Differential response of benthos to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in 3 lowland streams

The macroinvertebrate faunal assemblages of 8 sites on three small streams in SE England were examined annually in spring between 1987 and 1993. Considerable ‘natural’ variability was observed in the sites superimposed over a background of low-intensity anthropogenic disturbance such as farming, quarrying, and urban influences. Landscape changes and activities in the catchment (saline drainage, removal of topsoil, pipeline crossings of streams) associated with the construction of the UK terminal for the Channel Tunnel, resulted in further temporary disturbance at some of the sites. Most changes in faunal composition were related to natural and anthropogenically induced modifications of the stream substrate. The response and recovery time of sites to disturbances was very variable and was related to the hydraulic and substrate characteristics of the stream bed, with least change and quickest recovery at sites with coarse substrates and high slope. Variations between years in the occurrence of taxa were generally more apparent with species data than with family data except where environmental change was great. Despite the observed differences in faunal composition the main elements of the fauna were fairly constant throughout the study period. Analyses of the data with biotic indices, the predictive RIVPACS system and ordination analyses have all shown clearly the annual variability of faunal parameters used to measure environmental quality. The study has shown that very basic rapid assessment techniques can provide insights into faunal responses to disturbance, especially if the work is long-term and that before authoritative statements concerning environmental impact can be made it is essential to have knowledge of the natural variation to be expected in streams of differing characteristics.