Breakdown and invertebrate colonization of dead wood in wetland, upland, and river habitats

Breakdown of woody debris in river and upland habitats as well as the interactions between wood and invertebrates have been well described. Studies of wood in wetlands are rare, and far less is known about breakdown and invertebrate use of wood in these transitional habitats. This study experimentally assessed breakdown and invertebrate colonization of wood in a floodplain wetland and directly related patterns in the wetland to adjacent river and upland habitats. Over a 2.7 year period, we monitored breakdown and invertebrate presence in 10 cm diameter × 150 cm long sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) logs in a floodplain wetland (n = 8), river (n = 5), and upland (n = 4) habitat. Mass loss, decay condition change, and C/N ratios of wetland wood more closely resembled upland than river wood. The overall invertebrate assemblage associated with wetland wood was also more similar to that associated with upland than river wood. Breakdown and invertebrate colonization of wood in the floodplain wetland shared more characteristics with upland than river wood, perhaps because of the seasonal nature of flooding in the wetland. However, the ecology of wood in wetlands also had unique characteristics compared with either the uplands or the river

Aquatic macroinvertebrate response to short-term habitat loss in experimental pools in Thailand

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Invertebrates Associated with Coarse Woody Debris in Streams, Upland Forests, and Wetlands: A Review

Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 30 and 31, Athens, Georgia.We reviewed literature on the invertebrate groups associated with coarse woody debris in forests, streams, and wetlands, and contrasted patterns of invertebrate community development and wood decomposition among these ecosystems.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Insttitute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors

Efficacy of four different sampling methods of wetland macroinvertebrates

Various samplers originally designed for sampling macroinvertebrates in aquatic ecosystems have been modified for use in wetlands with moderate success. Smaller, quantitative samplers often do not capture rare and mobile organisms whereas larger, qualitative samplers do not allow for density estimates. Sorting time is another important variable in deciding sampling regimes. This study examines the efficacy of four invertebrate samplers in three different wetlands.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult

Salamander predation on aquatic macroinvertebrates

In fishless habitats, salamanders often compete with and are predators of macroinvertebrates. Studies on the effects of these interactions, however, are limited. Much of the research has instead been focused on microinvertebrate prey, or has been focused within a single family of salamanders. Although results are mixed, some studies suggest that these interactions can significantly affect macroinvertebrate communities.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult

A Study of Invertebrates along a Gradient of Floodplains in the Altamaha River Watershed

Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 23-24, 2003, at the University of Georgia.The objective of this on-going study is to develop a theoretical framework to explain the graded change of invertebrate assemblages in riverine floodplain wetlands from the headwaters to the lower river reaches. We predict that floodplains in the upper reaches of the watershed will have flood pulses linked to local storm events and will be short in duration, and thus invertebrate assemblages will be dominated largely by movements of opportunistic riverine or terrestrial organisms into the wetlands. Downstream communities will consist increasingly of obligate wetland invertebrates since inundation periods become longer and more predictable in the lower reaches of the watershed, allowing sufficient time for wetland communities to develop. To test this hypothesis, we are examining invertebrate populations at nine floodplain sites in the Oconee/Altamaha River Watershed along a continuum of streams and rivers from low to high discharge. Floodplain invertebrates are essential in modifying, storing and transporting organic matter in and between wetland and riverine systems. Unfortunately, the wetland habitats upon which these invertebrates depend are among Georgia’s most threatened. The information developed from this study will contribute towards informing management decisions affecting invertebrates and other animals in floodplains of the Southeast

Invertebrates as Bioindicators of Mercury in the Okefenokee Swamp of Southeast Georgia

Proceedings of the 2001 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 26 and 27, 2001, Athens, Georgia.Concerns have developed about elevated levels of mercury in wetland vertebrates. It is suspected that mercury moves through wetland food webs and bioaccumulates in top predators. The objective of this study was to examine mercury concentrations in the Okefenokee Swamp of southeast Georgia, focusing on levels in invertebrates. We collected amphipods, odonates, and crayfish, three groups that are important in the Okefenokee food webs, and determined mercury levels in their tissues. Although amphipods are lower on the food chain, higher levels of mercury were detected in amphipod tissues than in odonates or crayfish.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202. The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397) or the other conference sponsors

Woody Debris as a Resource for Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Stream and River Habitats of the Southeastern United States: a Review

Proceedings of the 2011 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 11, 12, and 13, 2011, Athens, Georgia.Woody debris can be a valuable resource for stream macroinvertebrates both directly and indirectly as a source of food or substrate. We review the literature on woody debris-macroinvertebrate interactions in three ecoregions in the Southeastern U.S. Studies on streams in the Coastal Plain ecoregion, which tend to be sandy or muddy, indicate that woody debris is valuable as substrate. Studies on streams in the Appalachian ecoregion, which tend to have abundant stable rocky substrate, indicate that woody debris is more important for its role in altering flow dynamics, which diversifies habitat, and accumulating organic matter, which serves as food. Relevant studies on streams in the Piedmont ecoregion, which tend to have substrate intermediate between Appalachian and Coastal Plane streams, are limited. Current data suggests it is not as important as riffle habitat to all but a few taxa.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources FacultyThis book was published by Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2152. The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-307) or the other conference sponsors

Relationships Among Soil Lithology, Timber Harvest and the Hydrology of Coastal Plain Depressional Wetlands

Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 30 and 31, Athens, Georgia.Piezometric data and soil data are being collected within and around a group of Coastal Plain depressional wetlands located in commercial timber land in Effingham County, GA. The water level data is being used to determine how differences in soil lithology affect the hydroperiods, especially the start and end of dry periods. The data is also being used to compare the hydroperiods among wetlands with differing ages of adjacent tree stands. The pine forests around these wetlands are harvested on a 20-25 year cycle, and the chemistry and understory of these wetlands respond dramatically and immediately to adjacent timber harvest. The role of hydrologic change in these chemical and plant community responses is being investigated as part of this project.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Insttitute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors

Macroinvertebrates in headwater streams of the Piedmont

The objective of this study is to develop reference standards for headwater streams in the Piedmont physiographic region of Georgia. We predict that these standards will be influenced by physical parameters of the stream ecosystem, including historical sedimentation from agriculture. Streams with similar substrates might contain similar aquatic macroinvertebrate communities, but those with different substrates may differ significantly.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult