Macroinvertebrate production estimates in the Kanawha River, West Virginia

Abstract

We calculated secondary production estimates for 13 macroinvertebrate taxa from a site in the sixth-order Kanawha River, a system regulated by locks and dams. Production was calculated by the size-frequency method for Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeroptera), Tricorythodes sp. (Ephemeroptera), Stenacron interpunctatum (Ephemeroptera), Argia translata (Odonata), Strophopteryx fasciata (Plecoptera), Cheumatopsyche sp. (Trichoptera), Cyrnellus fraternus (Trichoptera), and the Chironomidae (Diptera) tribes Tanytarsini, Chironomini, Orthocladini, Pentaneurini, Procladiini, and Corynoneurini. Total annual production and total annual biomass estimates based on benthic large-cobble basket samplers were higher than those based on multiplate samplers and gravel basket samplers in the water column, but these differences were not significant. Estimates of annual production and annual biomass of H. limbata and Procladiini were highest for the large-cobble basket samplers. Annual production and annual biomass of A. translata were highest for the gravel basket samplers. Annual production and annual biomass of the remaining 10 taxa were highest for the multiplate samplers. Average annual P/B ratios were 4.7 for the seven univoltine taxa and 11.5 for the one bivoltine species studied.