摘要：Land use is continually evolving in river watersheds and riparian
zones, particularly in areas containing dense human populations
requiring infrastructure development. Land use planners in southcentral
Michigan, USA, are challenged to balance infrastructure
needs with the ecological integrity of the iconic Red Cedar River,
which flows through the Michigan state capital (Lansing) and surrounding
suburban and rural areas and supports freshwater diatoms,
mussels, fishes, and other organisms. Although land use
goals in the Red Cedar River watershed include protecting riverine
biodiversity, decision-makers need a systematic method for predicting
and mitigating effects of land use change on the river
ecosystem. We developed a framework for evaluating habitat
associations of diatoms and native unionid mussels in the Red
Cedar River using field collections and mixed-effects modeling to
facilitate socio-ecologically informed riparian management.
Diatoms were significantly more abundant and genus-rich in riffles
and pools than runs, whereas mussels were more abundant
in riffles than pools, with intermediate run abundance. Diatom
relative abundance was most affected by pH (þ effect), depth
(þ), and water temperature (þ), similar to diatom genus richness
(pH and depth þ). Mussel relative abundance was best explained
by depth (–), pH (þ), and percent forest cover (þ), similar to mussel
length (depth þ, pH –). Results from this study underscore
riparian management strategies for optimizing forest cover, depth,
and pH to promote ecologically favorable conditions for diatoms
and mussels in the Red Cedar River (e.g. stable, near-neutral pH;
diverse tree species with 60% forest cover). Advancing understanding
of aquatic biota and their habitats, this research provides
a foundation for socio-ecologically balanced land use planning in
the Red Cedar River and other riverine ecosystems.
关键词：Diatoms ; land use ; land use planning ; Red Cedar River ; unionid mussels
