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Parameters affecting Macroinvertebrates distribution in freshwater.
Member rating: No Rating | Words: | Submitted: Mon Jun 19 2006
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Letort Vanessa BIO 2600, Literature review Student number: 2029474 PARAMETERS AFFECTING MACROINVERTEBRATES DISTRIBUTION IN FRESHWATER Aquatic macroinvertebrates are an important part of the food chain, especially for fish. Many feed on algae and bacteria, which are on the lower end of the food chain. Some shred and eat leaves and other organic matter that enters the water. Because of their abundance and position in the aquatic food chain, benthos plays a critical role in the natural flow of energy and nutrients. As benthos die, they decay, leaving behind nutrients that are reused by aquatic plants and other animals in the food chain (Internet 1). Unlike fish, benthos cannot move around as much, so they are less able to escape the effects of sediment and other pollutants that diminish water quality. Therefore, benthos can give reliable information on stream and lake water quality. Their long life cycles allow studies conducted by aquatic ecologists to determine...
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