Macroinvertebrates in tropical streams

What is it about?

The benthic macroinvertebrate fauna and main abiotic parameters were studied to understand the patterns of diversity and structure along the temporal and longitudinal gradients in two tropical lotic ecosystems in the wet and dry zones of Sri Lanka. Invertebrate abundance (annual means) was in the same magnitude in the two streams. Along the longitudinal gradient, abundance and taxa richness in the wet zone stream increased towards the lower reaches but decreased in the dry zone stream. Composition of functional feeding groups was greatly influenced by abiotic factors in the temporal gradient than in the longitudinal gradient. This was possibly due to the seasonal patterns of flow regimes, and allochthonous nutrient inputs into the streams.

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Why is it important?

Resource management and conservation as well as attempts of ecological assessment in lotic habitats should be based not only on the in-stream characteristics but also on the catchment properties.