2023/09/11 by Choy, Owen, Constantian, Grace, Griffin, June +1
#Cladophora glomerata #epiphytic diatoms #freshwater river ecosystems #macroinvertebrate density #periphyton
paper · doi:10.21973/n3dw9d
Periphyton, which consists partly of aquatic primary producers, forms the crucial foundation of freshwater stream food webs. We conducted an observational study in the South Fork Eel River, which runs through federally protected coniferous coastal range forests in northwestern California. We studied how water flow rate impacts periphyton abundance and how both water flow rate and periphyton abundance affect macroinvertebrate density and community composition. Water flow rate, periphyton abundance and macroinvertebrate larvae were quantified. We predicted that with greater flow rates, periphyton abundance would increase and macroinvertebrate populations would be denser and more diverse. We found that as flow rates increased, periphyton abundance decreased. Macroinvertebrate densities and diversity increased with flow rate and decreased with higher periphyton abundance. Our findings contribute to the understanding of trophic relationships and community interactions within running freshwater ecosystems, which are a dynamic and critical habitat facing increasing anthropogenic and climate pressure.