The effects of altered flow and bed sediment on macroinvertebrates in stream mesocosms
Ivor Growns A C , John F. Murphy B and J. Iwan Jones B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: grownsi@yahoo.com.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(3) 496-505 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15160
Submitted: 21 April 2015 Accepted: 29 February 2016 Published: 25 May 2016
Abstract
River regulation and altered land use are common anthropogenic disturbances resulting in ecological impacts through siltation or altered hydrology. We tested the separate and combined effects of increased flow and fine particles (colmation) on macroinvertebrates in flume mesocosms. We hypothesised that increased flow would reduce any effects of colmation. We tested two bed types, namely clean and colmated sediment where fines were 10% by weight. Two flow rates were initially established, namely a turbulent flow in six mesocosms and a lower rate to create a transitional flow between turbulent and laminar flows in the remaining six mesocosms. After 30 days, macroinvertebrates were sampled and the flow in three turbulent-flow mesocosms and three transitional-flow mesocosms switched to the lower and higher flow rates respectively, thus creating four flow scenarios. The experiment was concluded after sampling macroinvertebrates again at Day 70. We demonstrated that colmation and decreased flows individually result in decreased density and richness of macroinvertebrates and altered assemblage and trait structure. However, our hypothesis that higher flows would ameliorate any effects of fines was not supported. Further research is required to evaluate whether lower thresholds of colmation have ecological impacts and determine the velocities required to ameliorate those impacts.
Additional keywords: benthos, colmation, flume mesocosms, river regulation, sedimentation.
References
Anderson, M. J. (2001). Permutation tests for univariate or multivariate analysis of variance and regression. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58, 626–639.| Permutation tests for univariate or multivariate analysis of variance and regression.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Araújo, E. S., Marques, E. E., Freitas, I. S., Neuberger, A. L., Fernandes, R., and Pelicice, F. M. (2013). Changes in distance decay relationships after river regulation: similarity among fish assemblages in a large Amazonian river. Ecology Freshwater Fish 22, 543–552.
| Changes in distance decay relationships after river regulation: similarity among fish assemblages in a large Amazonian river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Armitage, P. D. (1995). Faunal community change in response to flow manipulation. In ‘Ecological Basis for River Management’. (Eds D. Harper and A. Ferguson.) pp. 59–78. (Wiley: Chichester, UK.)
Bass, J. A. B. (1998). ‘Last-instar Larvae and Pupae of the Simuliidae of Britain and Ireland: a Key with Brief Ecological Notes.’ (Freshwater Biological Association: Ambleside, UK.)
Biggs, B. J. F., Nikora, V. I., and Snelder, T. H. (2005). Linking scales of flow variability to lotic ecosystem structure and function. River Research and Applications 21, 283–298.
| Linking scales of flow variability to lotic ecosystem structure and function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boulton, A. J., Scarsbrook, M. R., Quinn, J. M., and Burrell, G. P. (1997). Land-use effects on the hyporheic ecology of five small streams near Hamilton, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 31, 609–622.
| Land-use effects on the hyporheic ecology of five small streams near Hamilton, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhsVGktb8%3D&md5=d95f2653506e931a28112d64ee12cda6CAS |
Boulton, A., Harvey, M., and Proctor, H. (2004). Of spates and species: responses by interstitial water mites to simulated spates in a subtropical Australian river. Experimental & Applied Acarology 34, 149–169.
| Of spates and species: responses by interstitial water mites to simulated spates in a subtropical Australian river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooks, A. J., Haeusler, T., Reinfelds, I., and Williams, S. (2005). Hydraulic microhabitats and the distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in riffles. Freshwater Biology 50, 331–344.
| Hydraulic microhabitats and the distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in riffles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brooks, A. J., Russell, M., Bevitt, R., and Dasey, M. (2011). Constraints on the recovery of invertebrate assemblages in a regulated snowmelt river during a tributary-sourced environmental flow regime. Marine and Freshwater Research 62, 1407–1420.
| Constraints on the recovery of invertebrate assemblages in a regulated snowmelt river during a tributary-sourced environmental flow regime.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brunke, M. (1999). Colmation and depth filtration within streambeds: retention of particles in hyporheic interstices. International Review of Hydrobiology 84, 99–117.
