Colonization and ecological development of new streams in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Abstract

SUMMARY 1. Colonization and ecological development of postglacial freshwater communities was investigated in Glacier Bay National Park, south‐eastern Alaska, following the rapid recession of a Neo‐glacial ice sheet within the last 250 years.2. Environmental variables shown to be most significant in stream development were temperature, flow regime and sedimentation.3. The Chironomidae (Diptera) were the pioneer invertebrate colonizers of newly emergent streams arising as meltwater from receding ice sheets and displayed a distinct pattern of succession with stream maturity.4. Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera colonized warmer clearwater streams, but Trichoptera had a minimal role in invertebrate community development.5. Establishment and production of salmonid fish populations in the new streams related principally to stream flow and sediment characteristics.6. Future pathways along which the streams may develop is probably dependent on the degree of large organic debris input.7. Stream development, structure and function are summarized including reference to theories of ecosystem development, ecological succession and community stability.