Effects of water transfer on aquatic insects in a stream in Hong Kong

Hong Kong streams serve as indirect catchments for storage reservoirs to which they are connected by a network of undergound tunnels. Water transfer to reservoirs reduces stream flow downstream of the extraction point, and surface flows may disappear in affected reaches during the dry season. The ecological effects of periodic dewatering on aquatic insects were investigated in Tai Po Kau Forest Stream, Hong Kong, where water extraction at a weir gives rise to intermittent flow immediately downstream of a well studied perennial stream section. Benthic samples were taken from the intermittent reach on 48 occasions over a two year period encompassing two dry seasons. Trends in total population densities were unclear, with considerable fluctuations over the study period. In contrast, species richness declined markedly after surface flow disappeared, reaching the lowest values at the end of both dry seasons. A rapid increase accompanied flow resumption on the onset of the summer monsoon, and maximum wet season values were up to five times greater than species richness during the dry season. Dry season declines in Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were accompanied by a dramatic increase in Coleoptera (Elmidae and especially Helodidae). The situation was reversed during the wet season when Trichoptera (especially Cheumatopsyche and Chimarra) and Ephemeroptera (Leptophlebiidae, Baetidae and Heptageniidae) were numerous. Community structure in the intermittent reach recovered quickly from the dewatering disturbance, due largely to recolonization by drifting animals. At the scale investigated, the community was resilient to disturbance because a source of mobile colonists was available upstream. However, if dewatering affects reaches far downstream, the presence of suitable colonists in upstream reaches cannot be guaranteed, and recovery from disturbance will be delayed. Lowland streams in Hong Kong are often polluted and host to exotic species; in such circumstances the effects of water transfers are exacerbated and recolonization is hindered.     

Comparison of macroinvertebrate assemblages across a gradient of flow permanence in an agricultural watershed

In the south‐eastern United States and globally, increasing human water demand coupled with climate change is diminishing stream flows and increasing stream intermittency in many watersheds. We characterized benthic invertebrate assemblages across a stream flow gradient ranging from intermittent to perennial following a multiyear drought by examining the functional traits that can influence assemblage response to drying. We sampled 13 reaches within the Lower Flint River Basin in south‐western Georgia, from September to December 2013. Reaches included perennial, near‐perennial (ceased flowing but maintained a wetted channel during drought), intermittent‐dry (seasonally dry), and intermittent‐frequent (frequently dry). Distinct assemblages were documented across this gradient. Reaches that dried during the drought had a lower richness of aquatic insects, especially Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa, partly due to inadequate time for life cycle completion and lack of adaptations to avoid drying. Intermittent reaches also included abundant and unique noninsect taxa such as Gammarus spp. and Isopoda. Projected trends towards increased water demand and drought severity and frequency in the south‐eastern United States will magnify shifts towards dominance by drought‐tolerant taxa as greater portions of stream networks become intermittent.     

Stay with the flow: How macroinvertebrate communities recover during the rewetting phase in Alpine streams affected by an exceptional drought

Droughts are affecting an increasing number of lotic ecosystems worldwide due to the combined effects of climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Unlike naturally intermittent rivers, where the drying phase is a part of the annual flow regime, water scarcity in Alpine rivers represents a relatively recent phenomenon and, therefore, a major threat for the biodiversity of these lotic ecosystems. However, Alpine stream community response to drought is still poorly investigated. Here, we assess the recovery of macroinvertebrates in two Alpine streams after a supraseasonal drought. As water returned, a total of 10 sampling sessions were carried out, and temporal patterns in diversity, density, and taxonomic composition of benthic communities, as well as in the percentage of functional feeding groups, were investigated. We found that the resistance of invertebrate communities in Alpine streams is generally low: drought markedly reduced the diversity and density of macroinvertebrates. Conversely, our results suggest that the passive dispersal by drift from the upstream river sections seems the most probable mechanism promoting the post‐drought recovery. Nevertheless, this resilience ability appears to be stream specific and influenced by intrinsic stream characteristics, including the flow permanence and distance from the nearest upstream perennial reach. This work sheds light on the ecological consequences of droughts on macroinvertebrate communities. As flow intermittency in Alpine areas is expected to intensify under current global change scenarios, results of this study provide important information to predict changes in the taxonomic composition and diversity of macroinvertebrate communities.     

