Author(s): R. Arai; K. Nukazawa; S. Kazama; Y. Takemon
Linked Author(s): So Kazama
Keywords: Water temperature; Plecoptera; Similarity index
Abstract: Headwater streams are relatively stable and free of human structures or land use changes. The flow regime and water quality characteristics of such streams, with the exception of water temperature, are therefore not subject to significant variation throughout the year. We conducted monthly sampling of the benthic communities and measurements of the water temperature of headwater streams located in NE Japan in 2011 and 2012. As results, the similarity index decreased significantly with the water temperature difference expanding. This result implies that projected increases in water temperature due to climate change may alter the composition of benthic communities. The abundance of the Plecoptera assemblage appeared to decline with elevated temperature, with this negative association particularly strong in the summer months.
Year: 2014