depth, pH, and even the amount of suspended solids and conductivity, which reflects how the catchment is utilized (Eyre et al, 1993Sanderson et al, 2005;Miserendino and Archangelsky, 2006;Pakulnicka and Nowakowski, 2012;Sarr et al, 2013).…”

Spatial and seasonal variation of peatland-fed riverine macroinvertebrate and benthic diatom assemblages and implications for assessment: a case study from Ireland

“…Despite having impaired assemblages (Eyre et al, 2005;Feeley et al, 2011), there is still capacity for spatial and seasonal trends in afforested peatland streams. Associations between diatom species previously reported in the literature have been identified by this study, and mesocosm experiments which can control some variability may be necessary to disentangle some of the variables (Kelly, 2013).…”

“…Peatland stream water pH can range from acidic to moderately alkaline depending on catchment geology (Miller et al, 2001;O'Driscoll et al, 2012). There is a general conception that peatland streams (Eyre et al, 2005;Ramchunder et al, 2011) accommodate impoverished macroinvertebrate assemblages and forested peatland streams are somewhat impaired (Feeley et al, 2011).…”