published_or_final_version / Botany / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1987.

Experiments on the colonization of artificial substrates by stream benthos were conducted in upper Chingmei Stream, Taiwan. The artificial substrates were colonized by stream benthos for periods of 3, 6 12, 21, 30 and 42 days.The two experiments were designed for different purposes. Experiment I from December 15, 1990 to January 29, 1991 investigated the colonization patterns of stream benthos at two sites: a polluted site caused by coal mining activities (Site 1) and a recovery site further downstream of the polluted site (Site 2). Experiment II from March 14, 1991 to April 28, 1991 tested the effect of two different sizes of substrate (cobble and gravel) on the colonization patterns of stream benthos at Site 2. In Experiment I, the total number of individuals and taxa were significantly affected by exposure period of experimental substrates and sites which indicate the occurrence of succession and the detrimental effect of coal mining activities on the benthic community. At Site 1, only Caenis sp., Euphaea sp. and Chironomidae occurred on all sampling dates and were abundant. The other taxa may just continue to drift away from the site. The chironomid larvae were most abundant. They accounted for over 90% of the colonizing individuals from day 12 to day 42. At Site 2, Baetis spA and Chironomidae were most abundant. They accounted for over 80% during the experiment, except on day 21. The relative abundance shifted from Baetis sp.A to Chironomidae with an increase in colonization time. Association analysis was performed on the abundance of taxa pairs within the same functional feeding group at Site 2. The results suggest that filter-feeders and predators have concordant colonization patterns. The relationship between taxa and abundance at the two sites also was tested by lognormal distribution to determine the degree of equilibrium of the community. In Experiment II, the substratum types influenced only the total number of individuals colonizing baskets. The gravel substrate provides more surface area for stream benthos and supports more individuals. Baetis sp.A and chironomid larvae were abundant; they accounted for over 84% of the individuals from day 6 to 42 on both gravel and cobble. The chironomid larvae comprised 36% of the fauna on the gravel substrate and 35 - 79% of the fauna on the cobble substrate. The results of association analysis on the abundance of taxa pairs within the same functional feeding group showed that there were more taxa pairs with significant associations on cobble than on gravel. The negatively significant associations also occurred more on the cobble substrate. This indicates that biological interactions may be important in determining the development of community on the cobble substrate. Disturbance caused by floods influenced the colonization patterns, especially on the gravel substrate. It reset the artificial substrates back to earlier conditions. This study only suggests that competition may occur in the subtropical Taiwanese stream and further experimentation is needed to demonstrate whether competition occurs. / Graduation date: 1992