摘要:Benthic macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) are
influenced by the availability of food sources, which can be
affected by stream size and gradient. We investigated the spatial
distribution patterns of FFGs by stream size (stream order,
catchment area and stream width) and gradient (altitude and
slope). In addition, we attempted stream classification based
on the distribution patterns of FFGs. To achieve these goals, a
total of 996 sampling sites of national scale located in the
Republic of Korea were investigated from 2008 to 2016. Among
the five physical variables, stream width and slope showed linear
relationships with the indicator values of FFGs. These two
physical variables had larger influences on the distribution of
FFGs compared to other variables. Geology (the type of rocks)
showed little influences on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate
communities. We classified streams focusing on
catchment (stream size) area and altitude (stream gradient)
because they are constants that do not change with disturbances.
The FFGs and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages
were distinctly changed by stream types, indicating that the
stream classification criterion adequately represented changes
in physical variables in biotic terms. In addition, the distribution
of FFGs and biotic assemblages showed that benthic macroinvertebrates
in the Republic of Korea were more influenced
by the altitude (stream gradient) than the catchment area
(stream size). In overall, this study found that the stream size
and gradient markedly influence the distribution of FFGs in
national regions of the Republic of Korea. Further research is
needed focusing on the level of microhabitats and other
parameters to identify the promising variables that influence
biotic distribution.
关键词:Benthic macroinvertebrates ; functional feeding groups ; Republic of Korea ; stream classification ; stream gradient ; stream size