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A MULTI-ASSEMBLAGE INDEX OF STREAM INTEGRITY: WHAT ARE THE FISH, BUGS, AND ALGAE TELLING US?
Citation:
Hill, B. H., F H. McCormick, M. B. Griffith, A. T. Herlihy, P R. Kaufmann, J L. Stoddard, AND R. M. Hughes. A MULTI-ASSEMBLAGE INDEX OF STREAM INTEGRITY: WHAT ARE THE FISH, BUGS, AND ALGAE TELLING US? 2004 EMAP Symposium, Newport, RI, May 3-7, 2004.
Description:
Three different taxonomic assemblages have been proposed for use in the biological monitoring and assessment of water quality and stream biological integrity: fishm macroinvertebrates, and periphyton. All three assemblages can be eficiently collected with established methods, are distinct and generally taxonomically-diverse subgroups of stream connumities, and respond predictably to changes in stream quality. However, differences in the physiology, life-history, and biogeography of the taxa in these assemblages may effect their responses to changes in stream quality. Algae and cyanobacteria composing periphyton assemblages have generation times of hours to days. Macroinvertebrates, particularyl aquatic insects, have, have generation times of weeks to several years, while those of fish are longer, generally a year or more. Algae and cyanobacteria may be relatively ubiquitous across geographic regions, while fish and macroinvertebrate species are more limited geographically. The recolonization mechanisms for these assemblages following disturbance differ, too.
Recolonization by periphyton is largely by passive dispersal with currents followed by reproduction. For macroinvertebrates, recolonization occurs by active dispersal within the stream drainage. Also, their positions in the stream food web differ. Algae and cyanobacteria are premarily autotrophic, primary producers, while macroinverterates and fish are heterotrophic, primary or secondary consumers. Game fish species can be tertiary consumers.