Abstract
Macroinvertebrates’ response to hydromorphological alterations and regulated flows along lowland rivers is still poorly known
despite ecohydrology’s fundamental role in river science. Along the Oglio River (Northern Italy), several water abstractions and
dams break it into segments with varying hydraulic and morphological properties. Three types of a priori different environments
were identified (dammed, downstream and free flowing sections), and macroinvertebrate communities were sampled from each
zone. This study aimed (i) to investigate patterns of macroinvertebrate communities along a regulated lowland river by testing the
a priori zones; (ii) to find macroinvertebrate taxa that served as indicators of the various hydrological conditions and (iii) to verify
hydromorphological control over ecological macroinvertebrate traits resulting in different trait values in each identified zone.
Macroinvertebrate community was characterized in a total of 63 stations by means of two quantitative approaches, each
exploring a surface of 0.5m2. The lowest richness values were found in dammed sites that tended toward lentic conditions.
Ecnomidae (dammed zones), Limoniidae (downstream zones) and Heptageniidae (free flowing section) were identified as the
best indicators of varying hydrological conditions. As suggested by the results of 4th Corner Method, environmental constraints
define communities with different ecological traits. These results highlight hydromorphological control over macroinvertebrate
community structure and reflect how regulated flows affect the Oglio River in terms of biodiversity, indicator taxa and ecological
traits. The authors wish to stress the importance of considering the ecological effects of dams and impoundments on river
systems in upstream areas as well as downstream.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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pagine (da-a) | 366-377 |
Numero di pagine | 12 |
Rivista | Ecohydrology |
Volume | 7 |
Numero di pubblicazione | 2 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - apr 2014 |
Pubblicato esternamente | Sì |