Geographic analysis of thermal equilibria: A bioenergetic model for predicting thermal response of aquatic insect communities: Volume 1: Technical progress report, February 1, 1985-January 31, 1988

This report summarizes the principal research findings of both laboratory and field experiments on the effects of temperature on aquatic insects. It describes a large-scale laboratory experiment that tests the validity of a general model developed to predict the seasonal pattern of growth, development, and adult emergence of aquatic insect species at different locations in their geographic range. The report details the transition of the research program from its present focus on the ecology of stream and river insect populations to a program emphasizing the role of riparian biotic and geochemical factors in regulating the dynamics of stream systems. The long-term goals are to develop the functional relationships between alluvial floodplains and its drainage network. Initially, research will focus on mechanisms regulating input storage, transformation and release of nutrients between the riparian system and streams. Volume 1 reports on field studies of natural and thermally modified river systems, as well as laboratory studies on electrophoretic analysis of insects. 12 refs., 17 figs., 2 tabs.