Biofilm early stage development in two nutrient‐rich streams with different urban impacts

The aim of this study was to describe the colonization of the biofilm during its early stages under different concentrations of nutrients and organic matter, specifically in urban streams influenced by agriculture and urbanization. We hypothesized that in a stream with higher concentrations of nutrients and organic matter, the initial biomass growth would be faster, and the changes in the structure of the community would be greater. Sterile glass substrates were placed in 2 urban streams that differed in nutrient and organic matter concentrations; samples were collected during their first week of colonization to measure total biomass, bacterial biomass, chlorophyll a, activity of the electron transfer system, and the community composition. Results show that biofilm development in both streams began within a few hours and differed under different conditions of nutrients; in the stream with a better water quality, the colonization dynamics consisted of 2 increments of bacterial biomass linked with an increase of algal biomass. In the urban stream with higher nutrient and organic matter concentrations, biofilm development was slower and consisted of a simultaneous increase of bacteria and algae, consistent with a lower electron transfer system activity. Therefore, the dynamics of the colonization process in addition to those characteristics of the fully developed biofilm could have potential applications in water monitoring of urban streams.     

EFFECTS OF BENTHIC HABITAT RESTORATION ON NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND ECOSYSTEM METABOLISM IN THREE HEADWATER STREAMS

The assemblage of stream habitat types can drive biofilm composition and activity in headwater streams, thereby influencing rates of ecosystem function. However, the influence of human‐induced alterations to the distribution of benthic habitat such as construction, land‐use changes and restoration on biofilm‐mediated processes has not been well studied. We measured nutrient uptake of ammonium, nitrate and phosphate, as well as gross primary production and community respiration in three streams in Michigan, USA, each with an upstream reference and a downstream restored reach. The restoration included a 10‐m sediment trap, paired with 40–60 m of gravel and boulder added downstream and designed to retain sediment, stabilize banks and provide spawning habitat for trout. We sampled four times in the six stream reaches from May 2006 to September 2007. Across streams, restored reaches reflected the structural manipulation with increased predominance of coarse inorganic sediments, higher gas exchange rate and increased transient storage. However, nutrient uptake and community respiration rates were different between reaches at only one site. The ecosystem response by this stream was driven by the large differences in coarse inorganic habitat between reference and restored reaches. We conclude that restorations of benthic habitat which are visually conspicuous, such as creation of settling pools and gravel‐filled reaches, did not universally affect stream ecosystem function. Initial conditions and magnitude of change may be key factors to consider in explaining functional responses, and predicting the influence of habitat restoration on ecosystem function remains a challenge. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new MONERIS in-Stream Retention Module to Account Nutrient Budget of a Temporary River in Cyprus

The nature of the nutrient budget for temporary rivers differs from that for permanent rivers because of the restricted nature of flow, the lack of adequate dilution, and weather conditions which are conducive to the development of algal blooms. We analyse the nutrient budget of three tributaries of a temporary river in Cyprus, the Kouris, with the aid of the MONERIS model. MONERIS in-stream retention module was modified to account for a 1-dimensional advection - dispersion pollutants transport rather than the general mass balance equation for mixed reactors. TRS plot classified Kryos stream as an Intermittent flow – Dry (I-D) stream (hydrologically altered) and Kouris and Limnatis as Intermittent – Pool (I-P) streams that need different lumped parameterization in MONERIS simulation. Point sources are important for nitrogen (64 %) and phosphorous emissions (22 %), and diffuse sources for nitrogen via erosion (15 %) and free grazing (12 %) and for phosphorous via free grazing (8 %). We estimate that around 40 % of N and 88 % of P entering streams is retained in the stream. An analysis of the model uncertainty and sensitivity to input data indicates that MONERIS model, even in semi-arid areas, may be used for the purpose of managing river basins.     