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXivVKlsLs%3D&md5=a0fad23c17130089d180e9048c645638CAS |
Bryce, S. A., Lomnicky, G. A., and Kaufmann, P. R. (2010). Protecting sediment-sensitive aquatic species in mountain streams through the application of biologically based streambed sediment criteria. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 29, 657–672.
| Protecting sediment-sensitive aquatic species in mountain streams through the application of biologically based streambed sediment criteria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Buendia, C., Gibbins, C. N., Vericat, D., and Batalla, R. J. (2014). Effects of flow and fine sediment dynamics on the turnover of stream invertebrate assemblages. Ecohydrology 7, 1105–1123.
Bunn, S. E., and Arthington, A. H. (2002). Basic principles and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes for aquatic biodiversity. Environmental Management 30, 492–507.
| Basic principles and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes for aquatic biodiversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12481916PubMed |
Carlisle, D. M., Wolock, D. M., and Meador, M. R. (2011). Alteration of streamflow magnitudes and potential ecological consequences: a multiregional assessment. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 9, 264–270.
| Alteration of streamflow magnitudes and potential ecological consequences: a multiregional assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chevenet, F., Doleadec, S., and Chessel, D. (1994). A fuzzy coding approach for the analysis of long-term ecological data. Freshwater Biology 31, 295–309.
| A fuzzy coding approach for the analysis of long-term ecological data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ciborowski, J. J. H., Pointing, P. J., and Corkum, L. D. (1977). The effect of current velocity and sediment on the drift of the mayfly Ephemerella subvaria Mcdunnough. Freshwater Biology 7, 567–572.
| The effect of current velocity and sediment on the drift of the mayfly Ephemerella subvaria Mcdunnough.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Collins, A., and Anthony, S. (2008). Predicting sediment inputs to aquatic ecosystems across England and Wales under current environmental conditions. Applied Geography (Sevenoaks, England) 28, 281–294.
| Predicting sediment inputs to aquatic ecosystems across England and Wales under current environmental conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Corkum, L. D., Pointing, P. J., and Ciborowski, J. J. H. (1977). The influence of current velocity and substrate on the distribution and drift of two species of mayflies (Ephemeroptera). Canadian Journal of Zoology 55, 1970–1977.
| The influence of current velocity and substrate on the distribution and drift of two species of mayflies (Ephemeroptera).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cortez, D. P., Growns, I. O., Mitrovic, S. M., and Lim, R. P. (2012). Effects of a gradient in river regulation on the longitudinal trends in water quality and benthic algal and macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Hunter River, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 63, 494–504.
| Effects of a gradient in river regulation on the longitudinal trends in water quality and benthic algal and macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Hunter River, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XovVGlsro%3D&md5=eb2f841158f8147bbfb0f3776fefb8e7CAS |
Descloux, S., Datry, T., and Usseglio-Polatera, P. (2014). Trait-based structure of invertebrates along a gradient of sediment colmation: benthos versus hyporheos responses. The Science of the Total Environment 466–467, 265–276.
| Trait-based structure of invertebrates along a gradient of sediment colmation: benthos versus hyporheos responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23911840PubMed |
Dewson, Z. S., James, A. B. W., and Death, R. G. (2007). A review of the consequences of decreased flow for instream habitat and macroinvertebrates. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 26, 401–415.
| A review of the consequences of decreased flow for instream habitat and macroinvertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dunbar, M. J., Pedersen, M. L., Cadman, D., Extence, C., Waddingham, J., Chadd, R., and Larsen, S. E. (2010). River discharge and local‐scale physical habitat influence macroinvertebrate LIFE scores. Freshwater Biology 55, 226–242.
