Streamflow and velocity as determinants of aquatic insect distribution and benthic community structure in Illinois

Osborne, Lewis L.; Herricks, Edwin E.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/89978 Copy

Description

Title

Streamflow and velocity as determinants of aquatic insect distribution and benthic community structure in Illinois

Author(s)

• Osborne, Lewis L.
• Herricks, Edwin E.

Contributor(s)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Issue Date

1983-12

Keyword(s)

• Water resources development
• Water resources development--Illinois
• Aquatic ecology
• Aquatic insects
• Benthic communities
• Stream macrobenthos
• Aquatic habitat
• Instream flow
• Stream organisms
• Microhabitat selection
• Artificial substrates

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

Stream flow characteristics, in particular velocity and depth, control channel substrates and directly or indirectly determine how aquatic insects are distributed and benthic communities are structured. A three year laboratory and field research program has been completed evaluating how streamflow affects aquatic insects in Illinois. Field studies related benthic community structure and species composition with boundary layer Reynolds number (R*) and evaluated microhabitat selection of several insect species on hydraulically defined artificial substrates. Hydraulic calibration of substrates was completed in laboratory flume studies using a thermistor based microprobe. A laboratory artificial stream was also used to determine habitat selection of net spinning caddisflies. Results indicated selection for defined microhabitats in several aquatic insect taxa. The artificial substrates proved to be a valuable tool in defining microhabitat characteristics occupied by aquatic insects. In studies to determine instream flow requirements, measures of mean column velocity were shown to be inadequate, determination of R* was preferred. The results of this research provide water resources managers with better tools to assess microhabitat modifications produced by changes in streamflow.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/89978

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Geological Survey

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1983 held by Lewis L. Osborne, Edwin E. Herricks

Owning Collections