Characterizing In-stream Flow Refugia

Abstract

Flow in nine streams was examined in relation to refugia for invertebrates. Areas of bed maintaining low hydraulic stress throughout the discharge hydrograph could provide flow refugia for animals during spates. In one stream, near-bed shear stress and velocity were repeatedly measured in discrete patches. Three types were identified: "fast" patches maintained high hydraulic stress, "variable" patches showed the greatest change in stress, and "slow" patches maintained low stress and thus were potential refugia. Average stress increased with discharge, but potential refugia were prominent throughout and could be important for invertebrates. Abundances of refugia in eight comparison streams were characterized by changes in the frequency distribution of flow forces with discharge. Three stream types were identified that did not simply reflect channel size or morphology. Such stream-specific flow patterns could affect the structure of comunities through the differing provision of refugia. Longitudinal transport processes in these streams were investigated by solute dilution experiments and by the application of a model to measure an aggregated "dead zone". Transport (and dead zone volume) varied among streams and further reflected their refuge potential. Clearly, flow habitat features could intervene in population and community dynamics by providing refuge from spates.