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Microcrustacean communities in streams from two physiographically contrasting regions of Britain
Author(s) -
Rundle Simon D.,
Ramsay Paul M.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2699.1997.tb00054.x
Subject(s) - streams , ecology , species richness , biogeography , habitat , benthic zone , temperate climate , canonical correspondence analysis , community structure , copepod , geography , biodiversity , biology , crustacean , computer network , computer science
. Benthic microcrustaceans were sampled from forty‐three streams in two physiographically contrasting regions of Britain: lowland southern England and upland Wales. Lowland streams had a significantly higher species richness than upland streams and, of the forty‐three copepod and cladoceran species identified, only fourteen (33%) were found in both the lowlands and uplands. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed large differences in community structure between regions and between streams within regions. Differences within regions were related to pH, the distance downstream of a site and the presence of upstream impoundments. Variables underlying the large biological differences between regions are also discussed, including differences in chemistry (ionic content), physical parameters (e.g. flow), habitat availability and the influence of species biogeography. The importance of understanding species ecology and biogeography when assessing pollution impacts on stream communities is emphasized and a model is proposed for predicting the composition of microcrustacean communities in temperate European streams.