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

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 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

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
ECOSYSTEMS
GROWTH
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLLUTION
SPECIES DIVERSITY
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMAL POLLUTION