Diversity Of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Research Articles

Responses of multi-faceted benthic macroinvertebrates alpha and beta diversity to flooding in a highland floodplain

Flooding is an important process in natural fluvial floodplains. How the flood shapes aquatic community diversity in highland floodplains is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to unravel the multi-faceted responses of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity to flooding and habitat environments in the Baihe River Basin from a taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional perspective. We examined the alpha and beta diversity patterns of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the mainstream, tributaries, and oxbow lakes during the normal water and flood periods. The results showed that the traditional alpha taxonomic diversity (TD) varied across habitats, despite minor changes after flood pulse. Alpha phylogenetic diversity (PD) decreased and alpha functional diversity (FD) markedly increased after flooding, with functional traits transiting toward risk avoidance. While all the three facets of beta diversity significantly responded to habitat differences, beta TD and PD shifted in response to flooding. Species turnover prominently increased in beta TD and PD after flood pulse, which contrasted with a weaker response of this process in FD. The explanatory power of significant environmental factors on both alpha and beta diversity was reduced by flooding. Compared with traditional TD, cooperating multi-faceted diversity could better depict the responses of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to flooding. The assessment and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in highland floodplains should take into account the three facets of alpha and beta diversity.

Using benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic stressors on water quality and sediment properties of a West African lagoon

This study aimed to investigate the impact of anthropogenic stressors (landfilling, navigation for transport of goods, cooling in fossil fuel, urbanization, industrial expansion, agriculture activities, and recreational activities) on environmental variables, microbiological quality, and sediment properties using benthic macroinvertebrates as a bioindicator within Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Four (4) sampling stations were established with respect to their importance/anthropogenic activities within the Lagos Lagoon. Surface water, bottom substrates, and benthic macroinvertebrate fauna samples were collected bimonthly from each sampling station for a year and analyzed using appropriate standard methods and procedures. The highest pH range of 7.96–8.01 (7.98 ± 2.35) was recorded at Site IV, while the lowest range of 6.41–7.01 (6.15 ± 1.14) was observed at Site II, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the pH mean values across the sites. High values of salinity, chloride, sodium, COD, BOD, manganese, nickel, cadmium, and nitrate were recorded among the surface water physicochemical parameters, which were above WHO (2011) permissible limits, while the high concentrations of toxic metals (Pb, Cr, Zn, and Cd) was recorded in sediment. A total of 26 species of benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded during this study, which belongs to eight (8) classes. Gastropoda recorded the highest percentage contribution of 39.12%, followed by polychaeta accounting for 30.34%, while malacostraca contributed 2.63%. The highest abundance of macroinvertebrates was recorded at Site I (256 Indiv/m2), followed by Site IV (252 Indiv/m2), and the least was observed at Site II (195 Indiv/m2). Based on the results of the physico-chemical, heavy metals, microbial quality, and macroinvertebrates assemblage obtained from this study revealed the adverse effect of anthropogenic activities on water quality degradation. It plays a significant role in the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in an aquatic environment.

Comparative approach of the fauna diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in a stream on ferralitic soil and equatorial climate at 2 seasons in Cameroon (Central Africa)

In order to determine the structure of benthic macroinvertebrates fauna in relation with some environmental factors, a study was carried out in the Esoa river at Nkongsamba in the Littoral region of Cameroon from January 2021 to January 2022. Physico-chemical parameters were measured according to APHA and Rodier recommendations, while benthic macroinvertebrates sampling was done out according to the multihabitat approach at a monthly frequency. The physico-chemical analyses revealed very good oxygenation of the water, a tendency of neutrality for the pH (7.79±0.8 UC) and a low and constant temperature (22.61±1.83 °C). The BMI count showed 3732 individuals, including 4 phyla, 6 classes, 14 orders and 69 families and over 80 species. Besides, the class of insects, and in particular the order of Odonata, supplanted the benthic fauna. The Esoa 2 and Esoa 3 stations recorded the highest relative abundance of BMI (37.43% and 36.99% respectively) with a predominance of pollutant taxa, notably the families of Chironomidae, Physidae, Tubificidae and Lumbricidae. On the other hand, the Esoa 1 station, with low relative abundance (25.56%), was more diversified and dominated by polluosensitive taxa, including Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera. The high values of the Sӧrensen similarity index (65.62%) showed a high faunal similarity of the Esoa 2 and Esoa 3 stations. The high values of the Shannon and Weaver diversity index (4.6 bits/ind) indicated a high diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates reflecting the good ecological status of the waters of the Esoa stream.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Stream Habitat Quality and Taxa and Trait Richness and Diversity in Piedmont Streams in North Carolina