| River discharge and local‐scale physical habitat influence macroinvertebrate LIFE scores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ellis, M. M. (1936). Erosion silt as a factor in aquatic environments. Ecology 17, 29–42.
| Erosion silt as a factor in aquatic environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Extence, C. A., Balbi, D. M., and Chadd, R. P. (1999). River flow indexing using British benthic macroinvertebrates: a framework for setting hydroecological objectives. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 15, 545–574.
| River flow indexing using British benthic macroinvertebrates: a framework for setting hydroecological objectives.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Extence, C. A., Chadd, R. P., England, J., Dunbar, M. J., Wood, P. J., and Taylor, E. D. (2013). The assessment of fine sediment accumulation in rivers using macroinvertebrate community response. River Research and Applications 29, 17–55.
| The assessment of fine sediment accumulation in rivers using macroinvertebrate community response.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Findlay, S., and Sinsabaugh, R. L. (1999). Unravelling the sources and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter in lotic aquatic ecosystems. Marine and Freshwater Research 50, 781–790.
| Unravelling the sources and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter in lotic aquatic ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXks1ymtA%3D%3D&md5=800a65e4469b5e237c017bcb0a081e9eCAS |
Gibson, R. J. (2002). The effects of fluvial processes and habitat heterogeneity on distribution, growth and densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), with consequences on abundance of the adult fish. Ecology Freshwater Fish 11, 207–222.
| The effects of fluvial processes and habitat heterogeneity on distribution, growth and densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), with consequences on abundance of the adult fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gjerløv, C., Hildrew, A. G., and Iwan Jones, J. (2003). Mobility of stream invertebrates in relation to disturbance and refugia: a test of habitat templet theory. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 22, 207–223.
| Mobility of stream invertebrates in relation to disturbance and refugia: a test of habitat templet theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Growns, I., Chessman, B., Mitrovic, S., and Westhorpe, D. (2014). The effects of dams on longitudinal variation in river food webs. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 29, 69–83.
| The effects of dams on longitudinal variation in river food webs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsVKksbbP&md5=2b5f9d69f0cd540b51f6e8548ca2c5f5CAS |
Harris, R. M. L. (2006). The effect of experimental drought disturbance on macroinvertebrate assemblages in stream mesocosms. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Hart, D. D., Biggs, B. J. F., Nikora, V. I., and Flinders, C. A. (2013). Flow effects on periphyton patches and their ecological consequences in a New Zealand river. Freshwater Biology 58, 1588–1602.
| Flow effects on periphyton patches and their ecological consequences in a New Zealand river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, J. I., Murphy, J. F., Collins, A. L., Sear, D. A., Naden, P. S., and Armitage, P. D. (2012). The impact of fine sediment on macro-invertebrates. River Research and Applications 28, 1055–1071.
| The impact of fine sediment on macro-invertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, I., Growns, I., Arnold, A., McCall, S., and Bowes, M. (2015). The effects of increased flow and fine sediment on hyporheic invertebrates and nutrients in stream mesocosms. Freshwater Biology 60, 813–826.
| The effects of increased flow and fine sediment on hyporheic invertebrates and nutrients in stream mesocosms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXksF2js7w%3D&md5=d13e3179178e10bae4d6cf5eb63101d7CAS |
Kaufmann, P. R., Larsen, D. P., and Faustini, J. M. (2009). Bed stability and sedimentation associated with human disturbances in Pacific Northwest streams 1. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association 45, 434–459.
| Bed stability and sedimentation associated with human disturbances in Pacific Northwest streams 1.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kefford, B. J., Zalizniak, L., Dunlop, J. E., Nugegoda, D., and Choy, S. C. (2010). How are macroinvertebrates of slow flowing lotic systems directly affected by suspended and deposited sediments? Environmental Pollution 158, 543–550.
