The Seasonal Succession of Macroinvertebrates, in Particular the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), in the River Rhine and Two Neighbouring Gravel-Pit Lakes Monitored Using Artificial Substrates

Abstract

Artificial substrate samplers were used to study the seasonal succession of macroinvertebrates in the River Rhine and two neighbouring gravel-pit lakes. In two experimental series nearly all epilithic macroinvertebrates normally found at each site settled on the artificial substrates. The analysis of the results showed that the use of artificial substrates is an adequate tool for studying (1) different aspects of the life cycles of species which frequently settle on the plates (e.g. Bryozoa, Corophium curvispinum), (2) seasonal successions of macroinvertebrate communities, and (3) aspects of competition and support within a macroinvertebrate community. The total biomass of macroinvertebrates, in particular the growth of juvenile Dreissena polymorpha, accurately reflected the productivity of the different waters, with highest values for the lake connected to the river, somewhat lower ones for the Rhine, and very low production values for the isolated lake. In other words, a few easily-made measurements of the productivity of primary consumers may be very useful for biological monitoring studies of the floodplains of rivers.