As impervious cover increases with urban development, stream channels are degraded by increased stormwater runoff, which negatively impacts stream habitat quality and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity. We examined the relationship between stream habitat diversity and aquatic insect taxa and trait richness and diversity at the watershed scale in 30 streams, covering a gradient of stream habitat quality. We then quantified the relationship between taxa and trait richness and diversity and seven microhabitats at the reach scale in ten streams with high habitat quality. We found that both taxa richness and diversity declined at a greater rate than trait richness and diversity along an in-stream habitat diversity gradient. Taxa richness was positively correlated with pools, runs, backwater, leaf packs, and riffles, while trait richness was positively correlated with runs, small wood, and riffles. Taxa diversity was positively correlated with pools and leaf packs while trait diversity was positively correlated with runs, leaf packs, small wood, and riffles. An indicator species analysis revealed that specific taxa and traits were associated with specific microhabitats or combinations of microhabitats. By correlating the taxa in urban streams with specific microhabitats, we can better evaluate the success of stream restoration in restoring stream function and in stimulating benthic macroinvertebrate recovery.

Human-Induced Impact on the Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish Fauna in the Tropical Ikang River, Nigeria

Abstract South-eastern Nigeria’s tropical water ecosystems typically consist of mangrove swamps and riparian forests, both of which have become endangered in the last six decades. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent of human-induced impact and activities on the effect of water quality on the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna in the Tropical River (Ikang). The river’s surface water, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish fauna were sampled and identified to create a database of reference information. Twelve (12) species of benthic macroinvertebrates from two (2) phyla were identified. Station 1 had the highest benthic macroinvertebrate abundance of 58 (35.65%), while Station 3 had the lowest abundance of 52 (31.70%). Uca tangeri was the most abundant benthic macroinvertebrate with a percentage abundance of 28 (17.07%), while Dinocras sp., Macromia sp., and Gomphus sp. were the least abundant benthic macroinvertebrates with a percentage abundance of 3.66%. In addition, seven (7) fish species from six (6) families were identified. During the study, the family Claroteidae was the most abundant, while the family Carangidae was the least abundant. The temperature of the river had a positive correlation with the families Carangidae and Mugilidae, a negative correlation with the family Clupeidae, and no correlation with the family Claroteidae. Total dissolved solids (TDS) correlated positively with the families Carangidae, Mugilidae, and Clariidae, while conductivity correlated positively only with the family Sciaenidae and negatively with the families Carangidae, Mugilidae and Clariidae. The abundance and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna were generally influenced by the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, the availability of food, and the extent of human impacts and activities. In order to ensure sustainable water quality and biodiversity conservation in our environment, it is necessary to manage the river and the surrounding ecosystem appropriately.

Community structure and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality in some waterfall ecosystems, Bawean Island, Indonesia

