Meeting Abstract
Stream flow is the primary abiotic factor influencing stream ecosystem function. Physical forces associated with the flow can affect the morphology of in-stream organisms. Body shape couples organism morphology to turbulent stream flow which can affect individual behavior. Natural systems have increasingly been under siege through flow alterations in the form of dams, land use, and storm events through global climate change. An understanding of the direct and indirect effects associated with the natural flow regime is crucial to identifying and predicting behavioral and morphological responses of organisms (and by extension ecosystem processes) to flow alterations. Perlidae stoneflies were collected and hydraulic conditions were surveyed from 20 pristine streams across Northern Michigan. Sites were chosen for an array of environmental and physical conditions and the prevalence of a USGS gauging station. A geometric morphometric shape analysis was conducted on Perlidae individuals using the suite of tps software. Principle component analyses indicate Perlidae stoneflies may have evolutionary body shape adaptation to the natural flow regime of their stream. Stoneflies provide an interdependent link between flowing water and the ecological integrity of a stream by enhancing ecosystem processes (i.e.-nutrient cycling). The morphology of benthic macroinvertebrates are heavily influenced by the turbulent flows of their environment. Turbulent flows at the scale of an organisms are heavily influenced by rain events and the influx of water dictated by past and current land use characteristics. As human influence to natural systems increases, particularly in the context of global climate change, the use of organism shape information could be used to infer hydrologic, hydraulic, and ecological condition of streams.
