Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of coastal and continental streams and large rivers of southwestern British Columbia, Canada

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In southwestern British Columbia (BC, Canada) and within a relatively small geographic area, lotic environments range from streams in coastal rainforests, to streams in arid continental grasslands, to very large rivers. Little is known about the invertebrate communities in large rivers in general, or in the streams of continental BC. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the benthic invertebrate community structure changes spatially between small coastal and small interior streams; between small streams versus large rivers; and whether changes in the benthic community are related to the environmental conditions. Kicknet samples and environmental data were collected from three coastal streams, three continental streams and two large rivers (discharge of 781 and 3620 m3/s, respectively). The large river sites had low invertebrate abundance, species richness and diversity, relative to the small streams. The coastal streams had the highest species richness and the continental streams had the highest invertebrate abundance. A number of taxa were specific to each class of stream. Invertebrate abundance decreased with river size, and increased with elevation, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, NO2NO3-N, total Kejldahl nitrogen and percent carbon in suspended solids.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baumann, R.W., A. R. Gaufin & R. F. Surdick, 1977. The Stoneflies (Plecoptera) of the Rocky Mountains. Mem. Am. Ent. Soc. No. 31, Philadelphia.

  • Binkley, D. & T. C. Brown, 1993. Management impacts on water quality of forests and rangelands. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-239, Fort Collins, Colorado.

  • Bothwell, M. L. & J. M. Culp, 1993. Sensitivity of the Thompson River to phosphorus: studies on trophic dynamics. National Hydrology Research Institute, Canada, Contribution No. 93006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cancilla, D., 1994. Manual of analytical methods. Volume 1. National Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ont. (unpaginated).

    Google Scholar 

  • Church, M. & D. G. McLean, 1994. Sedimentation in lower Fraser River, British Columbia: Implications for management. In Schumm, S. A. & B. R. Winkley (eds), The Variability of Large Alluvial Rivers. ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Press, New York: 221–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, D. G., T. D. Galloway & J. F. Flannagan, 1992. Effects of discharge and substrate stability on density and species composition of stream insects. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 49: 1788–1795.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corkum, L. D., 1989. Patterns of benthic invertebrate assemblages in rivers of northwestern North America. Freshwat. Biol. 21: 195–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corkum, L. D., 1990. Intrabiome distributional patterns of lotic macroinvertebrate assemblages. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 47: 2147–2157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, K. W. 1988. The study of stream ecosystems: a functional view. In Pomeroy, L. R. & J. J. Alberts (eds), Concepts of Ecosystem Ecology. Springer, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dieterich, M. & N. H. Anderson, 1995. Life cycles and food habits of mayflies and stoneflies from temporary streams in western Oregon. Freshwat. Biol. 34: 47–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, G. A. & G. G. LaHaie, 1979. Size analysis procedures used in the Sedimentology Laboratory. Manual, Hydraulics Division, National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furse, M. T., D. Moss, J. F. Wright & P. D. Armitage, 1984. The in-fluence of seasonal and taxonomic factors on the ordination and classification of running-water sites in Great Britain and on the prediction of their macro-invertebrate communities. Freshwat. Biol. 14: 257–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. P., 1986. Variation in individual growth rates and population densities of ephemerellid mayflies. Ecology 76: 1384–1395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellawell, J. M., 1986. Biological Indicators of Freshwater Pollution and Environmental Management. Elsevier, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, H. B. N., 1970. The Ecology of Running Waters. University of Toronto Press. Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, H. B. N., 1989. Keynote address, pp. 5–10. In Dodge, D. P. (ed.), Proceedings of the International Large River Symposium (LARS) Can. Spec. Publ. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 106: 1–629.

  • Lehmkuhl, D. M. & N. H. Anderson, 1970. Observations on the biology of Cinygmula reticulata McDunnough in Oregon. Pan-Pac. Entomol 46: 268–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merritt, R. W. & K. W. Cummins, 1996. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. 3rd edn. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Iowa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchant, R., 1989. A subsampler for samples of benthic invertebrates. Bull Australian. Soc. Limnology 12: 49–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshall, G. W., R. C. Petersen, K. W. Cummins, T. L. Bott, J. R. Sedell, C. E. Cushing & R. L. Vannote, 1983. Interbiome comparison of stream ecosystem dynamics. Ecol. Monogr. 51: 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundie, J. H., K. S. Simpson & C. J. Perrin, 1991. Responses of stream periphyton and benthic insects to increases in dissolved inorganic phosphorus in a mescosm. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 48: 2061–2072.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbury, R. W., 1984. Hydrologic determinants of aquatic insect habitats. In Resh, V. H. & D. M. Rosenberg (eds), The Ecology of Aquatic Insects. Praeger, New York: 323–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbury, R. W. & M. N. Gabory, 1993. Stream Analysis and Fish Habitat Design: A Field Manual. Newbury Hydraulics Ltd. Gibsons, BC: 256 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northcote, T. G. & M. D. Burwash, 1991. Fish and fish habitats of the Fraser River basin. In Dorcey, A. H. J. & J. R. Griggs (eds), Water in Sustainable Development: Exploring our Common 89 Future in the Fraser River Basin. Westwater Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC: 117–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, S. F., 1984. The genus Brachycentrus in North America with a proposed phylogeny of the genera of Brachcentridae (Trichoptera). Smith. Cont. Zool. No. 398.