Abstract. Retnaningdyah C, Arisoesilaningsih E, Vidayanti V, Purnomo, Febriansyah SC. 2023. Community structure and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality in some waterfall ecosystems, Bawean Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 370-378. Bawean Island is a small island with a fairly dense population, so the need for water resources is quite high. On Bawean Island, several waterfalls have been found that have a hydrological function capable of supplying water continuously for drinking water, raw materials, agricultural irrigation functions and other daily activities that are very important for the people of Bawean Island. However, the quality of the waterfall ecosystem on Bawean Island has never been studied. This study aims to evaluate the water quality of some waterfall ecosystems on Bawean Island using the community structure and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates as a complement to water physicochemical monitoring. This study used the Ex Post Facto method. The research was conducted at 6 waterfalls found on Bawean Island. The physicochemical quality of the water observed included air temperature, water temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), conductivity, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), nitrate, and Total Phosphate (TP). The quality of the benthic macroinvertebrate that had been monitored included Importance Value Index (IVI), taxa richness, total density, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H’), and an ecological index, namely the Family Biotic Index (FBI). The monitoring data then be used to analyze the interaction between water quality profiles and macroinvertebrates profiles by conducting Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Based on the results obtained, the water quality in the Bawean Island waterfall, according to the FBI index categorized as Good-Excellent. According to Indonesian government regulation (PP. No. 22 of 2021), some parameters of water quality in Putri and Suwari waterfall were classified as class 2, which can be used for water tourism infrastructure, fish farming also agriculture and the others are categorized as class 3 which is only used for fish farming and agriculture. To maintain good water quality, the waterfall manager needs to control human activities around the waterfall’s ecosystem.

Effects of trace elements on benthic macroinvertebrate distribution in the sediments of two rivers in the Olifants River Basin, South Africa

Many freshwater ecosystems are facing ecological challenges such as influx of trace elements from human activities, and sediments behave as a sink for trace elements in these environments. Trace element contamination in river sediments is a major environmental concern due to its devastating effect on benthic organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of trace elements in sediments on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Blyde and Mohlapitsi rivers of the Olifants River Basin, South Africa. Sediment samples and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from six sites along each river. The results showed variations in the concentration of the trace elements in the sediment and the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates among the different sites and between the two rivers. Both rivers recorded high taxa richness and sensitive taxa were well represented in most parts of the rivers, an indication that the rivers are not highly disturbed. There were insignificant correlations between most of the trace elements and the abundance of the benthic macroinvertebrates, though some taxa showed significant correlations with the trace elements. Despite the low impact of the trace elements on the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates, ecological health of the rivers and structural distribution of macroinvertebrates may be affected in the future due to increasing human activities in the catchments. It is therefore recommended that effluents from human activities should be controlled to prevent a further degradation of the rivers to protect macroinvertebrates and other aquatic biota.

A Longitudinal Assessment of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity and Water Quality along the Bronx River

The Bronx River is an urban waterway with a long history of anthropogenic disturbance. We conducted a longitudinal assessment of the Bronx River's water quality by measuring benthic macroinvertebrate diversity at 6 sites along the river. We integrated long-term water-quality data collected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. We found that the overall water quality of the river has remained moderately impacted over different timepoints throughout the past 22 years. The study site upstream of combined sewage overflows and municipal separate stormwater systems exhibited healthier biological profiles, whereas the most-downstream sites exhibited slight declines in water quality. The most recent survey of the Bronx River (2020) revealed that high invasive species dominance was associated with benthic macroinvertebrate communities that were less healthy. Notably, one invasive species not documented in historical surveys, Corbicula fluminea (Asian Clam), was sampled in 5 of 6 study sites during the 2020 surveys. Moreover, no species were sampled from the order Ephemeroptera (mayflies) in 2020 despite being present in previous surveys. These results can be used to guide the management of urban rivers.

Impacts of cotton production on the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Alibori and Sota rivers in northern Bénin

Impacts of cotton production on the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Alibori and Sota rivers in northern Bénin

One informs the other: Unionid species at risk and benthic macroinvertebrate community monitoring data are complementary

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities, which include unionid freshwater mussels, enhance the health of river ecosystems. Human impacts have driven declines within freshwater mussel communities and due to their complex life cycles, mussel recovery efforts are complex. In Canada, conservation of imperiled species has focused on biodiversity hotspots such as the Sydenham River in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. In practice, species conservation and habitat monitoring are siloed between federal agencies and local conservation authorities, limiting the potential for alignment of conservation policy and practice. Here we bring together federal, local, and our own survey data to explore patterns of co-occurrences between mussel species and other macroinvertebrate taxa to explore the extent to which knowledge of one benthic community informs the other. Mussel communities (species richness, community composition) differed between sites where imperiled mussel species were present and/or absent. Benthic macroinvertebrate metrics (e.g., family richness, percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa) and specific indicator taxa were correlated with mussel species richness and the presence of imperiled mussel species. We show that benthic macroinvertebrate diversity indicators provided insight into imperiled species occurrences that warrant further investigation. These findings underscore support for coordinated watershed monitoring efforts and could be crucial for more successful freshwater mussel conservation.

