2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

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5/27/2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | High amphipod abundance is tied to diverse macrophyte communities in prairie pothole wetlands | Virtual Platform

High amphipod abundance is tied to diverse macrophyte communities in prairie pothole wetlands

Conservation programs aim to protect biodiversity and the abundance of individual species simultaneously. Amphipods (Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca) are key food resources for waterfowl and are declining in North America. We quantified relationships between amphipod densities and aquatic plant diversity to test the notion that biodiversity can support high abundances of single species. We sampled a large range of amphipod densities (7,050 amphipods/m3) and >50% of the study wetlands had high amphipod densities (>500 amphipods/m3). Generalized linear models revealed G. lacustris densities increased strongly with macrophyte diversity that included many growth forms. Similarly, Hyalella azteca densities were maximized at moderate levels of submersed biomass and increased strongly with aquatic plant diversity. Community analyses showed both amphipod species were positively associated with diverse plant assemblages and negatively associated with high prevalence of cattails (Typha spp.). Our results suggest that amphipods represent wetland biodiversity and could be used as an “umbrella species” for protecting waterfowl habitat. Similarly, managing wetlands for macrophyte diversity would provide essential habitat for amphipods and waterfowl. Conservation strategies that concurrently use amphipods as an umbrella species and protect wetland biodiversity are compatible and will improve wetland quality.

Conservation
Habitat
Biological effects

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Presenters/Authors

Danelle Larson (), U.S. Geological Survey, danellelarson77@gmail.com;