Information

Ecological parameter:  stream zonation preference

Parameter group: region related parameters

Explanation:
Species are categorised based on their stream zonation preference. The stream zonation or longitudinal preference of invertebrate communities reflects the temperature regime of a river and is therefore an important parameter to detect and evaluate temperature increases as induced by e.g. climate change. It can also be used to assess river degradation (e.g. hydromorphological changes) and stress intensity. The categories are taken from Moog et al. (1995) and are based on the concept of biocoenotic regions (Rhithron-Potamon Concept).

Moog, O. (ed.) (1995): Fauna Aquatica Austriaca - A Comprehensive Species Inventory of Austrian Aquatic Organisms with Ecological Notes. Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Wasserwirtschaftskataster Vienna: loose-leaf binder.


Classification system: 10 point assignment system

Abbreviations:
Category nameAbbreviationExplanation
eucrenaleucspring region
hypocrenalhycspring-brook
epirhithralerhupper-trout region
metarhithralmrhlower-trout region
hyporhithralhrhgrayling region
epipotamalepobarbel region
metapotamalmpobream region
hypopotamalhpobrackish water region
littorallitlake and stream shorelines, lentic sites, ponds etc.
profundalprobottom of lakes
Assigned taxa for each higher systematic unit
TaxagroupNumber of assigned taxa / total number of taxa - percentage
Porifera6 / 12 - 50%
Coelenterata1 / 13 - 7.6%
Turbellaria16 / 61 - 26.2%
Gastropoda115 / 241 - 47.7%
Bivalvia49 / 77 - 63.6%
Polychaeta9 / 13 - 69.2%
Oligochaeta79 / 240 - 32.9%
Hirudinea32 / 68 - 47%
Branchiobdellida2 / 8 - 25%
Araneae1 / 7 - 14.2%
Crustacea83 / 270 - 30.7%
Ephemeroptera208 / 353 - 58.9%
Odonata165 / 174 - 94.8%
Plecoptera384 / 576 - 66.6%
Heteroptera73 / 124 - 58.8%
Megaloptera3 / 6 - 50%
Planipennia6 / 12 - 50%
Coleoptera695 / 2678 - 25.9%
Trichoptera844 / 1439 - 58.6%
Lepidoptera6 / 19 - 31.5%
Diptera (excl. Chironomidae)95 / 2404 - 3.9%
Chironomidae408 / 1315 - 31%
Bryozoa11 / 19 - 57.8%