Study and Application of Urban Aquatic Ecosystem Health Evaluation Index System in River Network Plain Area

The evaluation index system of urban aquatic ecosystem health is of great significance for the assessment and management of urban river networks, and for urban development planning. In this paper, the concept of urban aquatic ecosystem health was analyzed by the relationship between human, city and aquatic ecosystem, and its evaluation index system was established from environmental conditions, ecological construction, and social service. In addition, the weight value of each index was calculated by the analytic hierarchy process, and the grading standard of each index was set. Jiading New City, a typical city of the river network plain area in Yangtze River delta, was selected as the aquatic ecosystem health evaluation sample. The fuzzy comprehensive method was used to evaluate the aquatic ecosystem health of Jiading New City. The results indicated that the water ecosystem health of Jiading New City reached the "good" level. For the criterion level, environmental conditions and ecological construction reached the "good" level, and social services reached the "excellent" level. For the indicator level, most indicators reached "good" and "excellent" levels, but the river complexity and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity are still in the "poor" state, which indicates that the aquatic environment has greatly improved, but the aquatic ecosystem has not been fully restored. Results suggested that river complexity and biodiversity should be increased in urban construction planning. The evaluation index system established in this paper can be used to reflect the urban aquatic ecosystem health conditions in river network plain areas.

Benthic Macroinvertebrates in fish spawning grounds, diversity and spatial distribution, Buyo lake dam (Côte d'ivoire)

This work focuses on the diversity and spatial distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the ichthyological spawning grounds of Lake Buyo. Sampling took place from June 2018 to May 2019 on 11 spawning grounds using a Van Veen grab, a dip net and a dip net. A total of 19,940 individuals grouped into 28 Families, 13 Orders, 6 Classes and 4 Branches were identified. The most abundant Families with a percentage higher than 20 in the study area are Thiaridae (63.33%) and Chironomidae (22.88%). The Insects class is the most diversified with 17 families followed by Gastropods with 8 families. The values of the Shannon-Weaver indices and the Pielou equitability calculated are low, which reflects a low taxonomic diversity and an imbalance in the spatial distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the different ichthyological spawning grounds.

Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Algerian East Coast

Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Algerian East Coast

Effects of ecological restoration on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates in rural rivers of cold regions: A case study of the Huaide River, Northeast China

Various human activities can damage the structure of rural rivers ecosystems and reduce their self-purification capacity. In Northeast China, the cold climate also poses serious challenges to river restoration. What types of restoration technology should be adopted and what impacts the restoration project will bring, in terms of river ecological function improvements, should be further discussed. To investigate the effects of ecological restoration projects and different restoration measures on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates of rural rivers in cold regions in Northeast China, benthic macroinvertebrates and 10 indicators of water quality including ammonium (NH4+-N), nitrate (NO3–-N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperature (Tem), pH (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and chlorophyll-a (Chla) were monitored. We analyzed the temporal and spatial changes of benthic macroinvertebrates and 6 typical water quality indicators including NH4+-N, NO3–-N, TN, TP, COD and DO, which were collected in 4 seasons at 7 typical river sections. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to evaluate the seasonal and spatial variation of water quality during monitoring period, and a new WQImin model consisting of six crucial parameters, i.e., pH, DO, NH4+-N, TN, TP and COD, was established by principal component analysis. The results showed that the ecological restoration project enhanced the self-purification capacity of the river, and increased diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates. The maximum removal rates of the main pollution indicators NH4+-N, NO3–-N, TN, TP and COD were 96.49 %, 43.92 %, 49.69 %, 8.3 % and 25.95 %, respectively. The maximum increase rates of DO and benthic macroinvertebrates diversity were 77.96 % and 310.9 %, respectively. The operation effect of the restoration project had an obvious seasonal effect, with the best effect during the spring and summer. The project still has good repair effect in winter. In terms of water purification, the effect of the overflow weir combined with aquatic organisms was better than that of the single overflow weir in the river channel. There was the best effect of the engineering measures in summer. The ecological restoration project can improve the river water quality and the benthic macroinvertebrates conditions. Compared to before the restoration, WQImin values increased 168.81 % and 44.21 % in winter and summer, respectively, and Shannon index increased 6.57 % and 41.67 % in summer and autumn, respectively.

