The role of benthic microhabitats in determining the effects of hydromorphological river restoration on macroinvertebrates

• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-015-2575-8
• Publication Date: 2015-11-20T07:43:43Z
• Authors: Ralf C. M. Verdon...; Jochem Kail; Brendan G. McKie; Piet F. M. Verdon...
• Keywords: Restoration Ecology

Despite the large number of river restoration projects carried out worldwide, evidence for strong and long-term positive ecological effects hydromorphological on macroinvertebrates is scarce. To improve understanding success failure measures, a standardized field study was in nineteen paired restored degraded sections mid-sized lowland mountain rivers throughout Europe. We investigated if there were macroinvertebrate biodiversity, these could be related to changes microhabitat composition, diversity patchiness. Effects quantified all taxa combined, as well Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera Trichoptera separately. Additionally, species trait classifications preference types used functional indicator. Restoration had no overall selected metrics. Rather, we did find relationships between responses effect patchiness microhabitats. Furthermore, cover specific substrate sections. conclude that limited reflected, at least part, most measures composition diversity.