Temporal and spatial responses of Chironomidae (Diptera) and other benthic invertebrates to urban stormwater runoff

Susan E. Gresens; Ken Belt; Jamie A. Tang; Daniel C. Gwinn; Patricia A. Banks

doi:10.1007/s10750-006-0366-y

Treesearch

Temporal and spatial responses of Chironomidae (Diptera) and other benthic invertebrates to urban stormwater runoff

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Susan E. Gresens, Ken Belt, Jamie A. Tang, Daniel C. Gwinn, Patricia A. Banks

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0366-y

Source:

Hydrobiologia. 575:173-190.

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Abstract

In a longitudinal study of two streams whose lower reaches received unattenuated urban stormwater runoff, physical disturbance by stormflow was less important than the persistant unidentified chemical impacts of urban stormwater in limiting the distribution of Chironomidae, and Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Plecoptera (EPT). A hierarchical spatial analysis showed that chironomid density did not decrease from rural to urban stream reaches. Instead, the taxonomic composition of chironomid assemblages was significantly altered in urban versus rural reaches; chironomid assemblages in urban reaches exhibited higher average pollution tolerance scores. In contrast, the density of EPT was significantly lower in urban reaches. Despite higher values of stormflow tractive force in urban reaches, streambed stability tended to be greater in urban reaches.

Keywords

chironomid, macroinvertebrate, urban stream, runoff, disturbance

Citation

Gresens, Susan E.; Belt, Kenneth T.; Tang, Jamie A.; Gwinn, Daniel C.; Banks, Patricia A. 2007. Temporal and spatial responses of Chironomidae (Diptera) and other benthic invertebrates to urban stormwater runoff. Hydrobiologia. 575:173-190.