Issue |
Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.
Volume 39, Number 3, September 2003
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 219 - 237 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/limn/2003018 | |
Published online | 15 March 2009 |
A classification of semi-natural northern prealpine river stretches based on chironomid communities
Orendt Hydrobiologie WaterBioAssessment, Steinstr. 37, 04275 Leipzig, Germany.
Corresponding author: orendt@t-online.de
Using cluster analysis, ecological profiles of the species, and the (Diamesinae + Orthocladiinae) / Chironominae ratios, prealpine rivers were classified by their chironomid communities based on 338 species: (1) summer-cold mountain rivers (Isar, Salzach, Inn/Mühldorf), (2) summer-warm moraine-stretches (Würm, Alz/moraine rupture, Amper, Altmühl), (3) the summerwarm lowland river Upper Alz (lake outlet and the stretch to Altenmarkt village), (4) the lower section of the river Inn regulated by dams, which is dominated by a littoral community. The river Upper Alz is faunistically differentiated along it’s course. Classification of river stretches is predominantly explained by rhithral and eurytope species. Potamal and littoral species had no effect on classification. The results suggest that water temperature is the most important factor of the chironomid-based river classification, which is in harmony with studies by Rossaro (1992) and Lindegaard & Brodersen (1995). Locally, other morphological parameters as reach slope and substrate may be important factors as well. However, further data are needed to clarify their role in species distribution.
Key words: Chironomidae / classification / rivers / reference conditions / stream sections
© Université Paul Sabatier, 2003
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.