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Flow permanence and macroinvertebrate community variability in limestone spring systems

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Abstract

Limestone (karst) springs within the River Wye catchment (Derbyshire, U.K.) were investigated to examine the influence of physical and chemical characteristics and habitat variability on macroinvertebrate community composition. Flow permanence had a greater influence on the invertebrate community than any other physical or chemical variable examined. Clear differences in the macroinvertebrate community were observed between perennial (7) and intermittent springs (11) and the mainstem river. Springs support distinct communities, with some taxa exclusively recorded at the source or within the springbrook (e.g. Agabus guttatus [Paykull] and Micropterna lateralis [Stephens]). A degree of faunal overlap with the mainstem river occurred suggesting that perennial springs may form a refugium for many taxa and that intermittent springs are rapidly colonised by taxa from the mainstem river after the resumption of flow.

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  1. Pennine Water Group, School of Engineering, Design and Technology, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, U.K.

    H. Smith

  2. Department of Geography, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, U.K

    P.J. Wood

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Smith, H., Wood, P. Flow permanence and macroinvertebrate community variability in limestone spring systems. Hydrobiologia 487, 45–58 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022932303652

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