Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The assemblage characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Yalutsangpo River, the highest major river in the world

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Earth Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems of highland rivers are different from those of low altitude rivers because of the specific topography and environmental parameters associated with high altitudes. Yalutsangpo, the upper course of the Brahmaputra River, is the highest major river in the world, flowing from west to east across Tibet, China and pouring into India. Macroinvertebrates were sampled from Yalutsangpo and its tributaries, the Lhasa, Niyang, and Parlong Tsangpo Rivers, from October 2009 to June 2010, to study characters of the highland aquatic ecosystem. Altogether, 110 macroinvertebrate taxa belonging to 57 families and 102 genera were identified from the basin. The biodiversity and composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages were strongly affected by altitude gradients. Local diversity represented by taxa richness and the improved Shannon-Wiener index were high at altitudes of 3,300–3,700 m, among which suitability of habitat was higher due to the better integrated environmental conditions of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and aquatic vegetation, etc. Macroinvertebrates were grouped into shredders, scrapers, predators, collector-filterers, and collector-gatherers according to their feeding behaviors. It was found that the distributions of the functional feeding groups varied with habitat altitudes. Shredders were present at altitudes of 2,900–4,400 m, while scrapers mainly inhabited altitudes of 3,500–4,500 m, and collector-filterers preferred 3,500–4,000 m.

Even though the local taxa richness was not high at each site, the taxonomic composition and density of the assemblages varied greatly among the different sites, resulting in much higher regional diversity compared to the lowland river with similar flow and substrate conditions. The regional cumulative taxa richness of Yalutsangpo decreased and more families were lost as the altitude increased. However, some families that were newly present as the altitude increased were essential for sustaining the high regional biodiversity. The ordination diagram obtained from Detrended Correspondence Analysis indicated that altitude, river pattern, riverbed structures, bank structures, and flow conditions were the main factors that influenced the macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Yalutsangpo basin.

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

  • Barbour M T, Gerritsen B D, Snyder B D (1999). Benthic macroinvertebrate protocols. In: Barbour M T, Gerritsen B D, Snyder B D, Stribling J B eds. Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish. EPA 841-B-99-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Water, Washington, 7.1–7.20

    Google Scholar 

  • Beauger A, Lair N, Reyes-Marchant P, Peiry J L (2006). The distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in a reach of the River Allier (France), in relation to riverbed characteristics. Hydrobiologia, 571(1): 63–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brittain J E, Milner A M (2001). Ecology of glacier-fed rivers: current status and concepts. Freshw Biol, 46(12): 1571–1578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyero L (2005). Multiscale variation in the functional composition of stream macroinvertebrate communities in low-order mountain streams. Limnetica, 24(3–4): 245–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgherr P, Ward J V (2001). Longitudinal and seasonal distribution patterns of the benthic fauna of an alpine glacial stream (Val Roseg, Swiss Alps). Freshw Biol, 46(12): 1705–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Čiamporová-Zaťovičová Z, Hamerlík L, Šporka F, Bitušík P (2010). Littoral benthic macroinvertebrates of alpine lakes (Tatra Mts) along an altitudinal gradient: a basis for climate change assessment. Hydrobiologia, 648(1): 19–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan X H, Wang Z Y, Xu M Z (2011). Effects of fluvial processes and human activities on stream macro-invertebrates. Int J Sediment Res, 26(4): 416–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan X H, Wang Z Y, Xu M Z, Zhang K (2009). Effect of streambed sediment on benthic ecology. Int J Sediment Res, 24(3): 325–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fjellheim A, Raddum G G, Vandvik V, Cogǎlniceanu D, Boggero A, Brancelj A, Galas J, Sporka F, Vidinova Y, Bitusik P, Dumnicka E, Gåldean N, Kownacki A, Krno I, Preda E, Risnoveanu G, Stuchlik E (2009). Diversity and distribution patterns of benthic invertebrates along alpine gradients. A study of remote European freshwater lakes. Adv Limnol, 62: 167–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Füreder L, Schütz C, Wallinger M, Burger R (2001). Physico-chemistry and aquatic insects of a glacier-fed and a spring-fed alpine stream. Freshw Biol, 46(12): 1673–1690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henriques-Oliveira A L, Nessimian J L (2010). Aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity and composition in streams along an altitudinal gradient in Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotropica, 10(3): 115–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill M O (1979). DECORANA—A Fortran Program for Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Reciprocal Averaging. Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen D (2004). Contrasting patterns in local and zonal family richness of stream invertebrates along an Andean altitudinal gradient. Freshw Biol, 49(10): 1293–1305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeník J (1997). The diversity of mountain life. In: Messerli B, Ives J D eds. Mountains of the World. New York: Parthenon Publishing Group, 199–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y L, Wang H Z (1999). Zoobenthos. In: Liu J K ed. Advanced Hydrobiology. Beijing: Science Press, 241–259 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z F, Tian L D, Yao T D, Gong T L, Yin C L, Yu W S (2007). Variations of 18O in precipitation of the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin. Acta Geogr Sin, 62(5): 510–517 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu X X, Zhang S R, Xu J C, Merz J (2011). The changing sediment loads of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan rivers: an overview. In: Proceedings of the ICCE Workshop held at Hyderabad, India, September 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor G, Petts G E, Gurnell A M, Milner A M (1995). Sensitivity of alpine stream ecosystems to climatic change and human impacts. Aquat Conserv, 5(3): 233–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milbrink G (1983). An improved environmental index based on the relative abundance of Oligochaetes species. Hydrobiologia, 102(2): 89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milner A M, Brittain J E, Brown L E, Hannah D M (2010). Water sources and habitat of Alpine streams. In: Bundi U ed. AlpineWaters. Berlin: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 175–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Milner A M, Petts G E (1994). Glacial rivers: physical habitat and ecology. Freshw Biol, 32(2): 295–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morse J C, Yang L F, Tian L X (1994). Aquatic Insects of China Useful for Monitoring Water Quality. Nanjing: Hohai University Press, 1–570

