Debris dams as habitat for aquatic invertebrates in forested headwater streams: a large-scale field experiment
Brenda R. Baillie A B E , Brendan J. Hicks B , Ian D. Hogg B C , Michael R. van den Heuvel D and Mark O. Kimberley A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua, New Zealand.
B School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3015, Hamilton, New Zealand.
C Polar Knowledge Canada, 1 Uvajuq Road, Cambridge Bay, NU, X0B 0C0, Canada.
D Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A 4P3, Canada
E Corresponding author. Email: brenda.baillie@scionresearch.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(5) 734-744 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18216
Submitted: 5 June 2018 Accepted: 1 November 2018 Published: 15 January 2019
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of debris dams on aquatic invertebrate communities, we sampled benthic invertebrates in debris dams and riffles in three forested headwater streams in New Zealand. As part of a large-scale field experiment, debris dams were subsequently removed from three treatment sections in each of the streams to assess effects on invertebrate communities. Prior to debris dam removal, total invertebrate densities in debris dams were not significantly different from those in riffles. However, densities of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera taxa were significantly higher in debris dams than in riffles. Debris dams contained a higher number of less common taxa (defined as <1% of total catch) and significantly higher densities of shredders. Densities for Coleoptera, Diptera and Trichoptera taxa were significantly higher in the autumn than in the spring. Non-metric multidimensional scaling axis scores indicated that both habitat and season had a significant effect on aquatic invertebrate community composition. At the reach scale, the effects of debris dam removal on the aquatic invertebrate communities were not statistically detectable because debris dams comprised only a small proportion of total habitat. However, these data highlight the importance of debris dams in contributing to the diversity of aquatic invertebrates in forested headwater streams.
Additional keywords: New Zealand, riffles, season.
References
Anderson, N. H. (1982). A survey of aquatic insects associated with wood debris in New Zealand streams. Mauri Ora 10, 21–33.Angermeier, P. L., and Karr, J. R. (1984). Relationships between woody debris and fish habitat in a small warmwater stream. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113, 716–726.
| Relationships between woody debris and fish habitat in a small warmwater stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baillie, B. R. (2011). The physical and biological function of wood in New Zealand’s forested stream ecosystems. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Baillie, B. R., Hicks, B. J., van den Heuvel, M. R., Kimberley, M. O., and Hogg, I. D. (2013). The effects of wood on stream habitat and native fish assemblages in New Zealand. Ecology Freshwater Fish 22, 553–566.
| The effects of wood on stream habitat and native fish assemblages in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Benke, A. C., and Wallace, J. B. (2003). Influence of wood on invertebrate communities in streams and rivers. In ‘The Ecology and Management of Wood in World Rivers’, 23–27 October 2000, Corvallis, OR, USA. (Eds S. V. Gregory, K. L. Boyer, and A. M. Gurnell.) Symposium 37, pp. 149–177. (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD, USA.)
Benke, A. C., Henry, R. L., Gillespie, D. M., and Hunter, R. J. (1985). Importance of snag habitat for animal production in southeastern streams. Fisheries 10, 8–13.
| Importance of snag habitat for animal production in southeastern streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beschta, R. L. (1979). Debris removal and its effect on sedimentation in an Oregon Coast Range stream. Northwest Science 53, 71–77.
Bilby, R. E. (2003). Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of wood in streams and rivers. In ‘The Ecology and Management of Wood in World Rivers’, 23–27 October 2000, Corvallis, OR, USA. (Eds S. V. Gregory, K. L. Boyer, and A. M. Gurnell.) Symposium 37, pp. 135–147. (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD, USA.)
Bilby, R. E., and Heffner, J. T. (2016). Factors influencing litter delivery to streams. Forest Ecology and Management 369, 29–37.
| Factors influencing litter delivery to streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bilby, R. E., and Likens, G. E. (1980). Importance of organic debris dams in the structure and function of stream ecosystems. Ecology 61, 1107–1113.
| Importance of organic debris dams in the structure and function of stream ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boothroyd, I. (2000). Biogeography and biodiversity. In ‘New Zealand Stream Invertebrates: Ecology and Implications for Management’. (Eds K. J. Collier and M. J. Winterbourn.) pp. 30–52. (New Zealand Limnological Society: Christchurch, New Zealand.)
Chapman, M. A., and Lewis, M. H. (1976). ‘An Introduction to the Freshwater Crustacea of New Zealand.’ (Collins: Auckland, New Zealand.)
