Premium
A comparison of three artificial substrate samplers: Macroinvertebrate densities, taxa richness, and ease of use
Author(s) -
Kirk Edwin J.,
Perry Sue A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/wer.66.3.3
Subject(s) - cobble , invertebrate , chironomidae , odonata , environmental science , ecology , species richness , water column , hydrology (agriculture) , biology , geology , habitat , larva , geotechnical engineering
ABSTRACT:
Density, taxa richness, and composition of macroinvertebrates collected by three types of samplers were compared to determine their relative effectiveness for sampling in large rivers. Three multiplate samplers and three gravel basket samplers were deployed in the water column, and three large‐cobble basket samplers were deployed on the river bottom. Two sites were sampled at monthly intervals from October 1988 to November 1989. Macroinvertebrate densities were significantly (p < 0.05) different among the three sampler types. Mean monthly macroinvertebrate density was highest on the multiplate samplers at both sites—1 742 and 1 239 macroinvertebrates/m 2 and was lowest on the large‐cobble basket samplers at both sites—174 and 266 macroinvertebrates/m 2 . Mean monthly macroinvertebrate density was moderate on the gravel basket samplers at both sites—278 and 472 macroinvertebrates/m 2 . Mean monthly taxa richness was generally higher on the gravel basket and large‐cobble basket samplers than on the multiplate samplers. Multiplate samplers collected larger numbers of Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, Trichoptera, and Ephemeroptera, but were least effective at collecting Turbellaria, burrowing Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Mollusca . Gravel basket samplers collected larger numbers of Chironomidae, Oligochaeta, Crustacea, and Ephemeroptera, and in addition collected more Odonata and Mollusca . Large‐cobble basket samplers collected more burrowing Ephemeroptera .