Abstract
Taxonomic composition of benthic invertebrates in interior Alaskan streams and rivers is summarized from published and unpublished data. Diptera dominate the Alaskan stream fauna and constitute a larger proportion of the benthos in Alaskan streams than in streams of temperate North America. Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera are the next most abundant in Alaskan streams with Trichoptera generally very scarce. Several orders that occur regularly in streams of temperate North America are absent (or in very low abundance) in interior Alaskan streams: Hemiptera, Odonata, Megaloptera, Coleoptera. Netspinning caddisflies, burrowing mayflies, and several families of stoneflies (Pteronarcyidae, Peltoperlidae and Perlidae) are conspicuous by their absence or extreme scarcity. Taxonomic composition varies significantly among hydrologic regions (major watersheds) and among stream types (springs, headwater streams, small rivers, and large rivers). Only two taxa (Chironomidae and Nemouridae) significantly increase in proportional contribution from south to north while many taxa decrease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Alexander, V. & K. Van Cleve, 1983. The Alaska pipeline: a success story. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 14:443–463.
Anderson, N. H. & J. R Sedell, 1979. Detritus processing by macroinvertebrates in stream ecosystems. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 24:351–377.
Andrews, D. A. & G. W. Minshall, 1979. Distribution of benthic invertebrates in the Lost Streams of Idaho. Amer. Midl. Nat. 102:140–148.
Barton, D. R, 1986. Invertebrates of the Mackenzie system. In B. R Davies & K. F. Walker (eds), The ecology of river systems. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.:473–492.
Bott, T. L., J. T. Brock, C. S. Dunn, R J. Naiman, R W. Ovink & R C. Petersen, 1985. Benthic community metabolism in four temperate stream systems: an inter-biome comparison and evaluation of the river continuum concept. Hydrobiologia 123:3–45.
Bowser, C. J., 1986. Historic data sets: lessons from the past, lessons for the future. In W. K. Michener (ed.), Research data management in the ecological sciences. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, Sc.: 155–179.
Brown, B. N., 1987. Community structure and longitudinal patterns of benthic invertebrates in a heavy metal contaminated Alaskan river system. M. S. Thesis. University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA.
Childers, J. M., D. R Kernodle & R M. Loeffier, 1979. Hydrological reconnaissance of Western Arctic Alaska, 1976 and 1977. Open-File Report 79-699. U.S. Geol. Survey. Anchorage, Alaska.
Childers, J. M., C. E. Sioan, J. P. Meckel & J. W. Nauman, 1977. Hydrological reconnaissance of the Eastern North Siope, Alaska, 1975. Open-File Report 77-492. U.S. Geol. Survey. Anchorage, Alaska.
Clifford, H. F., 1980. Numerical abundance values of mayfly nymphs from the holarctic region. In J. F. Flannagan & K. E. Marshall (eds), Advances in Ephemeroptera biology. Plenum Press, NY: 503–509.
Cline, L. D., R A. Short & J. V. Ward, 1982. The influence of highway construction on the macroinvertebrates and epilithic algae of a high mountain stream. Hydrobiologia 96:149–159.
Cowan, C. A., 1983. Phenology of benthic detritus input, storage and processing in an Alaskan subarctic stream. M. S. Thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA.
Cowan, C. A. & M. W. Oswood, 1984. Spatial and seasonal associations of benthic macroinvertebrates and detritus in an Alaskan subarctic stream. Polar Biol. 3:211–215.
Craig, P. C. & P. J. McCart, 1974. Classification of stream types in Beaufort Sea drainages between Prudhoc Bay, Alaska and the Mackenzie Delta. In P. J. McCart (ed.), Classification of streams in Beaufort Sea drainages and distribution of fish in arctic and sub-arctic drainages. Canadian Arctic Gas Study Limited, Biological Report Series. Vol. 17, Chap. 1. 47 pp.
Cummins, K. W., 1972. What is a river? — a zoological description. In R T. Oglesby, C. A. Carlson & J. A. McCann (eds), River ecology and man. Academic Press, NY:33–52.
Cummins, K. W., 1975. The ecology of running waters; theory and practice. In D. B. Baker, W. B. Jackson & B. L. Prater (eds), Proceedings Sandusky River Basin Symposium. Tiffin, Ohio.:278–293.
Cummins, K. W., J. R Sedell, F. J. Swanson, G. W. Minshall, S. G. Fisher, C. E. Cushing, R C. Petersen & R L. Vannote, 1983. Organic matter budgets for stream ecosystems: problems in their evaluation. In J. R Barnes & G. W. Minshall (eds), Stream ecology: application and testing of general ecological theory. Plenum Press, NY:299–353.
Danks, H. V., 1981. Arctic arthropods: a review of systematics and ecology with particular reference to the North American fauna. Entomological Society of Canada, Ottawa. 608 pp.
Elliott, G. V., 1980. First interim report on the evaluation of stream crossings and effects of channel modifications on fishery resources along the route of the trans-Alaska pipeline. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Special Studies, Anchorage, Alaska, 77 pp.
Elliott, G. V., 1982. Final report on the evaluation of stream crossings and effects of channel modifications on fishery resources along the route of the trans-Alaska pipeline. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Special Studies, Anchorage, Alaska, 110 pp.
Frey, P. J., E. W. Mueller & E. C. Berry, 1970. The Chena River: the study of a subarctic stream. Federal Water Quality Administration, Northwest Region, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska. Project No. 1610 — 10/70. 96 pp.
Glesne, R S. & S. J. Deschermeier, 1984. Abundance, distribution and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates of the North Slope of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 1982 and 1983. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fairbanks Fishery Resources Progress Report Number FY84-2, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Harper, P. P., 1981. Ecology of streams at high latitudes. In M. A. Lock & D. D. Williams (eds), Perspectives in running water ecology. Plenum Press, NY:313–337.
Hawkes, C. L., D. L. Miller & W. G. Layher, 1986. Fish ecoregions of Kansas: stream fish assemblage patterns and associated environment al correlates. Envir. Biol. Fishes 17:267–279.
Hynes, H. B. N., 1970. The ecology of running waters. University of Toronto Press. 555 pp.
Larsen, D. P., J. M. Omernik, R M. Hughes, C. M. Rohm, T. R Whittier, A. J. Kinney, A. L. Gallant & D. R Dudley, 1986. Correspondence between spatial patterns in fish assemblages in Ohio streams and aquatic ecoregions. Envir. Manag. 10:815–828.
Logan, P. & M. P. Brooker, 1983. The macroinvertebrate faunas of riffies and pools. Wat. Res. 17:263–270.
Lotspeich, F. B., E. W. Mueller & P. J. Frey, 1970. Effects of large scale forest fires on water quality in interior Alaska. U.S. Dept. Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska. 115 pp.
McCoy, G. A., 1974. Preconstruction assessment of biological quality of the Chena and Little Chena rivers in the vicinity of the Chena Lakes Flood Control Project near Fairbanks. U.S. Geological Survey. Water — Resources Investigations 29–74. 84 pp.
MacLean, S. F. Jr., 1975. Ecological adaptations of tundra invertebrates. In F. J. Verburg (ed.), Physiological adaptation to the environment. Intext Educational Publishers, NY:269–299.
Maurer, M. A., 1986. Chemical and biological water quality of selected streams in the Beluga Coal Area, Alaska. Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. Public-data File 86–51.
Maurer, M. A. & D. C. Toland, 1984. Water-quality data from the Beluga coal-field area, Alaska, June 1982 through March 1983. Report of Investigation 84–27. Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
Merritt, R. W. & K. W. Cummins, 1978. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Dubuque, Iowa. 441 pp.
Miller, M. C., J. R. Stout & V. Alexander, 1986. Effects of a controlled under-ice oil spill on invertebrates of an arctic and a subarctic stream. Environ. Poil. (Series A): 42:99–132.
Minshall, G. W., 1978. Autotrophy in stream ecosystems. BioScience 28:767–771.
Minshall, G. W., 1981. Structure and temporal variations of the benthic macroinvertebrate community inhabiting Mink Creek, Idaho, USA, a 3rd order Rocky Mountain stream. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 1:13–26.
Nauman, J. W. & D. R. Kemodle, 1974. Aquatic organisms from selected sites along the proposed trans-Alaska pipeline corridor September 1970 to September 1972. Basic-Data Report. U.S. Geol. Survey. Anchorage, Alaska. 23 pp.
Nauman, J. W. & D. R. Kemodle, 1975. The effect of a fuel oil spill on benthic invertebrates and water quality on the Alaskan arctic slope, Happy Valley Creek near Sagwan, Alaska. J. Res. U.S. Geol. Survey 3:495–500.
Neel, J. K., Sr., 1985. A northern prairie stream. University of North Dakota Press, Grand Forks, N.D. 274 pp.
Oswood, M. W., C. W. Slaughter & J. W. Hilgert, 1984. Effects of vegetation removal in an Alaskan subarctic watershed: preimpact benthic invertebrate studies. In S. R. Bredthauer (Chairman), Alaska’s water: a critical resource. Proc. Alaska Section, American Water Resources Association. Inst. Water Resources, Univ. Alaska, Fairbanks. IWR Report 106: 183–193.
Pennak, R. W., 1978. Fresh-waterinvertebrates of the United States, 2nd Edn. John Wiley and Sons., NY: 803 pp.
Risser, P. G. & C. G. Treworgy, 1986. Overview of ecological research data management. In W. K. Michener (ed.), Research data management in the ecological sciences. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, S.C.:9–22.
Scudder, G. G. E., 1979. Present patterns in the fauna and flora of Canada. In H. V. Danks (ed.), Canada and its insect fauna. Memoirs Entomol. Soc. Canada No. 108. Ottawa:87–179.
Slack, K. V., J. W. Nauman & L. J. Tilley, 1979. Benthic invertebrates in a north-flowing stream and a south-flowing stream, Brooks Range, Alaska. Water Resources Bull. 15:108–135.
Sokal, R. R. & F. J. Rohlf, 1981. Biometry, 2nd Edn. W. H. Freeman and Co. San Francisco. 859 pp.
Wagener, S. M., 1984. Effects of gold placer mining on stream macroinvertebrates of interior Alaska. M. S. Thesis. University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA.
Watson, D. G., W. C. Hanson, J. J. Davis & C. E. Cushing, 1966. Limnology of tundra ponds and Ogoturuk Creek. In N. J. Wilimovsky & J. N. Wolfe (eds), Environment of the Cape Thompson Region, Alaska. U.S. Atomic Energy Commision.:415–435.
Webster, J. R., E. F. Benfield & J. Caims, Jr., 1979. Model predictions of effects of impoundment on particulate organic matter transport in a river system. In J. V. Ward & J. A. Stanford (eds), The ecology ofregulated streams. Plenum Press, NY:339–364.
Wiggins, G. B. & R. J. Mackay, 1978. Some relationships between systematics and trophic ecology in nearctic aquatic insects, with special reference to Trichoptera. Ecology 59:1211–1220.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Oswood, M.W. (1989). Community structure of benthic invertebrates in interior Alaskan (USA) streams and rivers. In: Vincent, W.F., Ellis-Evans, J.C. (eds) High Latitude Limnology. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 49. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2603-5_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2603-5_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7674-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2603-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive