| Title | Contrasting chironomid assemblages in two high Arctic streams on Svalbard |
| Abstract | Chironomid communities were investigated twice in summer 1997 in a glacier-fed (Bayelva) and a non-glacial stream (Londonelva), fed by snowmelt and rainfall near Ny-angstrom lesund (Svalbard Archipelago, 78 degrees N). Environmental conditions (discharge, water temperature, suspended sediment) were harsher for the fauna in the glacial system than in the non-glacial one. In all, 29 chironomid species were identified from larval, pupal and male adult material, including six species new to Svalbard. Diamesa was the best represented genus, showing contrasting distributional trends at the species level in the two streams: Diamesa aberrata and D. bohemani were more characteristic of the glacial stream, while D. arctica and D. bertrami colonised primarily the snowmelt-fed one. Total abundance of chironomid larvae was ten times greater in Londonelva than in Bayelva. The prevailing harsh conditions in glacial streams, such as high and fluctuating discharge, high sediment transport and substrate instability, strongly influenced the abundance of the chironomid fauna, demonstrating the key importance of water source in Arctic streams. |
| Source | Fundamental and applied limnology 170 (3), pp. 211–222 |
| Keywords | proglacial streamhigh arcticChironomidaeOligochaetaSpitzbergenwater temperature |
| Journal | Fundamental and applied limnology |
| Editor | Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, Germania |
| Year | 2007 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1127/1863-9135/2007/0170-0211 |
| Authors | Lods-Crozet, Brigitte; Lencioni, Valeria; Brittain, John E.; Marziali, Laura; Rossaro, Bruno |
| Text | 309642 2007 10.1127/1863 9135/2007/0170 0211 ISI Web of Science WOS 000251958200003 proglacial stream high arctic Chironomidae Oligochaeta Spitzbergen water temperature Contrasting chironomid assemblages in two high Arctic streams on Svalbard Lods Crozet, Brigitte; Lencioni, Valeria; Brittain, John E.; Marziali, Laura; Rossaro, Bruno Muse Cantonal Zool; Museum Nat Sci Trento; University of Oslo; University of Oslo Chironomid communities were investigated twice in summer 1997 in a glacier fed Bayelva and a non glacial stream Londonelva , fed by snowmelt and rainfall near Ny angstrom lesund Svalbard Archipelago, 78 degrees N . Environmental conditions discharge, water temperature, suspended sediment were harsher for the fauna in the glacial system than in the non glacial one. In all, 29 chironomid species were identified from larval, pupal and male adult material, including six species new to Svalbard. Diamesa was the best represented genus, showing contrasting distributional trends at the species level in the two streams Diamesa aberrata and D. bohemani were more characteristic of the glacial stream, while D. arctica and D. bertrami colonised primarily the snowmelt fed one. Total abundance of chironomid larvae was ten times greater in Londonelva than in Bayelva. The prevailing harsh conditions in glacial streams, such as high and fluctuating discharge, high sediment transport and substrate instability, strongly influenced the abundance of the chironomid fauna, demonstrating the key importance of water source in Arctic streams. 170 Articolo in rivista Schweizerbart 1863 9135 Fundamental and applied limnology Fundamental and applied limnology Fundam. appl. limnol. Fundamental and applied limnology. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 2007 laura.marziali MARZIALI LAURA |