Massive Growth of the Invasive Algae Didymosphenia Geminata Associated with Discharges from a Mountain Reservoir Alters the Taxonomic and Functional Structure of Macroinvertebrate Community

The objective of this paper is to determine the alteration of the taxonomic composition and functional structure of macroinvertebrate community associated with a massive growth of the invasive algae Didymosphenia geminata downstream of a mountain reservoir (Pajares Reservoir, La Rioja, Northern Spain). As the massive growth of the alga disappears a few kilometres downstream of the reservoir associated with the input of nutrients from a nearby village sewage, we may compare the community composition between nine stations in three different conditions: three stations heavily affected by the presence of D. geminata, three further downstream stations without the algal massive growth but affected by river regulation and three control stations (unregulated and without the algae). Results show a significant disturbance of the composition and structure of macroinvertebrate community in sites affected by the stream flow regulation downstream of the dam compared with unregulated streams, but the alterations are more dramatic in the area where the growth of D. geminata is massive because of the total substrate occupation by the algal filaments. Scrapers and others invertebrates living on the coarse substrate are especially affected at such sites. Moreover, an important increase in the relative abundance of chironomids is associated with the algal massive growth, especially in case of Eukiefferiella devonica and Cricotopus spp., reducing the assemblage diversity and leading to the taxonomic and functional homogenization of the community. Changes in the reservoir management (such as releasing the water from surface rather than from the hypolimnion) may be useful to control the massive growth of D. geminata and thus reducing the effects of river regulation on macroinvertebrate assemblage composition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecological effects of groundwater pumping and a natural drought on the upper reaches of a chalk stream

The ecological effects are examined of a three-month test of a groundwater pumping scheme, which augmented flow in a chalk stream in autumn 1975. The impact on the macrophytes and invertebrates in the upper perennial stream which received pumped water were found to be minimal. After pumping ceased, a dry winter and spring led on to a major drought in summer 1976. This prompted operational use of the groundwater pumping scheme in late summer 1976 prior to heavy winter rains which resulted in a return to the normal pattern of discharge in 1977. The ecological effects of the drought, the operational pumping and its aftermath are assessed on three channel reaches: the intermittent zone of the stream, which remained dry throughout 1976; the upper perennial channel where changes in flow regime were most severe; and the lower perennial section of the stream. Drying of the intermittent section for over one year had more severe effects on the invertebrates and fish populations than on the macrophytes, which recovered rapidly after the return of flow. In the upper perennial section, the drought led to siltation of the river-bed, loss of macrophytes and limited habitat diversity for the invertebrate fauna. Further downstream, effects were still detectable, though less severe. Operational pumping brought immediate benefit to the perennial stream by increasing the river width, removing silt and encouraging growth of macrophytes, which provided habitat and food resources for invertebrates. However, in the upper perennial reach, where siltation and loss of macrophytes had been severe, regrowth of macrophytes was slow and the effects of the drought on both macrophytes and invertebrates were still apparent in autumn 1977. It is proposed that a pumping policy that maintains river flow above the level at which siltation and subsequent loss of macrophytes occurs could minimize undesirable ecological effects of extreme low flows.     

Mass Dispersal of Terrestrial Organisms During First Flush Events in a Temporary Stream

Temporary streams expand and contract seasonally, forming a complex mosaic of aquatic, amphibic and terrestrial habitats. We studied the terrestrial arthropod fauna at the surface of the dry river bed as well as the fauna of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter (CPOM) deposits 0, 5 and 10 days after first flush events (years 2004–2006) along the Pardiela stream (SE Portugal). During the dry period, large amounts of organic material accumulated at the surface of the dry bed, colonized by abundant terrestrial arthropods (mean density: 13.3 ± 15.29 Ind g DM (Dry Mass of CPOM)). Arthropod density peaked in fresh flood deposits (mean density: 35.8 ± 33.4 Ind g DM), and subsequently decreased within time. Concurrently, the relative composition of the arthropod community changed from Day 0 to Day 10. The present results demonstrated that the dry bed of temporary streams served as a major habitat for terrestrial arthropods. During the first flush events, a mass dispersal of terrestrial arthropods, rafting on floating CPOM, occurred, subsequently forming distinct deposits along the channel margin. These deposits may constitute critical habitats, refugia and food resources for local and regional terrestrial arthropod assemblages. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE RESPONSE TO HABITAT RESTORATION IN A CONSTRUCTED ARCTIC STREAM

