Benthic Macroinvertebrate Habitat Associations of the Channelized Middle Missouri River

Authors

James B. Barnum, Iowa State University
Roger W. Bachmann, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Aquatic fuuna, benthos, invertebrates, Missouri River

Abstract

Benthic macroinvertebrates associated with navigation structures (dikes, dike pools, revetted banks) and abandoned channels on the Missouri River at the Iowa-Nebraska border were sampled in June, August, and October 1983 to determine the invertebrate community structure of these habitats. Invertebrate densities were greatest in the abandoned channel habitat (to over 13,000/m²), while diversities were greatest in the dike and revetment habitats. Greater habitat diversity contributed to greater organism diversity in the dike and revetment habitats while sediment homogeneity and stability presumably contributed to greater organism densities in the abandoned channel habitat. Dike pools had turbulent eddy currents, which constantly stirred bottom sediments and provided a marginal habitat for invertebrate colonization. Burrowing aquatic worms, midges, and mayflies characterized abandoned channels, whereas dikes and revetments were dominated by clinging caddisflies, mayflies, and Hydra, although worms and midges were associated with interstitial sediments. Dike pools were depauperate areas dominated by immature worms.

Publication Date

June 1988

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

95

Issue

2

First Page

60

Last Page

65

Copyright

© Copyright 1988 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Barnum, James B. and Bachmann, Roger W. (1988) "Benthic Macroinvertebrate Habitat Associations of the Channelized Middle Missouri River," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 95(2), 60-65.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol95/iss2/8