Effects of Hydrologic Pulsing and Vegetation on Invertebrate Communities in Wetlands

Constructed, mitigation wetlands in the midwestern United States are frequently dominated by a Typha spp. monoculture and their hydrologies often determined adjustable control structures. Wetlands provide habitat for multiple macroinvertebrate species, which turn food other organisms inhabiting wetlands, such as waterfowl. This study examined impacts of plant diversity manipulated hydrology on communities. Forty 1-m2 wetland mesocosms were either planted with or more diverse community Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Juncus effusus, Sparganium eurycarpum. They also assigned to one four hydrologic regimes: steady state, pulsing, deep spring/shallow fall, shallow spring/deep summer. After year, macroinvertebrates sampled mesocosms. Mesocosms spring found have greater taxon than those hydrologies, but Chironomidae biomass was lowest under hydrology. Culicidae higher numbers mixed vegetation Taxon richness Chironomid significantly monocultures. Results suggest hydrological regimes impact communities, potential implications constructed design management.