We examined the ability of engineered rock structures to enhance the productive capacity of benthic macroinvertebrates 2 years after their installation in a constructed stream in the Northwest Territories, Canada. We used a control‐impact design to compare biological attributes of the structures to those of riffles in natural reference streams and among individual structures. The biomass of epilithon and coarse particulate organic matter, cover by bryophytes and macrophytes and volume of woody debris, however, were similar at structures and unenhanced control sites in the constructed stream and lower than at riffles in reference streams. Total macroinvertebrate density and densities of Chironomidae, Nematoda and Oligochaeta did not differ among engineered structures, unenhanced sites and reference riffles. In contrast, reference streams supported higher densities of Simuliidae and Ephemeroptera compared with engineered structures and unenhanced sites within the channel. Total biomass, biomass of Chironomidae, non‐chironomid Diptera and combined biomasses of (i) Nematoda, Oligochaeta and Turbellaria and (ii) Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Hemiptera from reference riffles exceeded those at engineered structures. Density and biomass of macroinvertebrates varied within and among structure types and were highest at one of two ramps, one of two vanes and at the single groin compared with other structures. In the majority of cases, density and biomass of macroinvertebrates from individual structures were less than those at reference streams. These results suggest that engineered structures had variable effects on the productive capacity of benthic macroinvertebrates of the constructed streams and may be related to the extent that structures provided habitat conditions characteristic of reference riffles. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2011. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Natural Resources.     

Effects of stream flow intermittency on riparian vegetation of a semiarid region river (San Pedro River,Arizona)

The San Pedro River in the southwestern United States retains a natural flood regime and has several reaches with perennial stream flow and shallow ground water. However, much of the river flows intermittently. Urbanization‐linked declines in regional ground‐water levels have raised concerns over the future status of the riverine ecosystem in some parts of the river, while restoration‐linked decreases in agricultural ground‐water pumping are expected to increase stream flows in other parts. This study describes the response of the streamside herbaceous vegetation to changes in stream flow permanence. During the early summer dry season, streamside herbaceous cover and species richness declined continuously across spatial gradients of flow permanence, and composition shifted from hydric to mesic species at sites with more intermittent flow. Hydrologic threshold values were evident for one plant functional group: Schoenoplectus acutus, Juncus torreyi, and other hydric riparian plants declined sharply in cover with loss of perennial stream flow. In contrast, cover of mesic riparian perennials (including Cynodon dactylon, an introduced species) increased at sites with intermittent flow. Patterns of hydric and mesic riparian annuals varied by season: in the early summer dry season their cover declined continuously as flow became more intermittent, while in the late summer wet season their cover increased as the flow became more intermittent. Periodic drought at the intermittent sites may increase opportunities for establishment of these annuals during the monsoonal flood season. During the late summer flood season, stream flow was present at most sites, and fewer vegetation traits were correlated with flow permanence; cover and richness were correlated with other environmental factors including site elevation and substrate nitrate level and particle size. Although perennial‐flow and intermittent‐flow sites support different streamside plant communities, all of the plant functional groups are abundant at perennial‐flow sites when viewing the ecosystem at broader spatial and temporal scales: mesic riparian perennials are common in the floodplain zone adjacent to the river channel and late‐summer hydric and mesic annuals are periodically abundant after large floods. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crayfish assemblages correlate with dam-induced effects on abiotic factors and predatory fish assemblages in Alabama streams

