Response of stream benthos and drift to fine sediment deposition versus transport

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the responses of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to experimental additions of fine sediments into riffles having a flow with either low tractive force so the sediments were deposited or sufficient tractive force to transport the added sediments. Sediment deposition had no measurable impact on most taxa, the only negative effects being significantly higher drift rates and lower benthic densities for Paraleptophlebia. Sediment transport by saltation created a physical disturbance that reduced total benthic densities by >50% in 24 h and significantly influenced macroinvertebrate community composition. Changes in the benthic community were the result of catastrophic drift, and distinct immediate and delayed responses of diurnal drift to the saltating sediments were evident. Taxa with the immediate drift response resided predominantly at the substrate surface and were instantaneously exposed to scouring as sediments were added. Macroinvertebrates showing the delayed response initially avoided the saltating sediments because of their deeper distribution, but an apparent diel shift in vertical distribution exposed these taxa to saltating sediments 6–9 h after sediment additions. Thus, even when tractive forces were insufficient to suspend fine sediments, catastrophic drift was initiated by fine sediments that slid and bounced along the surface of the stony substrate. Sediment saltation, therefore, has the potential to act as a community-level disturbance early in the storm hydrograph or at lower discharge magnitudes than required to suspend sediments.