Thermal-nutritional regulation of functional groups in running water ecosystems. Technical progress report, October 1, 1978-November 1, 1980

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6712742· OSTI ID:6712742

Cummins, K W

The research encompassed three general areas: (1) characterization of stream macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (shredders, collectors, scrapers, and predators) based on morphological and behavioral adaptations and food-source-specific growth responses of selected species; (2) demonstration of the relative importance of temperature and food quality (in which maximum quality is defined as that producing the most growth) in controlling growth rate and survivorship of stream functional groups; and (3) derivation and refinement of conceptual and quantitative models of stream ecosystem structure and function, with particular emphasis on detrital processing. Verification of the functional group concept as a tool for assessing and predicting is reflected in alterations of the relative dominance of various functional groups. Food quality can strongly influence the growth rates of shredders, collectors and scrapers and override the effects of temperature in a number of cases. Gathering collectors may select food particles by size (or at least be restricted to a limited portion of the total range available) but representative species do not appear to select for quality.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis (USA). Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife
• DOE Contract Number: AT06-79EV10004
• OSTI ID: 6712742
• Report Number(s): DOE/EV/10004-02
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL GROWTH
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
INSECTS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
SPECIES DIVERSITY
THERMAL POLLUTION
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
ECOSYSTEMS
GROWTH
INVERTEBRATES
POLLUTION
SURFACE WATERS
520400* - Environment
Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)