  • Ormerod, S. J. & R.W. Edwards, 1987. The ordination and classification of macroinvertebrate assemblages in the catchment of the River Wye in relation to environmental factors. Freshwat. Biol. 17: 533–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, M. A. & N. L. Poff, 1997. The influence of environmental heterogeneity on pattterns and processes in streams. J. n. am. Benthol. Soc. 16: 169–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, M. W., 1993. Putting things in even better order: the advantage of Canonical Correspondence Analysis. Ecology 74: 2215–2230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennak, R.W., 1978. Fresh-water invertebrates of the United States. 2nd edn. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poff, N. L. & J. V. Ward, 1989. Implications of streamflow variability and predictability for lotic community structure: a regional analysis of streamflow patterns. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 46: 1805–1817.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rempel, L. L., J. S. Richardson & M. C. Healey, 1999. Flow refugia for benthic macroinvertebrates during flooding of a large river. J. n. am. Benthol. Soc. 18: 34–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rempel, L. L., J. S. Richardson & M. C. Healey, 2000. Macroinvertebrate community structure along a gradient of hydraulic and sedimentary conditions in a large, gravel-bed river. Freshwat. Biol. 45: 57–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resh, V. H. & D. M. Rosenberg (eds), 1984. The Ecology of Aquatic Insects. Praeger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, C., G. E. Host & J. W. Arthur, 1993. Identification of predominant environmental factors structuring stream macroinvertebrate communities within a large agricultural catchment. Freshwat. Biol. 29: 285–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, J. S., 1991. Seasonal food limitation of detritivores in a montane stream: an experimental test. Ecology 72: 873–887.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, J. S., 1994. Forest-stream interactions: potential effects on productivity and biodiversity of benthic communities in interior British Columbia. In Macdonald, J. S. (ed.), Proceedings of the Takla Fishery/Forestry Workshop: A two year review April 1, 1993, Prince George, B.C. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish Aquat. Sci. No. 2007. Vancouver, British Columbia.

  • Rosenberg, D. M., T. B. Reynoldson & V. H. Resh, 1999. Establishing reference conditions for benthic invertebrate monitoring in the Fraser River Catchment, British Columbia, Canada. FRAP Report No: DOE-FRAP 1998–32. Environment Canada, Vancouver, B.C: 149 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, E. H., 1949. Measurement of diversity. Nature 163: 688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stainton, M. P., M. J. Capel & F. A. J Armstrong, 1977. The chemical analysis of fresh water. 2nd edn. Canadian Fisheries and Marine Service Misc. Special Publication, 25: 180 pp.

  • Sweeney, B.W., 1993. Effects of streamside vegetation on macroinvertebrate communities of White Clay Creek in eastern North America. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 144: 291–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tate, C. M. & J. S. Heiny, 1995. The ordination of benthic invertebrate communities in the South Platte River Basin in relation to environmental factors. Freshwat. Biol. 33: 439–454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, C. R., S. Dolédec & M. R. Scarsbrook, 1997. Species traits in relation to temporal and spatial heterogeneity in streams: a test of habitat templet theory. Freshwat. Biol. 37: 367–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, C. R. & A. G. Hildrew, 1994. Species traits in relation to a habitat templet for river systems. Freshwat. Biol. 31: 265–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vannote, R. L., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell & C. E. Cushing, 1980. The river continuum concept. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 37: 130–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. V., 1986. Altitudinal zonation in a Rocky Mountain stream. Arch. Hydrobiol./Supplement 74: 133–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittier, T. R., R.M. Hughes & D. P. Larsen, 1988. Correspondence between ecoregions and spatial patterns in stream ecosystems in Oregon. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 45: 1264–1278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiggins, G. B., 1996. Larvae of the North American caddis-fly genera (Trichoptera). 2nd edn. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Pamela F. Reece

  2. Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada

    John S. Richardson

Authors
  1. Pamela F. Reece
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John S. Richardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John S. Richardson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reece, P.F., Richardson, J.S. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of coastal and continental streams and large rivers of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Hydrobiologia 439, 77–89 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004105820586

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004105820586

Search

Navigation