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Trophic linkages between periphyton and grazing macroinvertebrates in rivers with different levels of catchment development

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Abstract

Stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) were used to compare trophic linkages between epilithic periphyton and three families of macroinvertebrates (Baetidae, Leptophlebiidae and Gripopterygidae) in riffles of two rivers with developed catchments (including agriculture, urbanization, impoundment and flow regulation) and two with undeveloped catchments (native forest with no major impoundments) in the Murrumbidgee River system, New South Wales, Australia. Periphyton had much higher average δ15N values and lower average C:N ratios in the developed rivers than in the undeveloped rivers, probably because of the combined effects of nutrient enrichment, upstream impoundment and alteration of riparian vegetation. The invertebrates were generally slightly depleted in 13C and 15N relative to expected values if they were assimilating whole periphyton alone, which suggests that they were assimilating periphyton components selectively or also consuming other foods. The match in isotope signatures between periphyton and invertebrates was only slightly weaker in the developed than in the undeveloped rivers, suggesting that development did not greatly disrupt trophic linkages between periphyton and these invertebrates.

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Acknowledgements

This study was undertaken by the former NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC). Several former staff of DLWC in addition to the authors contributed through fieldwork (in particular David Hohnberg and Justin Nancarrow) and preparation of Fig. 1 (Sandy Grant). Staff of Griffith University, especially Stuart Bunn, Joanne Clapcott and Michelle Winning are thanked for performing the stable isotope analysis and providing advice on methods and data interpretation. River flow and temperature data were obtained from the Hydsys data base of the NSW Department of Water and Energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Climate Change, Water and Landscape Sciences, P.O. Box 3720, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia

    Bruce C. Chessman

  2. Department of Water and Energy, Science and Information Branch, P.O. Box U245, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia

    Douglas P. Westhorpe

  3. Department of Water and Energy, Water and Management Division, P.O. Box 3720, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia

    Simon M. Mitrovic

  4. Department of Water and Energy, Science and Information Division, P.O. Box 10, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650, Australia

    Lorraine Hardwick

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  1. Bruce C. Chessman
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  2. Douglas P. Westhorpe
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  3. Simon M. Mitrovic
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  4. Lorraine Hardwick
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Correspondence to Bruce C. Chessman.

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Chessman, B.C., Westhorpe, D.P., Mitrovic, S.M. et al. Trophic linkages between periphyton and grazing macroinvertebrates in rivers with different levels of catchment development. Hydrobiologia 625, 135–150 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9702-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9702-3

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