Discontinuities in the distribution of invertebrates in impounded south island rivers, New Zealand

Abstract

AbstractThe invertebrate fauna of 10 river systems, five with impoundments and five without, were sampled. No significant difference was found either in taxonomic richness or invertebrate densities between impounded and unimpounded sites at similar positions along river continua. However, plecopteran species richness was significantly lower and plecopteran density reduced in post‐impoundment sites. Densities of Deleatidium spp. (Ephemeroptera: Leptephlebiidae) were significantly lower at lake outlets compared with other sites. Two species of Zelandobius (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) and Eriopterini (Diptera: Tipulidae) snowed distributions apparently curtailed by impoundments, whereas Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Mollusca: Hydrobiidae) had an extended distribution. Margalef's, Menhinick's, Berger‐Parker and Shannon indices, total taxa present and plecopteran taxa were plotted against stream order, stream width and distance from the source. Menhinick's and Shannon‐Weaver indices produced statistically significant but weak regressions, and discontinuity distances and intensity could not be accurately calculated. The usefulness of diversity indices as a measure of the magnitude of impoundment effects in the South Island seems to be limited.