Using macroinvertebrate assemblages and multiple stressors to infer urban stream system condition: a case study in the central US

• Published in: Urban ecosystems 2016-06, Vol.19 (2), p.679-704
• Main Authors: Nichols, John, Jason A. Hubbart, Barry C. Poulton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic ecosystems; autumn; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Case studies; correlation; Creeks & streams; Ecology; Environmental degradation; Environmental Management; Environmental studies; habitat destruction; Habitats; High flow; Invertebrates; Land use; Life Sciences; Macroinvertebrates; multivoltine habit; Nature Conservation; particle size; Pollutants; Sediments; spring; Statistical analysis; stream channels; Stream discharge; Stream flow; Streambeds; suspended sediment; Suspended sediments; Taxonomy; urban areas; Urban Ecology; Urbanization; Water quality; Watersheds
• ISSN: 1083-8155; 1573-1642
• DOI: 10.1007/s11252-016-0534-4

Characterizing the impacts of hydrologic alterations, pollutants, and habitat degradation on macroinvertebrate species assemblages is of critical value for managers wishing to categorize stream ecosystem condition. A combination of approaches including trait-based metrics and traditional bioassessments provides greater information, particularly in anthropogenic stream ecosystems where traditional approaches can be confounded by variously interacting land use impacts. Macroinvertebrates were collected from two rural and three urban nested study sites in central Missouri, USA during the spring and fall seasons of 2011. Land use responses of conventional taxonomic and trait-based metrics were compared to streamflow indices, physical habitat metrics, and water quality indices. Results show that biotic index was significantly different (p