Biological traits of stream macroinvertebrate communities: effects of microhabitat, reach, and basin filters

Abstract Stream invertebrate communities are the product of multiple-scale habitat filters, and a major goal in community ecology is to determine which scales most influence the relationships between habitat and community structure. We analyzed the relationships between habitat and the functional structure of invertebrate communities at 3 spatial scales (microhabitat, stream reach, basin), using 264 samples collected from 38 stream reaches in 2 basins in France. The habitat was described in terms of hydraulic conditions (Froude number), substrate size, and benthic particulate organic matter. The functional structure of the invertebrate communities was described using 60 categories of 12 biological traits. Relationships between habitat and traits were significant for 96 of 180 tests (r 2 ≤ 26%) at the microhabitat scale (within reaches). Relationships between habitat and traits were significant for 46 of 180 tests (r2 ≤ 34%) at the reach scale (within basins), and the effects of habitat variables on traits did not differ between the 2 basins. Invertebrate traits differed between basins in 34 of 60 trait categories (r2 ≤ 62%). Relationships between habitat and traits were consistent between the microhabitat and reach scales for all traits except body flexibility, number of reproductive cycles/y, and respiration patterns. At both scales, maximum size, body form, mode of attachment to the substrate, feeding habits, reproduction, lifespan, and strategies of dissemination were significantly correlated with habitat variables, especially hydraulics. These results illustrate adaptation to habitat characteristics in terms of resistance to drag and foraging strategies. However, overall differences between basins were inconsistent with patterns observed at smaller scales. In summary, the functional variability of invertebrate communities in stream reaches depended largely on microhabitat filters but also on other filters prevailing at the reach or larger scales.

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