Macroinvertebrates of Luxapalila Creek, Mississippi and Alabama, 1987-89

Abstract

A survey of the macroinvertebrate community of four pools and four riffles in Luxapalila Creek, Mississippi and Alabama, was conducted in 1987-89. The purpose was to collect preconstruction data before the creek is impacted by selective clearing and snagging, bank protection, construction of notched sills, and a fabric dam. Luxapalila Creek can be characterized as exhibiting high macroinvertebrate species richness, diversity, and equitable distribution of chironomid (midge) larvae and oligochaete (worm) species. These two groups dominated the fauna and comprised 77 and 62 percent of the macroinvertebrates in pools and riffles, respectively. Total macroinvertebrate density was lower although more stable in pools (6,433-7,229 individuals/sq m) than in riffles where it was higher and more variable (9,662-28,820 individuals/sq m). Species richness of chironomids appeared to be greater in pools than riffles probably because of drift out of riffles and into pools.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA232870

Entities

People

  • Andrew C. Miller
  • Barry S. Payne
  • C. R. Bingham
  • Christina Miller-way

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemistry
  • Communities
  • Construction
  • Drainage Basins
  • Engineers
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Fish
  • Grain Size
  • Habitats
  • Mississippi
  • New York
  • North America
  • Sites
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • Water Quality
  • Wildlife

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Riverine Ecology