Stream faunal assemblage structure is tied closely to hydrology and associated physiochemical properties. By altering natural flows, dams and their impoundments impact faunal assemblages over long distances. Although numerous studies have assessed the effect of dams on stream fauna, information is lacking for crayfishes. In this study, we characterized the effects of relatively large storage dams on crayfish assemblage structures. Over 2 years, we sampled three impounded and two unimpounded streams across two drainages in Alabama, United States, to identify biotic and abiotic factors correlated with crayfish assemblage metrics. Compared to impounded streams, unimpounded streams had greater habitat complexity (e.g., aquatic vegetation and woody debris), fewer predator fishes, lower minimum temperatures, and more variable discharges. These characteristics correlated with a higher density and diversity of crayfishes and smaller adults in impounded compared to unimpounded streams. Crayfish species assemblages differed between drainages, as did the biotic and abiotic factors affecting crayfish assemblages in each drainage, suggesting that these factors were species-specific in their effects. Additionally, analysis of land uses suggested that factors other than dams may have also contributed to the observed differences in assemblage structures between impounded and unimpounded streams. For instance, in the more urbanized drainage, crayfish assemblages were more similar between up and downstream sections in all streams, regardless of impoundment. Our results indicate that large dams alter stream crayfish assemblage structure, with potentially cascading effects in trophic and organic matter dynamics both up and downstream.     

Associations of watershed vegetation and environmental variables with fish and crayfish assemblages in headwater streams of the Pedernales River,Texas

Intermittent headwater streams serve important functions for humans and wildlife in semi‐arid rangelands. Increases in ashe juniper coverage in central Texas over recent decades are believed to have negatively impacted stream flows. Few studies have examined relationships between aquatic species and environmental factors in these systems as well as the influence of juniper coverage on assemblage structure. During summer 2003 and spring 2004, we examined species–environment relationships to infer potential effects of juniper cover on aquatic ecology relative to local‐scale and watershed‐scale environmental variables. Fish and crayfish species assemblages and physicochemical variables were investigated in spring‐fed headwater tributaries of the Pedernales River, Texas. Fish abundance was much higher in summer 2003, whereas crayfish abundance was higher in spring 2004. Fish species richness was lower during spring 2004, possibly due to below average precipitation during spring 2004 that reduced deep‐water refugia. Higher abundance of crayfish in spring 2004 samples was probably due to their ability to survive low‐flow conditions, and a release from fish predation pressure. Fish assemblage structure was more strongly associated with local abiotic factors during spring 2004 when flow was reduced, whereas structure during summer 2003 samples suggested a relatively greater influence of predation. In general, juniper cover was weakly associated with fish and crayfish assemblages, although it tended to be positively associated with relatively high‐quality habitat for sensitive taxa (flowing runs with coarse substrate; deep, connected pools). We suggest that intermediate levels of juniper cover in the region provide indirect benefits to aquatic organisms. However, short‐term, local environmental factors appear to have a much greater influence than watershed vegetation on fish and crayfish assemblages in these intermittent streams. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Invertebrate response to impacts of water diversion and flow regulation in high‐altitude tropical streams

Water supply systems are critical infrastructure that provides food and energy security for developed societies. The operation of reservoirs (flow regulation) and water intakes (water diversion) has known negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems; however, quantification of ecological impacts and examination of these two types of flow alteration remain a developing area of research. We investigated the individual and combined impact of flow regulation and water diversion on stream ecosystem integrity, the freshwater macroinvertebrate community, and the population structure of flow‐sensitive insects. For 2 years, we monitored quarterly discharge, physical and chemical stream conditions, and benthic invertebrates of four high‐altitude tropical streams that are part of the water supply system of Quito, Ecuador. Flow regulation caused a loss of the hydrological seasonality of these streams, including a decrease in stream depth and biotic quality. Water diversion caused a decrease in dissolved oxygen and overall ecosystem integrity. Freshwater invertebrate density and richness decreased as a result of water diversion and flow regulation. The combined flow alteration in these streams decreased the density of nymphal stages of the widely distributed mayfly Andesiops peruvianus. Given the societal needs for food and energy security, water management for diversion (e.g., irrigation) and in‐line storage practices (e.g., hydroelectric dams) are anticipated to increase. This research suggests that the negative environmental impacts of flow alteration could be mitigated with discharge releases designed to approximate the natural hydrologic regime of undisturbed streams.     

