Aquatic Invertebrate Abundance in Relation to Changing Marsh Vegetation

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Abstract
The relationship between invertebrate populations and vegetative cover was studied in several Iowa [USA] marshes during the peak of the avian nesting season. Shallow water with emergent and floating dead vegetation produced the most isopods, planorbid snails and physid snails. Physid snails had another abundance peak in areas where submerged plants were found below dense free-floating plants. Midges reached greatest abundance in more open habitats somewhat protected from the wind. Amphipods were the most numerous invertebrate taxa and were most abundant in dense beds of submerged vegetation. Cladocera and copepods were most common in quiet pools with little vegetation. Total invertebrate abundance increased as the emergent vegetation was replaced by submerged vegetation, but maximum numbers occurred where beds of submerged vegetation were interspersed with stands of emergent vegetation. Nesting marsh birds are attracted to marshes that produce the most invertebrates.