Linking hydro‐morphology with invertebrate ecology in diverse morphological units of a large river‐floodplain system. Issue 12 (22nd December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blettler, Martín C. M.; Amsler, Mario L.; Eberle, Eliana G.; Szupiany, Ricardo; Latosinski, Francisco G.; Abrial, Elie; Oberholster, Paul J.; Espinola, Luis A.; Paira, Aldo; Poza, Ailen; Rodrigues Capítulo, Alberto
• Is Part Of: Water resources research. Volume 52:Issue 12(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 9495
• Page End: 9510
• Publication Date: 2016-12-22
• Subjects: ecomorphology -- ecohydraulics -- large floodplain river -- benthic macroinvertebrate -- patchy discontinua; Hydrology -- Periodicals; 333.91
• DOI: 10.1002/2016WR019454
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1397

Abstract

Abstract: Interdisciplinary research in the fields of ecohydrology and ecogeomorphology is becoming increasingly important as a way to understand how biological and physical processes interact with each other in river systems. The objectives of the current study were 1) to determine changes in invertebrate community due to hydrological stages, 2) to link local physical features [flow configuration, sediment composition and morphological feature) with the ecological structure between and within dissimilar morphological units (meander and confluence), and 3) to determine the existence and the origin of bed hydro‐geomorphic patches, determining their ecological structure. Results were discussed in the frame of prevailing ecological models and concepts. The study site extends over a floodplain area of the large Paraná River (Argentina), including minor and major secondary channels as well as the main channel. Overall results suggested that hydrodynamics was the driving force determining distribution patterns of benthic assemblages in the floodplain. However, while the invertebrates living in minor secondary channels seem to benefit from flooding, this hydrological phase had the opposite effect on organisms from the main and major secondary channels. We also found a clear linkage between physical features and invertebrate ecology, which caused a dissimilar fauna structure between and within the meander and the confluence. Furthermore, several sandy‐patches were recorded in the confluence. These patches were colonized by the particular benthic assemblage recorded in the main channel, supported the view of rivers as patchy discontinua, under uncertain ecological equilibrium. Key Points: Hydrodynamics was the driving force influencing invertebrate ecology in lotic environments of a large river floodplain There was a strong linkage between ecological structure and physical features between and within the meander and the confluence The presence and dynamics of sandy‐patches supported the ecological view of rivers as patchy discontinua