Improving Habitat: Periphyton and Macroinvertebrate Colonization on Large Wood in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River
Improving Habitat: Periphyton and Macroinvertebrate Colonization on Large Wood in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River

Author: Jeffrey Henderson

Publisher:

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 110

ISBN-13:

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Large wood is an important restoration tool in aquatic ecosystems as it has a variety of geomorphological and ecological benefits. We have limited knowledge regarding the role of large wood in large rivers as most research focuses on streams and small rivers. This research aims to understand the characteristics and dynamics of large wood in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River while examining environmental conditions that influence periphyton accrual and macroinvertebrate colonization on wood. We surveyed naturally occurring large wood along shorelines of reconstructed islands between September and July and deployed wood substrate samplers across varying flow habitats in June that were sampled biweekly until September. The positive net change in wood abundance (+3.2 pieces) and shift in wood characteristics (unattached, dry, and bare without bark) along this flow gradient suggests that flow dynamic is a primary factor influencing wood abundance and mobilization. Arthropod dry mass (1.1 mg/cm2), abundance (73 individuals), and richness (3 order taxa) were greatest in higher flow habitats where additional habitat substrate was limited, whereas periphyton accrual was similar across flows. The information we provide on use of wood substrates by periphyton and macroinvertebrates across habitat conditions may be further used to link higher trophic level interactions with large wood. Overall, this study supports that large wood is an effective tool in restoration efforts aimed at improving habitat heterogeneity by increasing available substrate.

Ecosystem Processes of Epilithis and Epixylic Periphyton in a Backwater of the Upper Mississippi River
Ecosystem Processes of Epilithis and Epixylic Periphyton in a Backwater of the Upper Mississippi River

Author: Shane Daniel Symmank

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 118

ISBN-13:

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In large lotic aquatic systems like the upper Mississippi River (UMR), the majority of primary production is most often attributed to pelagic (free-floating) biological communities, or macrophyte communities. However, the ecological significance of benthic microbial communities is critical when assessing the quality of these aquatic habitats. Benthic systems teem with aquatic microbes, many of which inhabit matrixenclosed biofilms (i.e., periphyton) that contribute to key ecological processes such as primary production, community respiration, nutrient cycling, and secondary production. The objective of this study was to culture periphyton on three different types of artificial substrates (unglazed ceramic tile and two types of wood: poplar and pine) situated inside exclosures developed specifically to inhibit colonization by large macroinvertebrate grazers. The exclosures were deployed in Target Lake, a backwater lake in Pool 8 of the UMR, for three week incubations throughout the summer of 2010. Periphyton growth on the substrates was subsequently analyzed for biomass (i.e., chlorophyll a and ash-free dry mass), primary production, and secondary production. Data from early summer (late May through early July) exclosure deployments showed significant (ANOVA, p

Aquatic Studies of the Main Channel Border Habitat of Pool 5A on the Upper Mississippi River
Aquatic Studies of the Main Channel Border Habitat of Pool 5A on the Upper Mississippi River

Author: Greg Seegert

Publisher:

Published: 1984

Total Pages: 309

ISBN-13:

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This report contains an extensive study of the periphyton, macroinvertebrate, and fish communities of Pool 5A on the Mississippi River. The focus of the study was the main channel border (MCB), the zone between the nine-foot navigation channel and the main river bank. The MCB is the area potentially affected by channel maintenance activities. The objectives were: (1) Provide information that will increase the Corps' ability to make predictions regarding the effects of channel maintenance or construction activities; (2) Identify ways to minimize or mitigate adverse impacts during channel maintenance or construction activities; and (3) Identify ways to maximize beneficial impacts that will occur during such activities. Keywords: Wisconsin, Minnesota.

The Ecology of Pools 19 and 20, Upper Mississippi River
The Ecology of Pools 19 and 20, Upper Mississippi River

Author: Lawrence A. Jahn

Publisher:

Published: 1986

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13:

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To accommodate navigation, the Upper Mississippi River has been extensively modified by the dredging of navigation channels and the construction of a series of lock and dam structures. Each lock and dam creates a pool on the river. This document reviews ecological information and data on navigation pools 19 and 20 of the Upper Mississippi River, extending from near Keokuk, IA, southward to Canton, MO, and Meyer, IL. This report reviews the geologic history and present physiographic conditions of the pools. Biological populations inhabiting or associated with the pools are described, followed by a section on community functions which includes a discussion of production and trophic interactions. The final chapter describes human impacts on this section of the river.