Effects of grazing on taxonomic and functional diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates of six tributary streams of the eastern shore of Lake Hövsgöl, Mongolia

ABSTRACT Overgrazing is one of the major land-use impacts in Mongolia leading to habitat degradation and subsequent impairment of biological diversity. This study examined macroinvertebrate diversity among sites with different grazing intensities in Hövsgöl, Mongolia, to test whether the taxonomic and functional structure of the macroinvertebrate community differs among streams with different grazing intensity. The 14 551 total identified specimens comprised 78 genera in 27 macroinvertebrate families from the 6 study streams. Exponential Shannon index and weighted functional diversity were significantly higher in low grazing sites than in moderate and high grazing sites; no significant difference was found between moderate to high grazing intensity. Macroinvertebrate community composition was not significantly different between low and moderate or low and high grazing intensity sites. SIMPER analysis revealed the taxon with the highest contribution to dissimilarity among the levels of grazing. Thirteen trait categories from 8 traits differed significantly between sites with varying grazing pressure. The community-weighted means for 4 of these traits were filtered by high grazing intensity: dissemination, resistant form, current velocity, and saprobity. Although the other 4 traits differed significantly, they did not respond directly to grazing intensity. Further knowledge of traits, especially regarding physiological capabilities, is needed to better understand macroinvertebrate/environment relationships, but overall, these findings suggest that macroinvertebrate diversity components were affected by grazing.

Benthic Macro Invertabrate Diversity of Tropical River Kolar, from Nagpur, (M.S.), India

In the present investigation river Kolar, District Nagpur, Maharashtra state was studied with reference to benthic macroinvertebrates diversity, as these are the ecological indicators of aquatic habitats. The study was conducted on monthly basis for a period of two years from February 2010 to January 2012 on four sampling sites of river Kolar and statistical analysis of the analytical data was computed in this paper. The most abundant benthic macroinvertebrates in the present investigation were Molluscs belongs to order Gastropoda and Pelecypoda, while Arthopods and Annelids were moderate and Nematodes were few in number. In the present investigation low species richness and low abundance of macrozoobenthic observed where water body shows moderate human intervention.

Responses of multiple facets of macroinvertebrate alpha diversity to eutrophication in floodplain lakes

The accelerated eutrophication of freshwater lakes has become an environmental problem worldwide. Increasing numbers of studies highlight the need to incorporate functional and phylogenetic information of species into bioassessment programms, but it is still poorly understood how eutrophication affects multiple diversity facets of freshwater communities. Here, we assessed the responses of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates to water eutrophication in 33 lakes in the Yangtze River floodplain in China. Our results showed that macroinvertebrate assemblage structure was significantly different among four lake groups (river-connected, macrophyte-dominated, macrophyte-algae transition, and algae-dominated). Three taxonomic, two phylogenetic and two functional diversity indices were significantly different among the lake groups. Except for the increasing trend of Lambda+, these metrics showed a clear decreasing trend with increasing levels of eutrophication, with highest values detected in river-connected and macrophyte-dominated lakes, followed by macrophyte-algae transition lakes and algal-dominated lakes. Although differing in the number and identity of key environmental and spatial variables among the explanatory models of different diversity indices, environmental factors (eutrophication-related water quality variables) played more important role than spatial factors in structuring all three facets of alpha diversity. The predominant role of environmental filtering can be attributed to the strong eutrophication gradient across the studied lakes. Among the three diversity facets, functional diversity indices performed best in portraying anthropogenic disturbances, with variations in these indices being solely explained by environmental factors. Spatial factors were mostly weak or negligible in accounting for the variation in functional diversity indices, implying that trait-based indices are robust in portraying anthropogenic eutrophication in floodplain lakes. However, variation in some taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity indices were also affected by spatial factors, indicating that conservation practitioners and environmental managers should use these metrics with caution when providing solutions for addressing eutrophication in floodplain lakes.