| How are macroinvertebrates of slow flowing lotic systems directly affected by suspended and deposited sediments?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFyksL%2FM&md5=8eb32b3426b664a7f6cfe0c72516dff7CAS | 19740582PubMed |
Kemp, P., Sear, D., Collins, A., Naden, P., and Jones, I. (2011). The impacts of fine sediment on riverine fish. Hydrological Processes 25, 1800–1821.
| The impacts of fine sediment on riverine fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lancaster, J., and Downes, B. J. (2010). Linking the hydraulic world of individual organisms to ecological processes: putting ecology into ecohydraulics. River Research and Applications 26, 385–403.
| Linking the hydraulic world of individual organisms to ecological processes: putting ecology into ecohydraulics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Larned, S. T., Arscott, D. B., Schmidt, J., and Diettrich, J. C. (2010). A framework for analyzing longitudinal and temporal variation in river flow and developing flow-ecology relationships 1. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 46, 541–553.
Ledger, M. E., and Hildrew, A. G. (2001). Recolonization by the benthos of an acid stream following a drought. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 152, 1–17.
Ledger, M. E., Harris, R. M., Milner, A. M., and Armitage, P. D. (2006). Disturbance, biological legacies and community development in stream mesocosms. Oecologia 148, 682–691.
| Disturbance, biological legacies and community development in stream mesocosms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16639570PubMed |
Ledger, M. E., Harris, R. M. L., Armitage, P. D., and Milner, A. M. (2009). Realism of model ecosystems: an evaluation of physicochemistry and macroinvertebrate assemblages in artificial streams. Hydrobiologia 617, 91–99.
| Realism of model ecosystems: an evaluation of physicochemistry and macroinvertebrate assemblages in artificial streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFWis7fF&md5=d78c49001ac7b142c5a5e7ee08141078CAS |
Marsh, T., and Hannaford, J. (2008). ‘UK Hydrometric Register. Hydrological Data UK Series.’ (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology: Wallingford, UK.)
Matthaei, C. D., Piggott, J. J., and Townsend, C. R. (2010). Multiple stressors in agricultural streams: interactions among sediment addition, nutrient enrichment and water abstraction. Journal of Applied Ecology 47, 639–649.
| Multiple stressors in agricultural streams: interactions among sediment addition, nutrient enrichment and water abstraction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Menéndez, M., Descals, E., Riera, T., and Moya, O. (2012). Effect of small reservoirs on leaf litter decomposition in Mediterranean headwater streams. Hydrobiologia 691, 135–146.
| Effect of small reservoirs on leaf litter decomposition in Mediterranean headwater streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mürle, U., Ortlepp, J., and Zahner, M. (2003). Effects of experimental flooding on riverine morphology, structure and riparian vegetation: the River Spöl, Swiss National Park. Aquatic Sciences 65, 191–198.
| Effects of experimental flooding on riverine morphology, structure and riparian vegetation: the River Spöl, Swiss National Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murphy, J. F., Davy-Bowker, J., McFarland, B., and Ormerod, S. J. (2013). A diagnostic biotic index for assessing acidity in sensitive streams in Britain. Ecological Indicators 24, 562–572.
| A diagnostic biotic index for assessing acidity in sensitive streams in Britain.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsFSlsrrE&md5=2980e9a7e3c712c95d1dd0c8438e51c8CAS |
Nilsson, C., Reidy, C. A., Dynesius, M., and Revenga, C. (2005). Fragmentation and flow regulation of the world’s large river systems. Science 308, 405–408.
| Fragmentation and flow regulation of the world’s large river systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXjtFOnt7g%3D&md5=f1a8af3a1903c9a3cce664f73a08a44dCAS | 15831757PubMed |
Office of National Statistics (2014) Annual mid-year population estimates, 2013. Office of National Statistics, Newport UK.
