Aquatic Macroinverterbrates of the Piceance Basin, Colorado: Community Response along Spatial and Temporal Gradients of Environmental Conditions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A long-term study of the aquatic biotopes of the Piceance Basin has enabled analyses of macroinvertebrate communities along spatial (downstream) and temporal (year-to-year) gradients of environmental conditions. Cluster analysis indicates 4 distinct aquatic habitat types: spring sources, springbrooks, and the middle and lower reaches of Piceance Creek. Spatial differences in temperature and flow constancy influence habitat stability with respect to substrate, degree-day distribution, ice conditions and the distribution and adundance of aquatic macrophytes. Despite great differences in thermal patterns, total annual degree-days were .apprx. 3000 in all 4 habitat types. The principal energy source for macroinvertebrates is autochthonous detritus. Trophic structure shifts from shredders-collectors-scrapers in the headwaters to collectors-predators in lower reaches. year-to-year variations in discharge altered the density and composition of macroinvertebrates and were reflected in the thermal regimes at mainstream locations. Data suggest that groundwater discharge from upper reaches is important in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of aquatic systems in the Piceance Basin.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: