2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference

March 13 - 15, 2022

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5/22/2018 | 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | FLOW INTERMITTENCY AND BIODIVERSITY OF AN ALPINE FLUVIAL NETWORK: VAL ROSEG, SWITZERLAND | 310 B

FLOW INTERMITTENCY AND BIODIVERSITY OF AN ALPINE FLUVIAL NETWORK: VAL ROSEG, SWITZERLAND

The influence of flow intermittency (FI) on ecosystem function/biodiversity of fluvial networks will increase in the future due to climate change. The methodology for quantifying FI and its effect on river function/biodiversity is still poor. Here, we used data loggers modified from light/temperature Hobo sensors to measure FI of 30 streams comprising an Alpine stream network in Val Roseg, Switzerland. Our goals were to: i) accurately measure the presence/absence of surface water, ii) validate measured values with field surveys, iii) develop metrics to characterize flow/temperature regimes and ordinate sites along a FI gradient, and iv) relate measures of FI with stream biodiversity. Streams were equipped with flow/temperature sensors to hourly record water presence/temperature. Macroinvertebrates were sampled to determine local assemblages in each stream. Fifteen of 30 measured streams periodically dried with three groups of streams being identified: permanent streams, daily intermittent streams, and seasonally intermittent streams. Assemblage composition of streams reflected this difference in surface flow regimes in the fluvial network. Results indicate the method was robust to assess FI and showed that FI affects biodiversity and consequently ecosystem function of Alpine rive networks.

Drying
Community
Temperature

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Presenters/Authors

Amael Paillex (), ECOTEC Environment SA, 1203, Geneva, Switzerland, amael.paillex@eawag.ch;