The Impact of Pollution on Diversity and Density of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Mountain and Upland Rivers

This article summarizes the studies concerning the impact of pollutants on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the mountain and upland rivers of southern Poland. The Carpathian Raba River, which in the 1960s retained its natural character and had good water quality, was considered as a reference in terms of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. The other two analyzed rivers were polluted to different degrees. The Carpathian Dunajec River was contaminated mainly by sewage from small towns and treatment plant, while the upland Vistula River mainly by sewage from the Upper Silesian Industrial Region and saline waters from coal mines. In studied ecosystems in response to pollutions, a rapid increase in density of fauna caused mainly by the massive development of Oligochaeta was found. In the mountain river, the impact of contamination on macroinvertebrate diversity was negligible. There, taxa considered as indicators of clean water (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) were abundant and their diversity was similar to that of an uncontaminated river. In the heavily polluted upland Vistula River, the sites with a muddy bottom were dominated by Oligochaeta (99.4–99.9%), while at sites with stony bottoms, apart from Oligochaeta, there were also Chironomidae, Gastropoda, and Hirudinea. In comparison to the 1950s, all Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Odonata, Trichoptera, and Megaloptera were extinct.

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity as Affected by the Construction of Inland Waterways along Montane Stretches of Two Rivers in China

Building inland waterways affects the natural structure, formation, and extent of the riverbed and riparian zone. It alters the hydrology and sediment deposition conditions and hence damages the aquatic ecosystem. To address the effects of the construction of inland waterways on the riverine biome, benthic macroinvertebrate communities were compared at different building stages of inland waterways along a gradient of shipping traffic density at two montane rivers in China. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities ranged from 0.4 to 1.6; the lowest value was recorded in the completed inland waterway, while the highest value was recorded in the unaffected stretch. Principal component analysis and canonical correlation analysis showed the communities in the inland waterways to be distinct from those in the natural riparian habitats. Our results suggest that benthic macroinvertebrate communities can reflect the damage done by the hydromorphological modifications caused by building inland waterways. Benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance should therefore be included when assessing the impact of building and operating inland waterways.

The Impacts of the Freezing–Thawing Process on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Riffles and Pools: A Case Study of China’s Glacier-Fed Stream

Glacier-fed streams are one of the environments most sensitive to global climate change. However, the effects of the freezing–thawing process on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in different habitats of glacier-fed streams are unclear. In this paper, we investigated benthic macroinvertebrates in riffles and pools of a glacier-fed stream in Xinjiang, China, during the pre-freezing period (November, 2018), freezing period (January 2019), and thawing period (April, 2019). Our results showed that the freezing–thawing process resulted in a decline in benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and diversity, both of which were attributed to the effects of the freezing–thawing process on habitat stability, water quality, and cycling of the stream ecosystems. During the whole freezing–thawing process, the indicator taxa of riffles were Rhithrogena sp. and Baetis sp., while the only indicator taxon of pools was Chironomus sp. The species richness, Margalef diversity, and EPT richness (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) of benthic macroinvertebrates in riffles were higher than those in pools, due to the higher habitat heterogeneity in the riffles. However, the density in riffles was significantly lower than that in pools during the freezing period (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, pools were dominated by taxa with higher resilience and resistance traits, such as “bi- or multi-voltine”, “abundant occurrence in drift”, and “small size at maturity”. This result indicated that pools provide a temporary refuge for benthic macroinvertebrates in the extreme environment of glacier-fed streams. The freezing–thawing process plays an essential role in the formation of the structure and function of the stream ecosystem. Our results can help us to further understand the winter ecological process of headwater streams, and provide a reference for stream biodiversity conservation in cold regions.