WRS-55
Relationships Between Selected Physical Parameters and Benthic Community Structure in a Small Mountain Stream
Abstract
The benthic community present in a stream is dependent upon or
regulated by chemical, biological, and physical factors. Three important
physical factors which can influence the composition of benthic
organisms are substrate, water velocity, and water depth. In this
study, four different substrates in a small Wyoming mountain stream
were compared as to benthic community structure. The substrate types
sampled were silt, sand and fine gravel, coarse gravel, and rubble.
Highest mean number and mean biomass were found in the samples taken
in rubble. Point and mean velocities also were measured for each
sample taken. Greatest mean number and mean biomass were found at
mean velocities of 0.50 foot-per-second (0.152 meter-per-second) or
higher. Mean depth data indicated a preference by benthic organisms
for depths of less than one foot (0.305 meter).
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