Effects of watershed vegetation and disturbance on invertebrate community structure in western Cascade streams: implications for stream ecosystem theory

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Verh. Internat. Verein. Limnol.

Volume

23

Publication Date

1-1-1988

Keywords

watershed, vegetation, disturbance, invertebrate community, western, Cascade streams

First Page

1167

Last Page

1173

Abstract

Current theory in stream ecology posits a strong linkage between watershed or riparian vegetation and structure of consumer communities in streams (Cummins et al. 1984, Minshall et al. 1985, Vannote et al. 1980). In this view, degree of vegetative canopy influences the relative proportion of allochthonous litter and autochthonous plant matter available to consumers. Natural stream ecosystems vary greatly in the amount and relative contribution of the two kinds of organic carbon sources (e.g Petersen & Cummins 1974, Minshall 1978). If consumers are specialized in either diet or mode of feeding (sensu Cummins 1974), structure of consumer assemblages in different streams should reflect differences in streamside vegetation. Furthermore, if watershed vegetation is removed, stream communities should exhibit shifts in structure as vegetation is first eliminated and then slowly recovers (e.g. Molles 1982).

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