    Google Scholar 

  • Pan B Z, Wang H J, Liang X M, Wang H Z (2011). Macrozoobenthos in Yangtze floodplain lakes: patterns of density, biomass and production in relation to river connectivity. J N Am Benthol Soc, 30(2): 589–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan B Z, Wang Z Y, Xu M Z (2012). Macroinvertebrates in abandoned channels: assemblage characteristics and their indications for channel management. River Res Appl, 28(8): 1149–1160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plafkin J L, Barbour M T, Porter K D, Gross S K, Hughes R M (1989). Rapid bioassessment protocols for use in streams and rivers: benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water EPA/444/4-89-001, Washington, 1–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg D M, Resh V H (1993). Introduction to freshwater biomonitoring and benthic macroinvertebrates. In: Rosenberg D M, Resh V H eds. Freshwater Biomonitoring and Benthic Macroinvertebrates. New York: Chapman and Hall, 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Skjelkvåle B L, Wright R F (1998). Mountain lakes; sensitivity to acid deposition and global climate change. Ambio, 27: 280–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith M J, Kay W R, Edward D H D, Papas P J, Richardson K S J, Simpson J C, Pinder AM, Cale D J, Horwitz P H J, Davis J A, Yung F H, Norris R H, Halse S A (1999). AusRivAS: using macroinvertebrates to assess ecological condition of rivers in Western Australia. Freshw Biol, 41(2): 269–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smock L A (1983). The influence of feeding habits on whole-body metal concentrations in aquatic insects. Freshw Biol, 13(4): 301–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song M H, Ma Y M, Zhang Yu, Li M S, Ma W Q, Sun F L (2011). Analyses of characteriatics and trend of air temperature variation along the Brahmaputra valley. Climatic and environmental research. 16(6): 760–766 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ter Braak C J F, Šmilauer P (2002). CANOCO Reference Manual and Users Guide to Canoco for Windows. Software for Canonical Community Ordination (Version 4.5). New York: Microcomputer Power, 1–500

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomanova S, Tedesco P A, Campero M, Van Damme P A, Moya N, Oberdorff T (2007). Longitudinal and altitudinal changes of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in neotropical streams: a test of the river continuum concept. Fundamental and Applied Limnology, 170(3): 233–241 (Archiv für Hydrobiologie)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z Y, Lee J H W, Melching C S (2012). Integrated River Training and Management. Beijing: Tsinghua University, 1–800

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Z Y, Melching C S, Duan X H, Yu G (2009). Ecological and hydraulic studies of step-pool systems. J Hydraul Eng, 135(9): 705–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • You Q L, Kang S C, Wu Y H, Yan Y P (2007). Climate change over the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin during 1961–2005. J Geogr Sci, 17(4): 409–420

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao W H, Liu X Q (2010). Preliminary study on macrozoobenthos in Yarlung River River and its branches around Xiongcun, Tibet, China. Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin, 19(3): 281–286 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Mengzhen Xu & Zhaoyin Wang

  2. Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan, 430010, China

    Baozhu Pan

  3. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Guoan Yu

Authors
  1. Mengzhen Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhaoyin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Baozhu Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guoan Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mengzhen Xu or Zhaoyin Wang.

Additional information

Mengzhen Xu, Ph.D in Hydraulic Engineering. Dr. Xu earned her doctoral degree in 2012 from the State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. She is currently working as a post-doc in the Department of Hydraulic Engineering of Tsinghua University. Her research interests include hydraulic engineering, sediment transportation, aquatic ecology, macroinvertebrate biodiversity, mussel invasion and controlling, estuarine and coastal engineering, and integrated river management. She has published and coauthored more than 40 papers in international and Chinese journals. Dr. Xu is a member of the International Association of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering Research (IAHR). Her coauthored paper “Effect of streambed sediment on benthic ecology, International Journal of Sediment Research” was honored with the Best Paper Award of the International Journal of Sediment Research.

Zhaoyin Wang is professor of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering of Tsinghua University and the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the International Research and Training Center on Erosion and Sedimentation (UNESCO). He was the first secretary-general and is vice president of the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research (WASER). He is vice president of the International Association of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering Research (IAHR). His research interests include sediment transportation, vegetation-erosion dynamics, river ecology and integrated river management. He has published and coauthored 320 papers in international and Chinese journals. Dr. Wang has been the chief editor of the “International Journal of Sediment Research” since 1996. He was one of the initiators of the IAHR “International Journal of River Basin Management” and is associate editor. He is a member of the steering committee of UNESCO International Sedimentation Initiative.

Baozhu Pan, Ph. D in freshwater ecology. He earned his doctoral degree in 2009 from the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China. He is working as a researcher at the Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan, China. His research interests include freshwater ecology, macroinvertebrate assemblage, river restoration, ecohydrology, ecohydraulics, and integrated river management.

Guoan Yu, Ph.D in hydraulic engineering. He earned his doctoral degree in 2009 from the State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. He is working as a researcher at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests include fluvial geomorphology and river dynamics, and integrated river management.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xu, M., Wang, Z., Pan, B. et al. The assemblage characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Yalutsangpo River, the highest major river in the world. Front. Earth Sci. 8, 351–361 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-014-0414-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-014-0414-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation