Residual pools and dry streambed as refugia for macroinvertebrates of intermittent streams
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| Year of publication | 2021 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Since stream intermittency is becoming more frequent, species need to either survive stranded in moist stream bed sediment, or retreat into remnant pools and hope for the best. We assessed the role of these two refuge types by comparing their community composition with spring and autumn communities on 6 different streams. Results indicate, that taxonomic composition of summer dry streambed and residual pool samples are much more diversified than spring or autumn samples. Probably in reaction to diverse and changing environmental conditions. Mean number of species surviving from all taxa of each stream in remnant pools was around 10 % and similarly 10 % in dry streambed. Around 15 % of species were found during flowing phase and in one or both of our refuge type samples. As we see, the role of residual pools and dry streambed as refuges for macroinvertabrates in intermittent streams should not be overlooked in river management and can serve to argue for their protection, even during dry phase. This research was supported by INTER-EXCELLENCE COST project INTERSTREAM (LTC17017), Czech Science Foundation (P505-20-17305S) and university specific research MUNI/A/1581/2020. |
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