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Relationships between habitat stability, ionic composition, and the distribution of aquatic invertebrates in the desert regions of Israel
Author(s) -
Herbst G. N.,
Bromley H. J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1984.29.3.0495
Subject(s) - invertebrate , salinity , species richness , habitat , ecology , chemical composition , aquatic ecosystem , range (aeronautics) , environmental chemistry , environmental science , chemistry , biology , materials science , organic chemistry , composite material
Biological and chemical samples were collected from aquatic habitats in the southern deserts of Israel. A wide range of chemical characteristics was found among sites. Na + and Cl ‒ were the dominant ions in springs and wells, while Ca 2+ , Mg 2 + , and HCO 3 ‒ were dominant in rockpools. Greatest species richness was found at intermediate salinities (chlorinity = 1,000 mg·liter ‒1 ; conductivity = 5.00 mS·cm ‒1 ). The relative ionic composition also influences community structure. It is suggested that habitat instability structures the invertebrate community and is a strong selective force for salinity tolerance and euryhalinity.