Abstract
Macroinvertebrates are sensitive to changes in the river environment and ecological status. Ecological variables over multi-spatial scales and macroinvertebrate community data were collected in June (normal flow season) and September (high flow season) of 2017 in the Weihe River Basin (WRB). A total of 14,377 individuals were identified, which were classified into 7 classes, 18 orders and 59 families. Macroinvertebrate community composition, density, biomass, the values of Pielou evenness index (E), Simpson diversity index (λ) were significantly different between normal flow season and high flow season. The dominant species (Tubificidae, Chironomidae and Baetidae) were the same in both seasons. The highest richness, abundance, density and biomass occurred at a stream bed depth of 0–10 cm. The results of canonical correspondence analyses (CCA) showed that ecological factors explained the major variation in macroinvertebrate community composition. Specifically, the increased nitrogen concentrations favored tolerant species, whereas high velocity and dissolved oxygen (DO) benefitted community taxa richness and biodiversity. The reduction of taxa richness, abundance, density and biomass in high flow season was related to the summer flood. Increased nutrient concentrations and macroinvertebrate habitat damage contributed to more tolerant, yet less diverse stream macroinvertebrate assemblages.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.