Management of agricultural practices results in declines of filamentous algae in the lake littoral

Filamentous algal cover was quantified during periods of peak biomass from 2001 to 2007 in six littoral macrophyte beds in Conesus Lake, New York (USA). Three of the study sites were adjacent to streams that drained sub-watersheds where extensive agricultural best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce nutrient runoff were implemented beginning in 2003. Three other study sites were downstream from sub-watersheds where only a few or no BMPs were implemented by landowners. For the sites that received extensive management, comparisons of the Pre-BMP baseline period (2–3 yrs) to the Post-BMP period (4 yrs) revealed that algal cover was statistically lower than baseline in eight of eleven years (72.7%). For the three sites where limited or no management was implemented, the percent cover of filamentous algae was lower than Pre-BMP baseline levels in only three of twelve years (25%). Where major reductions in cover of filamentous algae occurred, positive relationships existed with summer stream loading of nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus to the nearshore. In some cases only nitrate loading was significantly correlated with percent cover, indicating that the relative importance of nitrogen and phosphorus to algal growth near streams may be determined by the characteristics and land use within each sub-watershed. Agricultural BMPs targeting nutrient and suspended solid runoff can effectively reduce filamentous algal growth locally along the lake littoral zone on a time scale of months to a few years and with moderate commitment of resources. This work offers a new perspective for management of the growing problem of littoral algal growth in the embayments and drowned river mouths of the Great Lakes.     

Effects of gravel augmentation on macroinvertebrate assemblages in a regulated California River

Enhancement projects within anadromous salmonid rivers of California have increased in recent years. Much of this work is intended as mitigation in regulated streams where salmon and steelhead spawning habitat is inaccessible or degraded due to dams, water diversions and channelization. Little research has been done to assess the benefits of spawning habitat enhancement to stream organisms other than salmon. We monitored benthic macroinvertebrates at seven spawning gravel augmentation sites in the lower Mokelumne River, a regulated stream in the Central Valley of California. Placement of cleaned floodplain gravel decreased depths and increased stream velocities. Benthic organisms colonized new gravels quickly, equalling densities and biomass of unenhanced spawning sites within 4 weeks. Macroinvertebrate species richness equalled that of unenhanced sites within 4 weeks and diversity within 2 weeks. Standing crop, as indicated by densities and dry biomass, was significantly higher in enhancement sites after 12 weeks than in unenhanced sites and remained so over the following 10 weeks. Although mobile collector/browsers initially dominated new gravels, sedentary collectors were the most common feeding category after 4 weeks, similar to unenhanced sites. These data suggest that cleaned gravels from adjacent floodplain materials, used to enhance salmonid spawning sites, are quickly incorporated into the stream ecosystem, benefiting benthic macroinvertebrate densities and dry biomass. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Headwater Streams of Florida: Types,Distribution and a Framework for Conservation

Using geographic information system and topographic maps, 5829 headwater streams in Florida were surveyed for several parameters including elevation, stream length, flow regime and surrounding geology, and vegetation. Each was assigned to one of four headwater types: wetland, seep, lake, and spring. Wetland headwaters were the most common and widespread followed by seeps, many displaying temporary flow, while springs were perennial and least numerous. Four groups of Florida rivers were identified through cluster analysis of drainage densities (number headwaters/km of river length). Group 1 consisted of six rivers with lowest drainage densities (0.30–1.39 streams/km main channel). All were coastal rivers of peninsular Florida and, with one exception, drain to the Gulf of Mexico. Seven of eight rivers (group 2) with intermediate drainage densities (1.77–3.04 streams/km main channel) were located in peninsular Florida. Only three of 12 rivers comprising the two groups (groups 3 and 4) with greatest drainage densities (5.16–9.37 and 15.49–16.96 streams/km main channel) were not located in the Florida panhandle. Stream conservation efforts should focus on both highly complex dendritic river networks of the panhandle and on the 7000 km² area in central Florida mostly lacking headwaters that may become a significant dispersal bottleneck for aquatic biota seeking refugia farther north from projected climate change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fragmentation of an Intermittent Stream During Seasonal Drought: Intra‐annual and Interannual Patterns and Biological Consequences