Collier, K. J., and Halliday, J. N. (2000). Macroinvertebrate-wood associations during decay of plantation pine in New Zealand pumice-bed streams: stable habitat or trophic subsidy? Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19, 94–111.
| Macroinvertebrate-wood associations during decay of plantation pine in New Zealand pumice-bed streams: stable habitat or trophic subsidy?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Collier, K. J., Smith, B. J., and Halliday, N. J. (2004). Colonization and use of pine wood versus native wood in New Zealand plantation forest streams: implications for riparian management. Aquatic Conservation 14, 179–199.
| Colonization and use of pine wood versus native wood in New Zealand plantation forest streams: implications for riparian management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cummins, K. W. (1974). Structure and function of stream ecosystems. Bioscience 24, 631–641.
| Structure and function of stream ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cushing, C. E., Cummins, K. W., and Minshall, G. W. (Eds) (2006). ‘River and Stream Ecosystems of the World: With a New Introduction.’ (University of California Press: Oakland, CA, USA.)
Díez, J. R., Larranaga, S., Elosegi, A., and Pozo, J. (2000). Effect of removal of wood on streambed stability and retention of organic matter. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19, 621–632.
| Effect of removal of wood on streambed stability and retention of organic matter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dolloff, C. A., and Warren, M. L. (2003). Fish relationships with large wood in small streams. In ‘The Ecology and Management of Wood in World Rivers’, 23–27 October 2000, Corvallis, OR, USA. (Eds S. V. Gregory, K. L. Boyer, and A. M. Gurnell.) Symposium 37, pp. 179–193. (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD, USA.)
Dolloff, C. A., and Webster, J. R. (2000) Particulate organic contributions from forests and streams: debris isn’t so bad. In ‘Riparian Management in Forests of the Continental Eastern United States’. (Eds E. S. Verry, J. W. Hornbeck, and C. A. Dolloff.) pp. 125–138. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA.)
Elosegi, A., Basaguren, A., and Pozo, J. (2002). Ecology of the Agüera: a review of fourteen years of research in a Basque stream. Munibe. Ciencias Naturales 53, 15–38.
Friberg, N., and Larsen, S. E. (1998). Microhabitat selection by stream invertebrates: importance of detritus aggregations. Verhandlungen der internationalen Vereinigung fur theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 26, 1016–1020.
Gordon, N. D., McMahon, T. A., and Finlayson, B. L. (1992). ‘Stream Hydrology: An Introduction for Ecologists.’ (Wiley: Chichester, UK.)
Hawkins, C. P., Kershner, J. L., Bisson, P. A., Bryant, M. D., Decker, L. M., Gregory, S. V., McCullough, D. A., Overton, C. K., Reeves, G. H., Steedman, R. J., and Young, M. K. (1993). A hierarchical approach to classifying stream habitat features. Fisheries 18, 3–12.
| A hierarchical approach to classifying stream habitat features.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hicks, B. J., and Laboyrie, L. J. (1999). Preliminary estimates of mass-loss rates, changes in stable isotope composition, and invertebrate colonisation of evergreen and deciduous leaves in a Waikato, New Zealand, stream. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 33, 221–232.
| Preliminary estimates of mass-loss rates, changes in stable isotope composition, and invertebrate colonisation of evergreen and deciduous leaves in a Waikato, New Zealand, stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hoffmann, A., and Hering, D. (2000). Wood-associated macroinvertebrate fauna in central European streams. International Review of Hydrobiology 85, 25–48.
| Wood-associated macroinvertebrate fauna in central European streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, J. B. J. (1997). Benthic organic matter storage in streams: influence of detrital import and export, retention mechanisms, and climate. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 16, 109–119.
| Benthic organic matter storage in streams: influence of detrital import and export, retention mechanisms, and climate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kaushik, N. K., and Hynes, H. B. N. (1971). The fate of the dead leaves that fall into streams. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 68, 465–515.
Linklater, W. (1995). Breakdown and detritivore colonisation of leaves in three New Zealand streams. Hydrobiologia 306, 241–250.
| Breakdown and detritivore colonisation of leaves in three New Zealand streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCune, B., and Grace, J. B. (2002). ‘Analysis of Ecological Communities.’ (MjM Software Design: Gleneden Beach, OR, USA.)
McDade, M. H., Swanson, F. J., McKee, W. A., Franklin, J. F., and Van Sickle, J. (1990). Source distances for coarse woody debris entering small streams in western Oregon and Washington. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 20, 326–330.
| Source distances for coarse woody debris entering small streams in western Oregon and Washington.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McLellan, I. D. (1997). Austroperla cyrene Newman (Plecoptera: Austroperlidae). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 27, 271–278.
| Austroperla cyrene Newman (Plecoptera: Austroperlidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moore, S. (2010). ‘Images of New Zealand freshwater invertebrates. A Visual Guide to Assist with the Identification of Pond and Stream Life.’ (CD-ROM) (Landcare Research: Lincoln, New Zealand.)
