Spatial and temporal patterns of benthic invertebrate communities in an intermittent river (North Africa)

Arab, Abdeslem; Lek, Sovan; Lounaci, Abdelkader; Park, Y. S.

doi:10.1051/limn/2004029

Cited by 62 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In Oued Cherraa it seems to occur later than in many temporary streams. For instance, Arab et al (2004) mention the absence of flow from May to November in the nearby West-Algerian Oued Chelif. This suggests a great stock of water in the Beni-Snassen mountains and/or in the Zegzel-Cherraa aquifer, a stock that may be long to drain and slow to refill.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Zegzel-Cherraa, a partly-temporary river system, Eastern Morocco

Mâamri

Pattée

Dolédec

et al. 2005

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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Perennial Oued Zegzel and temporary Oued Cherraa are parts of the same watercourse. Coinertia analysis showed the clear distinction between these two parts and the close relationship of the faunal assemblages with the characteristics of the water. The headwater course of the Zegzel is covered with dense terrestrial vegetation whose debris were consumed by abundant shredders dominated by the prosobranch Melanopsis praemorsa. The lower course of the Zegzel has sparse riparian vegetation and much fine detritus, and collectors such as Ecdyonurus rothschildi, Caenis luctuosa, the Diptera Corynoneurinae and Tanytarsini, occurred. In contrast, dry, flowing-, and standing-water periods succeed each other in the Cherraa and terrestrial vegetation often grows in its bed. M. praemorsa was replaced by the air-breathing pulmonate Physa acuta, accompanied by the adults and larvae of flying insects. However many shredders did not develop on the abundant plant litter. The short length of the submersion period was probably responsible for this lack of efficiency in the exploitation of such a non-limiting food resource.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Zegzel-Cherraa, a partly-temporary river system, Eastern Morocco

Mâamri

Pattée

Dolédec

et al. 2005

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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“…Nevertheless, some studies on benthic communities have been carried out recently (e.g. Lounaci et al, 2000b;Arab et al, 2004;Belaidi et al, 2004;Zrelli et al, 2011;Touaylia et al, 2011). New data show certain peculiar features of Northern African lotic ecosystems: wadis are strongly influenced by the unique Mediterranean climate (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and distribution of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) of protected areas in North Tunisia

Boulaaba

Zrelli

Płóciennik

et al. 2014

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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“…Mediterranean rivers are characterized by the irregularity of flow and harsh hydrological fluctuations (Arab et al 2004). Extreme seasonal variation of the flow regimes often causes a marked pattern of zero or low flow and the reduction of the water surface into isolated pools along the river when the flow ceases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have provided insight knowledge into the structure or traits of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Mediterranean temporary rivers (Bazzanti et al 1989;Coimbra et al 1996;Bonada 2003;Arab et al 2004;Morais et al 2004;Bêche et al 2006) or others throughout the world (Williams and Hynes 1976;Boulton andLake 1992a, 1992b;Meyer et al 2003). However, there is a lack of information on the ecological functioning of Mediterranean fluvial ecosystems, especially on the effects of floods, droughts, and flow variability on the structure of the communities (Bernardo and Alves 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do intermittent and ephemeral Mediterranean rivers belong to the same river type?

Argyroudi

Chatzinikolaou

Poirazidis³

et al. 2008

Aquat Ecol

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The benthic macroinvertebrate communities and ecological quality of eleven temporary rivers (seven intermittent and four ephemeral) in Dadia National Park, north-eastern Greece, were examined with respect to the degree of flow temporality. Sampling took place during the high flow season at both ephemeral and intermittent sites and during the low flow season only at the intermittent ones, which receded to pools. Despite the remarkable seasonal variation in both the hydrology and ecology of the intermittent rivers, the various metrics and indices as well as the multivariate analyses confirmed the clear distinction between the two river types (ephemeral and intermittent). Existing European quality indices do not sufficiently differentiate between ephemeral and intermittent river types, and thus cannot reliably discriminate the degree of natural variability from human induced stressors in temporary rivers.

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Spatial and temporal patterns of benthic invertebrate communities in an intermittent river (North Africa)

Cited by 62 publications

References 63 publications

The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Zegzel-Cherraa, a partly-temporary river system, Eastern Morocco

The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Zegzel-Cherraa, a partly-temporary river system, Eastern Morocco

Diversity and distribution of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) of protected areas in North Tunisia

Do intermittent and ephemeral Mediterranean rivers belong to the same river type?

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