Benthic Macro-Invertebrates of Bull Creek and Ramer Branch, Eglin AFB Reservation.
Abstract
A baseline study of benthic macro-invertebrates was conducted in Bull Creek and Ramer Branch, two streams draining test ranges used for the testing and evaluation of conventional munitions. The purpose of this study was to determine the numbers and kinds of benthic macro-invertebrates inhabiting the streams. This included an analysis of community composition, trophic structure, and seasonal and annual diversity patterns. A total of 78 taxa (mostly genera) was collected from August 1979 to June 1980. Seventy-one taxa were collected by quantitative methods (Surber sampler) and seven additional taxa were collected by qualitative methods (light trap). Aquatic insects made up 91 percent of the macro-invertebrates collected. The Diptera were the most abundant group accounting for 49 percent of the total with Chironomidae comprising from 38 to 46 percent of the total invertebrate fauna of each site. Other important groups included: Oligochaeta, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Plecoptera, Odanata, and Ephermeroptera. The faunas at the sites were similar with sites sharing from 69 to 82 percent of their taxa. The differences in the fauna among stations are probably due to site differences. The community trophic analysis showed that collectors and predators were dominant groups and had fairly constant abundances at all sites. The number of shredders was high while the numbers of filterers and scrapers were low. Functional group abundance and composition changed seasonally at each site due to the life histories of the individual insects and to stream conditions. the results of this study conform, generally, to the River Continuum model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA132946
Entities
People
- Joseph F. W. Scheiring
- Richard C. Crews