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Rapid macroinvertebrate colonisation in restored channelised streams contiguous with natural stream reaches

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Abstract

Stream restoration is meant to mitigate increasing anthropogenic pressure and re-establish ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Extensive research has identified constraints hampering biotic recovery, but successful projects are still scarce. This study documents short-term macroinvertebrate colonisation in a near-natural environment with plentiful potential colonists, which has rarely been studied. Three streams contiguous with near-natural aquatic habitats were monitored over sixteen months after restoration. Sampling sections were categorised and compared to reference sections. Species richness and composition, abundance, functional parameters and similarity to reference were evaluated. Restored streams were colonised rapidly and, in multiple respects, reached reference levels within the study period. Distance from upstream colonisation source and restoration method (newly built and rebuilt channels) had little effect on recovery. However, species composition of upper and lower sections diversified, as they receive colonists from various sources. Repeated sampling revealed dynamic assemblage development with Chironomidae, Baetidae and Nemouridae being among the pioneer colonists. A common successional pattern was observed; gatherers/collectors and small, plurivoltine larvae decreased, whereas predators, grazers/scrapers and medium-sized, univoltine larvae increased. This study demonstrates that restoration of previously channelised streams in near-natural environment is followed by rapid macroinvertebrate colonisation, successfully promoting biodiversity.

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Raw data that support the findings of this study are not public but may be acquired from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Eva Zelenková and Ivana Bufková (Národní park Šumava, Vimperk) for the support of this study, Stela Paterová, Karolína Fišarová, Magdalena Chlápková, Stanislav Němejc (all Masaryk University, Brno), Tomáš Soldán (Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice), Linda Seifert (Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald, Grafenau) for their assistance with field work, and Professor Jacob VanHouten (Delta College, Michigan) for corrections and advice concerning language and style. We thank the anonymous reviewers for valuable feedback that helped us improve this manuscript.

Funding

The study was supported by the Cross-border cooperation programme Czech Republic–Bavaria Free State, ETC goal 2014–2020, the Interreg V project n. 26 (Silva Gabreta Monitoring – Implementation of Transboundary Monitoring of Biodiversity and Water Regime), specific research of Masaryk University (MUNI/A/1581/2020) and Czech Science Foundation (19-16605S).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic

    Selma de Donnová, Jana Petruželová, Kateřina Kintrová, Vanda Šorfová, Vendula Polášková, Michal Straka & Jindřiška Bojková

  2. T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, P. R. I., Mojmírovo náměstí 16, 612 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Michal Straka

  3. Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Jaroslav Vrba

  4. Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 702, 37005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Jaroslav Vrba

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  1. Selma de Donnová
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  2. Jana Petruželová
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Contributions

Study conception and design was proposed by JB. Field sampling was performed by JB, VŠ, JV and JP. Macroinvertebrate determination was carried out by JB, SD, JP, VP, MS and VŠ. Water sample analyses were performed by JV. Data analyses were carried out by JP, SD and KK. Manuscript was written by SD, JB, JP and VŠ. All authors read, commented on, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Selma de Donnová.

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de Donnová, S., Petruželová, J., Kintrová, K. et al. Rapid macroinvertebrate colonisation in restored channelised streams contiguous with natural stream reaches. Hydrobiologia 849, 4135–4152 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-04928-3

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