Microcrustacean communities in streams from two physiographically contrasting regions of Britain
Simon D. Rundle,
Paul M. Ramsay,
Corresponding Author
Simon D. Rundle
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, U.K.
Corresponding author: Dr S. D. Rundle, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorPaul M. Ramsay
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, U.K.
Search for more papers by this authorSimon D. Rundle,
Paul M. Ramsay,
Corresponding Author
Simon D. Rundle
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, U.K.
Corresponding author: Dr S. D. Rundle, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, U.K.Search for more papers by this authorPaul M. Ramsay
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, U.K.
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT. Benthic microcrustaceans were sampled from forty-three streams in two physiographically contrasting regions of Britain: lowland southern England and upland Wales. Lowland streams had a significantly higher species richness than upland streams and, of the forty-three copepod and cladoceran species identified, only fourteen (33%) were found in both the lowlands and uplands. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed large differences in community structure between regions and between streams within regions. Differences within regions were related to pH, the distance downstream of a site and the presence of upstream impoundments. Variables underlying the large biological differences between regions are also discussed, including differences in chemistry (ionic content), physical parameters (e.g. flow), habitat availability and the influence of species biogeography. The importance of understanding species ecology and biogeography when assessing pollution impacts on stream communities is emphasized and a model is proposed for predicting the composition of microcrustacean communities in temperate European streams.
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