Biotope Determinants of EPT Assamblages Structure – Târnava Watershed (Transylvania, Romania) Case Study

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to analyze the biotopic factors affecting the EPT assemblage diversity in the rivers of the Târnava Watershed. Our research revealed that the high diversity of the Plecoptera communities is associated with river reaches with boulder and cobble lithological substrate, accentuated slope and natural bank dynamics, and also it is directly correlated with dissolved oxygen and inversely correlated with chemical and biochemical oxygen demand, total hardness, nitrates and total nitrogen in the water. The high diversity of the Trichoptera communities is associated with water which presents moderate quantities of nutrients (total phosphorus, phosphates) and with river reaches with heterogeneous structures (where runs and bends were present). The diversity of the Ephemeroptera communities is positively correlated with the multiannual average flow and riverbed width.