Spatial and temporal variability of trophic relationships among aquatic macroinvertebrates in a seasonal marsh

Szalay, Ferenc A. de; Resh, Vincent H.

doi:10.1007/bf03161335

Cited by 28 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Larvae and adults of those taxa consuming different types of food during their life cycle were considered separately, and those taxa feeding on more than one food source were allocated in relation to their dominant type of food source (see de Szalay & Resh, 1996). The taxa were discarded when no information on their feeding ecology was available.…”

Section: Metric Selection and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Among-habitat and Temporal Variability of Selected Macroinvertebrate Based Metrics in a Mediterranean Shallow Lake (NW Spain)

2006

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According to the European Water Framework Directive, waterbodies have to be classified on the basis of their ecological status using biological quality elements, such as macroinvertebrates. This needs to take into consideration the influence of natural variation (both spatial and temporal) of reference biological communities as this may obscure the effects caused by anthropogenic disturbance. We studied the influence of among-habitat and temporal (seasonal and interannual) changes on the macroinvertebrate communities of an Iberian shallow lake and the variability of 21 measures potentially useful for bioindication purposes. Two series of data were examined: (a) macroinvertebrate samples taken on four occasions over an annual cycle were used to assess the effects of seasonality and among-habitat variability; (b) macroinvertebrate samples collected in three consecutive summers were used to assess interannual variability. Coefficients of variation, expressed as percentage, were used to quantify the effect of among-habitat and temporal variability on the selected metrics. According to our results, % Insecta, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and the qualitative taxonomic metrics (measures based on number of taxa) were robust in terms of temporal (seasonal and interannual) and among-habitat variability. Abundance ratio and some metrics based on functional feeding groups were highly variable. Therefore, qualitative taxonomic metrics may be promising tools in biomonitoring programs of Mediterranean shallow lakes due to their comparatively low variability.

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Section: Metric Selection and Data Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Among-habitat and Temporal Variability of Selected Macroinvertebrate Based Metrics in a Mediterranean Shallow Lake (NW Spain)

2006

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“…Aquatic vegetation influences life-history dynamics of aquatic macroinvertebrates by affecting colonization (de Szalay & Resh, 2000), distribution (Beckett et al, 1992;Waters & San Giovanni, 2002), predation (Crowder & Cooper, 1982;Schramm & Jirka, 1989b;Batzer & Resh, 1991;Zimmer et al, 2000), food availability (Nelson et al, 1990;Campeau et al, 1994;Kornijow et al, 1995), and trophic relationships (de Szalay & Resh, 1996). As aquatic macrophytes vary spatially and temporally, the aquatic macroinvertebrate species that inhabit these vegetative environments may likewise vary (Schramm et al, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential influence of a monotypic and diverse native aquatic plant bed on a macroinvertebrate assemblage; an experimental implication of exotic plant induced habitat

2007

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Aquatic plants mediate ecological processes in aquatic habitats, specifically predator-prey (bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque)-macroinvertebrate) interactions. Macroinvertebrate colonization is directly and indirectly influenced by substrate heterogeneity, interstitial space, and surface complexity. Exotic invasive plant species, such as Hydrilla verticillata L.F. Royle, may alter the available structure in aquatic habitat by creating a shift to a homogeneous habitat, thus affecting the macroinvertebrate community. Since macroinvertebrates provide a food base for young phytophilic fishes, changes in their density and abundance may alter food webs. We investigated the hypothesis that macroinvertebrate community structure is influenced by differences in habitat heterogeneity by measuring difference between a heterogeneous native aquatic plant bed, homogenous hydrilla plant bed, and habitat with no plants. Studies were conducted in the field (pond) and the experimental treatments were: (1) no plants, (2) monotypic bed of hydrilla, and (3) diverse native plants. Aquatic plants, regardless of species, supported greater macroinvertebrate abundance, richness, and biomass. Macroinvertebrate abundance, richness, and biomass in a hydrilla-dominated habitat did not differ significantly from a diverse plant habitat, except for richness in October. Indicator taxa did differ significantly between respective treatments, suggesting a change in species composition. However, no significant effect of fish predation on macroinvertebrate populations and/or community structure was documented. The data suggest that a shift from a natural mosaic of vegetated habitat to a highly complex monotypic habitat (e.g., exotic hydrilla) may reduce spatial heterogeneity important to structuring a macroinvertebrate assemblage.

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“…Initial diVerences in community composition can inXuence community succession and determine the outcomes of disturbance (de Szalay and Resh 1996), intraguild predation (Price and Morin 2004), and competitive interactions (Underwood and Anderson 1994;Nandakumar 1996) on the resulting assemblages. This experiment was motivated by observations of macrophyte beds in the Macquarie River, a slow-Xowing, lowland river in Tasmania, Australia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat structural complexity mediates food web dynamics in a freshwater macrophyte community

2006

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A considerable amount of research has investigated the influence of habitat structure on predator success, yet few studies have explored the implications for community structure and food-web dynamics. The relative importance of macrophyte structure and fish predation on the composition of the macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities in a lowland river was investigated using a multifactorial caging experiment. We hypothesised that: (1) fish predators are less effective in a more structurally complex macrophyte analogue; (2) strong direct and indirect effects of fish predators (e.g. trophic cascades) are less likely to occur in a structurally complex habitat; and (3) the strength of these patterns is influenced by the composition of the prevailing community assemblage. We measured the abundance and composition of the macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities associated with three different-shaped macrophyte analogues, under different fish predator treatments and at different times. Macrophyte analogue architecture had strong, consistent effects on both the macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities; both were most abundant and diverse on the most structurally complex plant analogue. In contrast, the fish predators affected only a subset of the macroinvertebrate community and there was a suggestion of minor indirect effects on periphyton community composition. Contrary to expectations, the fish predators had their strongest effects in the most structurally complex macrophyte analogue. We conclude that in this system, macrophyte shape strongly regulates the associated freshwater assemblage, resulting in a diverse community structure less likely to exhibit strong effects of fish predation.

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Spatial and temporal variability of trophic relationships among aquatic macroinvertebrates in a seasonal marsh

Cited by 28 publications

References 35 publications

Among-habitat and Temporal Variability of Selected Macroinvertebrate Based Metrics in a Mediterranean Shallow Lake (NW Spain)

Among-habitat and Temporal Variability of Selected Macroinvertebrate Based Metrics in a Mediterranean Shallow Lake (NW Spain)

Differential influence of a monotypic and diverse native aquatic plant bed on a macroinvertebrate assemblage; an experimental implication of exotic plant induced habitat

Habitat structural complexity mediates food web dynamics in a freshwater macrophyte community

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