Parkyn, S. M., and Winterbourn, M. J. (1997). Leaf breakdown and colonisation by invertebrates in a headwater stream: comparisons of native and introduced tree species. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 31, 301–312.
| Leaf breakdown and colonisation by invertebrates in a headwater stream: comparisons of native and introduced tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Quinn, J. M., Smith, B. J., Burrell, G. P., and Parkyn, S. M. (2000). Leaf litter characteristics affect colonisation by stream invertebrates and growth of Olinga feredayi (Trichoptera: Conoesucidae). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 34, 273–287.
| Leaf litter characteristics affect colonisation by stream invertebrates and growth of Olinga feredayi (Trichoptera: Conoesucidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Richardson, J. S., and Danehy, R. J. (2007). A synthesis of the ecology of headwater streams and their riparian zones in temperate forests. Forest Science 53, 131–147.
Scarsbrook, M. (2000). Life-histories. In ‘New Zealand Stream Invertebrates: Ecology and Implications for Management’. (Eds K. J. Collier and M. J. Winterbourn.) pp. 76–99. (New Zealand Limnological Society: Christchurch, New Zealand.)
Smock, L. A., Metzler, G. M., and Gladden, J. E. (1989). Role of debris dams in the structure and functioning of low-gradient headwater streams. Ecology 70, 764–775.
| Role of debris dams in the structure and functioning of low-gradient headwater streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stark, J. D., and Maxted, J. R. (2007). A biotic index for New Zealand’s soft-bottomed streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 41, 43–61.
| A biotic index for New Zealand’s soft-bottomed streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stewart-Oaten, A., Murdoch, W. W., and Parker, K. R. (1986). Environmental impact assessment: ‘Pseudoreplication’ in time? Ecology 67, 929–940.
| Environmental impact assessment: ‘Pseudoreplication’ in time?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Straka, M., Syrovátka, V., and Helešic, J. (2012). Temporal and spatial macroinvertebrate variance compared: crucial role of CPOM in a headwater stream. Hydrobiologia 686, 119–134.
| Temporal and spatial macroinvertebrate variance compared: crucial role of CPOM in a headwater stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sweeney, B. W., and Newbold, J. D. (2014). Streamside forest buffer width needed to protect stream water quality, habitat, and organisms: a literature review. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 50, 560–584.
| Streamside forest buffer width needed to protect stream water quality, habitat, and organisms: a literature review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson, R. M., and Townsend, C. R. (2000). New Zealand’s stream invertebrate communities: an international perspective. In ‘New Zealand’s Stream Invertebrates: Ecology and Implication for Management’. (Eds K. J. Collier and M. J. Winterbourn.) pp. 53–74. (New Zealand Limnological Society: Christchurch, New Zealand.)
Wallace, J. B., Eggert, S. L., Meyer, J. L., and Webster, J. R. (1997). Multiple trophic levels of a forest stream linked to terrestrial litter inputs. Science 277, 102–104.
| Multiple trophic levels of a forest stream linked to terrestrial litter inputs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Warren, D. R., and Kraft, C. E. (2006). Invertebrate community and stream substrate responses to woody debris removal from an ice storm-impacted stream system, NY USA. Hydrobiologia 568, 477–488.
| Invertebrate community and stream substrate responses to woody debris removal from an ice storm-impacted stream system, NY USA.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weigelhofer, G., and Waringer, J. A. (1999). Woody debris accumulations – important ecological components in a low order forest stream (Weidlingbach, lower Austria). International Review of Hydrobiology 84, 427–437.
Winterbourn, M. J. (1973). A guide to the freshwater Mollusca of New Zealand. Tuatara 20, 141–159.
Winterbourn, M. J. (1978). The macroinvertebrate fauna of a New Zealand forest stream. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 5, 157–169.
| The macroinvertebrate fauna of a New Zealand forest stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winterbourn, M. J. (2006). Rivers and streams of New Zealand. In ‘River and Stream Ecosystems’. (Eds C. E. Cushing, K. W. Cummins, and G. W. Minshall.) pp. 695–716. (Elsevier Press: New York, NY, USA.)
Winterbourn, M. J., and Rounick, J. S. (1985). Benthic faunas and food resources of insects in small New Zealand streams subjected to different forestry practices. Verhandlungen der internationalen Vereinigung fur theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 22, 2148–2152.
Winterbourn, M. J., Rounick, J. S., and Cowie, B. (1981). Are New Zealand stream ecosystems really different? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 15, 321–328.
| Are New Zealand stream ecosystems really different?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winterbourn, M. J., Gregson, K. L. D., and Dolphin, C. H. (2006). ‘Guide to the Aquatic Insects of New Zealand’, 4th edn. Bulletin of the Entomological Society of New Zealand, Vol. 14. (Entomological Society of New Zealand: Auckland, New Zealand.)
Wondzell, S. M., and Bisson, P. A. (2003). Influence of wood on aquatic biodiversity. In ‘The Ecology and Management of Wood in World Rivers’, 23–27 October 2000, Corvallis, OR, USA. (Eds S. V. Gregory, K. L. Boyer, and A. M. Gurnell.) Symposium 37, pp. 249–263. (American Fisheries Society; Bethesda, MD, USA.)
