Effetti della siccità sull'abbondanza e distribuzione dei macroinvertebrati

Abstract

The role of disturbance on structuring animal communities is a central subject in the ecological research. In particular in the intermittent systems river, the drought event seems to determine the macroinvertebrate community structure. In such context, we analysed the macrobenthos of a Sardinia intermittent stream (Rio Pula, Cagliari). The study was carried out on 16 sites in 3 years (from 2000 to 2002) with seasonal samplings (spring and autumn) of the macroinvertebrate community. The results have shown a temporal stability of community and a spatial change of community structure along the river basin determined by drought frequency. Finally, patterns of spatial change in the guild composition seem to be partly in contrast with the River Continuum concept