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Aquatic macroinvertebrate richness and diversity associated with native submerged aquatic vegetation plantings increases in longer-managed and wetland-channeled effluent constructed urban wetlands

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Abstract

Macroinvertebrate community structure and assemblages associated with the planted, native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) species Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) MacMillan and Potamogeton nodosus Poiret were examined in a series of constructed urban floodway wetlands, the Dallas Floodway Extension Lower Chain of Wetlands, Dallas, TX, USA. Macroinvertebrate community metrics, including abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness associated with SAV and three different wetlands of varying construction completion dates, water sources (direct or wetland-channeled wastewater effluent), and ecosystem management stage (established/reference or developing) were compared and analyzed. Assemblages at sampling sites were also classified and related to vegetation and wetland physicochemical parameters. Plant species affected only macroinvertebrate abundance, with the less-dissected P. nodosus supporting higher counts than H. dubia. Wetland age and water-effluent type had the most substantial effect on macroinvertebrate communities. The older, longer-managed wetland and wetland-channeled effluent habitat consistently demonstrated higher quality metrics and biodiversity than newly constructed, direct effluent wetland habitat. Increased vegetation cover and wetland age, coupled with moderate water temperature, pH, and DO levels were characteristics of more rich and diverse macroinvertebrate communities, including pollutant-sensitive taxa, such as Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District for biological monitoring of the Dallas Floodway Extension Lower Chain of Wetlands. We are indebted to Julie Nachtrieb, Nathan Harms, Dian Smith, Meredith Evans, Todd Sliger, David Holbrook, and Emily Yeoman for their help in the field and lab.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Research and Development Center, Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, 201 E. Jones, Lewisville, TX, 75057, USA

    Aaron N. Schad, Gary O. Dick & Lynde Dodd

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Cir, Denton, TX, 76203, USA

    James H. Kennedy

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  1. Aaron N. Schad
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Correspondence to Aaron N. Schad.

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Schad, A.N., Kennedy, J.H., Dick, G.O. et al. Aquatic macroinvertebrate richness and diversity associated with native submerged aquatic vegetation plantings increases in longer-managed and wetland-channeled effluent constructed urban wetlands. Wetlands Ecol Manage 28, 461–477 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-020-09724-1

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