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Contributed Poster

Session: Aquatic Ecology: Streams And Rivers

PS 37-26 - Which hydrological factors influence lowland Neotropical stream benthic invertebrate and fish communities?

Wednesday, August 9, 2023
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PDT
Location: ESA Exhibit Hall

    Presenting Author(s)

  • HO

    Hailey Odell

    California State University Sacramento, United States

    • Coauthor(s)

  • AU

    Alix Upchurch

    George Mason University, United States

  • AE

    Ashley Elias

    Missouri Western State University, United States

  • CG

    Carissa Ganong

    Assistant Professor of Biology
    Missouri Western State University, United States

Abstract: As global climate change continues, it is imperative to expand our understanding of how abiotic and biotic factors affect aquatic communities. Knowledge is somewhat limited in tropical aquatic systems. The goal of our study was to quantify factors influencing benthic invertebrate and fish communities in tropical streams at La Selva Biological Station on Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope. In June/July 2022, we sampled nine lowland rainforest streams at elevations from 30 to 100 meters above sea level using kick nets, dip nets, minnow traps, and emergence traps. We caught 144 fish representing 11 species, and 659 benthic invertebrates representing over 95 families. All fish species captured were obligate or facultative insectivores. We analyzed data using multiple regression analysis. Fish abundance showed a significant positive correlation with benthic invertebrate richness (number of families) and abundance (number of individuals). Rainfall in the 48 hours prior to sampling and discharge at time of sampling were both significant factors in models analyzing richness and abundance of both fish and benthic invertebrates. Our findings demonstrate the interplay between abiotic and biotic factors in structuring fish and invertebrate communities in tropical streams. Further studies of this type are necessary for understanding, and may be helpful in predicting, effects of climate change in tropical aquatic ecosystems.