SREL Reprint #2484

Macroinvertebrate recovery of a post-thermal stream:   habitat structure and biotic function

Michelle B. Laklya, J. Vaun McArthurb

aInstitute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
bSavannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29801, USA

Received 19 March 1999: received in revised form 20 May 1999; accepted 15 September 1999

 

Abstract 

Macroinvertebrate faunal assemblages, organic matter availability and instream structural complexity were investigated in three systems to determine the current state of recovery of a post-thermal stream.  The abundance and diversity of the lower foodchain community has recovered substantially since cessation of thermal flows in 1988; however, the biotic communities remain structurally and functionally distinct as a result of past thermal perturbation.   Disparate instream habitat structural components and stream physical changes in the post-thermal and reference systems drive functional differences in the macroinvertebrate community.  The post-thermal stream is physically and biologically structured by high densities of aquatic macrophytes, while the reference system is driven by high concentrations of coarse woody debris.  Consequently, the abundant, diverse macroinvertebrate communities in both systems illustrate a post-thermal shift in energy source from a reliance on allochthonous to autochthonous inputs.   Biotic indices such as taxa richness, a family level index and similarity index may not be sufficient to determine functional changes as a result of thermal impacts.  However, the distribution of diverse functional feeding groups across streams was successful at characterizing divergence in resource utilization and processing.  This distinction between macroinvertebrates' abundance and diversity, and their function in the ecosystem is essential in establishing relevant mitigation plans and endpoints for stream restoration.

Keywords: Invertebrate; Stream; Recovery; Thermal effluent; Macrophyte; Snag, Functional feeding group; Family biotic index, Taxa richness

SREL Reprint #2484

Lakly, M. B., and J V. McArthur. 2000. Macroinvertebrate recovery of a post-thermal stream:  habitat  structure and biotic function. Ecological Engineering 15:S87-S100.

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