Effect of a reduction in mountain stream flow on the diversity and quantity of benthic macroinvertebrates and the abundance of algae
Abstract
The process of manually diverting water from stream channels for agricultural purposes, industrial uses, and other reasons is practiced universally worldwide. These diversions of water are primarily characterized by a reduction in total flow within the stream. This study examines the response of benthic algae and macroinvertebrates to an environment where total flow has been reduced by over 80% in four mountain streams in Gothic, Colorado. The effects on macroinvertebrate abundance, richness and diversity were measured as well as algal abundance. Results indicate that macroinverterbrate abundance and richness are negatively impacted, and algal abundance in positively impacted, by a reduction in stream flow. While this was a small- scaled study, it is clear that humans need to better understand the impact that our careless water use has on stream ecosystems.
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