Intermittent streams lose surface flow during some portion of the year and can be important breeding and rearing habitats for stream biota. However, habitat contraction and deteriorating water quality across the summer can result in harsh conditions and mortality. We explored patterns of drying in a small intermittent stream across the summer in Mediterranean‐climate California, including across 4 years that differed in antecedent precipitation. Wet–dry mapping revealed earlier stream fragmentation following dry winters and that entire sections of the stream varied in their propensity to dry suggesting an important influence of geomorphology on drying. Within two ‘slow‐drying’ reaches, initial riffle volumes were higher following wetter winters, but the rate of riffle drying was higher following wet years, presumably because higher initial volumes resulted in greater drying capacity. Initial pool volumes were similar across years, but the rate of pool drying was faster following dry versus wet winters (pool half‐life ranged from 9.7 weeks in the driest year to 26.3 weeks in the wettest year). Stream temperature differed among years, but differences were slight, and temperatures rarely exceeded optimal conditions for trout growth. We observed limited movement of trout during drier years and found that movement was negatively associated with pool depth, riffle length and date, and positively associated with riffle volume. Overall, we found that antecedent rainfall influenced variability in pool drying more than riffle drying, that entire sections of the creek varied in their propensity to dry and that biological fragmentation preceded physical fragmentation by 3 to 7 weeks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potential ecological effects of water extraction in small,unregulated streams

River regulation can have various effects on the natural flow regime, however the most obvious and perhaps pronounced hydrological effect is the reduction of total water discharge. Whilst there has been an increasing number of studies investigating the impacts of river regulation on lowland rivers, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of water extractions on small upland streams. In this study, we experimentally examined the effects of short‐term, summer water extractions from small, unregulated streams. Five 30 m reaches were experimentally manipulated to divert a proportion of the total stream flow, and another five 30 m reaches were designated as controls, in the Yea River catchment, Victoria, Australia. The percentage of total discharge diverted from each experimental reach varied through time and between creeks (28–97%), with discharge always significantly reduced compared to control locations. All sites were monitored for available habitat, biofilm, water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity and density, fortnightly during February and March 2004. Despite the range of total stream volumes being extracted, the manipulation altered important ecological components of these unregulated creeks, including changes in physical habitat features (reduced stream wetted area and maximum stream depth) and reduced dissolved oxygen concentrations. Biofilm parameters showed a slight increase in diverted reaches, but were not statistically different from the controls. There was no statistical difference in total density of macroinvertebrates or EPT taxa; however, the density of Austrocercella mariannae (Notonemouridae) was significantly reduced in diverted reaches. Macroinvertebrate family level diversity, and the family diversity of grazers and shredders was reduced in diverted reaches. This study demonstrates that there are likely to be significant ecological impacts of extracting water in unregulated creeks. Whilst this study has demonstrated the need to consider environmental water requirements in unregulated streams, further studies are required to inform the debate about the volume, timing and predicted ecological response with improved environmental water. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Changes in fish communities of the Phongolo floodplain,Zululand (South Africa) before,during and after a severe drought

The Pongolapoort Dam in Zululand, South Africa has regulated the flow of the Phongolo River to its floodplain downstream since 1970. Ecological surveys of the floodplain fish communities were conducted before (1974–6), during (September 1983) and after (August 1984) a severe drought to assess the response of the fish stocks. During the three study periods the floodplain lake communities varied. Fish populations were markedly reduced during the drought. The redistribution offish on the floodplain after the drought was rapid. Colonization of previously dry lakes was mainly by juvenile fish and the mean size of the fish was lower in these lakes than in the refuge lakes. A few species successfully spawned during the drought, although the natural mortality of the young of the year was probably greater due to increased competition and predation in restricted habitats. Large scale spawning in most species occurred immediately after the drought was broken by a large flood.