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Chironomid communities in small prairie ponds: some characteristics and controls
Author(s) -
DRIVER E. A.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1977.tb01663.x
Subject(s) - ecology , plant community , community structure , environmental science , chironomidae , water level , species diversity , biology , geography , species richness , cartography , larva
SUMMARY. In a study of small prairie ponds in Central Saskatchewan, chironomid diversity was dependent on the stage of development of the plant community within a moisture gradient. Changes in the moisture regime affect the plant community directly, which in turn influences the diversity of the chironomid community. Rapid or complete water level reduction in a pond maintains a very simple chironomid community, three to ten species, and a simple plant community of two to three dominant species. Increased water levels eliminate emergent and submergent plants, thereby eliminating those chironomid species which live in association with the plants. Pond morphometry (mean depth, maximum depth, surface area) and water chemistry (pH and bicarbonate) showed positive relationships with chironomid diversity. The precise nature of these relationships was not determined. Chironomid diversity increases gradually from very temporary ponds to permanent ponds, therefore, chironomids can be used as indicators of pond permanency.