Olsen, D. A., Matthaei, C. D., and Townsend, C. R. (2010). Effects of a depositional flood event on the hyporheos of a New Zealand stream. Fundamental and Applied Limnology – Archiv für Hydrobiologie 176, 337–348.
| Effects of a depositional flood event on the hyporheos of a New Zealand stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Palmer, M. A., Filoso, S., and Fanelli, R. M. (2014). From ecosystems to ecosystem services: Stream restoration as ecological engineering. Ecological Engineering 65, 62–70.
| From ecosystems to ecosystem services: Stream restoration as ecological engineering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peckarsky, B. L. (1991). Habitat selection by stream-dwelling predatory stoneflies. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48, 1069–1076.
| Habitat selection by stream-dwelling predatory stoneflies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poff, N. L., and Zimmerman, J. K. H. (2010). Ecological responses to altered flow regimes: a literature review to inform the science and management of environmental flows. Freshwater Biology 55, 194–205.
| Ecological responses to altered flow regimes: a literature review to inform the science and management of environmental flows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reid, M. A., Thoms, M. C., and Dyer, F. J. (2006). Effects of spatial and temporal variation in hydraulic conditions on metabolism in cobble biofilm communities in an Australian upland stream. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 25, 756–767.
| Effects of spatial and temporal variation in hydraulic conditions on metabolism in cobble biofilm communities in an Australian upland stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ruiz-González, C., Proia, L., Ferrera, I., Gasol, J. M., and Sabater, S. (2013). Effects of large river dam regulation on bacterioplankton community structure. FEMS Microbiology Ecology 84, 316–331.
| Effects of large river dam regulation on bacterioplankton community structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23278359PubMed |
Sagnes, P., Merigoux, S., and Peru, N. (2008). Hydraulic habitat use with respect to body size of aquatic insect larvae: case of six species from a French Mediterranean type stream. Limnologica 38, 23–33.
| Hydraulic habitat use with respect to body size of aquatic insect larvae: case of six species from a French Mediterranean type stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sarriquet, P. E., Bordenave, P., and Marmonier, P. (2007). Effects of bottom sediment restoration on interstitial habitat characteristics and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in a headwater stream. River Research and Applications 23, 815–828.
| Effects of bottom sediment restoration on interstitial habitat characteristics and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in a headwater stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tachet, H., Bournaud, M., Richoux, P., and Usseglio-Polatera, P. (2000). ‘Invertébrés d’Eau Douce: Systématique, Biologie, Ecologie.’ (CNRS Editions: Paris.)
Vadher, A. N., Stubbington, R., and Wood, P. J. (2015). Fine sediment reduces vertical migrations of Gammarus pulex (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in response to surface water loss. Hydrobiologia 753, 61–71.
Wagenhoff, A., Townsend, C. R., and Matthaei, C. D. (2012). Macroinvertebrate responses along broad stressor gradients of deposited fine sediment and dissolved nutrients: a stream mesocosm experiment. Journal of Applied Ecology 49, 892–902.
| Macroinvertebrate responses along broad stressor gradients of deposited fine sediment and dissolved nutrients: a stream mesocosm experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVCisr7J&md5=e78138c3b33457f4dbb91a8cffd46f77CAS |
Ward, J. V., and Stanford, J. A. (1979). Ecological factors controlling stream zoobenthos with emphasis on thermal modification of regulated streams. In ‘The Ecology of Regulated Streams’. (Eds J. V. Ward and J. A. Stanford.) pp. 35–55. (Plenum Press: New York.)
Williams, D., and Smith, M. (1996). Colonization dynamics of river benthos in response to local changes in bed characteristics. Freshwater Biology 36, 237–248.
| Colonization dynamics of river benthos in response to local changes in bed characteristics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wood, P. J., Toone, J., Greenwood, M. T., and Armitage, P. D. (2005). The response of four lotic macroinvertebrate taxa to burial by sediments. Archiv für Hydrobiologie – Hauptbände 163, 145–162.
| The response of four lotic macroinvertebrate taxa to burial by sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
