Sains Malaysiana 47(7)(2018): 1379–1386

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4707-04

Aquatic Insect Functional Feeding Groups in a Mountain Stream with a Series of Check Dams in Northern Thailand

(Serangga Akuatik Kumpulan Suapan Berfungsi di Aliran Air Gunung dengan Siri Halangan Empangan di Utara Thailand)

PHUCHIWAN SURIYAWONG^1*, DECHA THAPANYA², ELIZABETH A. BERGEY³

& PORNTIP CHANTARAMONGKOL³

¹Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University

50200 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand

²Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, 50200 Huay Kaew Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand

³Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, 73019 Norman, OK, United States of America

Received: 5 September 2017/Accepted: 3 March 2018

ABSTRACT

A series of check dams (or small dams in shallow streams) have been placed on many streams throughout Thailand and the number of them continue to increase. Check dam construction activities have been emphasized by the government and private sector entities over the last decade to prevent severe flood or drought due to changes in rainfall patterns. This study evaluated distribution of functional feeding groups (FFG) in a stream with a high density of check dams were used. Twelve sampling sites at three altitudes (500, 900 and 1500 m asl) included undammed and nearby dammed sections (above and below check dams). Aquatic insects were collected monthly at each site for a year and categorized into FFG. Aquatic insect composition of undammed and above dam sites was different. Abundance within each FFG at above dam sites significantly differed from undammed sites. Taxonomic richness at 1500 and 900 m altitudes was decreased at above dam sites compared with the corresponding undammed sites, whereas above dam sites of 500 m altitude had higher richness than undammed site. High abundance of predators and collector-gatherers associated with reservoirs and fine sediment accumulation above dams, where filter-feeders were scarce. Shredder abundance varied among sites and was highest where leaf packs were most abundant. Scrapers were least abundant group and inconsistent with the dams. Distribution of FFG was similar to changes in other regulated streams. The composition of FFG reflected the stream ecosystem conditions through adaptation of communities to stream habitat and food resources, including those associated with check dam construction.

Keywords: Habitat alteration; regulated streams; shredders; small dams; stream alteration

ABTRAK

Satu siri halangan empangan penyekat (atau empangan kecil di sungai cetek) telah digunakan di kebanyakan sungai di seluruh Thailand dan bilangannya terus meningkat. Pembinaan halangan empangan telah ditekankan oleh kerajaan dan sektor swasta sejak sedekad yang lalu untuk mencegah banjir yang teruk atau kemarau akibat perubahan pola hujan. berkepadatan tinggi. Dua belas lokasi persampelan di tiga ketinggian (500, 900 dan 1500 m) termasuk bahagian bawah dan yang berhampiran (empangan atas dan bawah) telah digunakan. Serangga akuatik dikumpulkan setiap bulan di setiap tapak selama setahun dan dikategorikan ke dalam FFG. Komposisi serangga akuatik dari tapak empangan dan tak terempang adalah berbeza. Kelimpahan dalam setiap FFG di atas tapak empangan amat berbeza daripada tak terempang yang tidak dapat dijelaskan. Kekayaan taksonomi pada ketinggian 1500 dan 900 m menurun apabila melebihi ketinggian tapak empangan berbanding dengan yang tak terempang, sedangkan tapak empangan yang melebihi ketinggian 500 m mempunyai kekayaan taksonomi yang lebih tinggi daripada kawasan tak terempang. Kebanyakan kelimpahan pemangsa dan pemungut dikaitkan dengan takungan dan pengumpulan sedimen yang halus di atas empangan dengan penapis pemakan jarang ditemui. Kelimpahan pencincang berbeza antara lokasi dengan lokasi daun paling rimbun mencatatkan pengumpulan tertinggi. Pengikis adalah kumpulan yang paling sedikit dan tidak tekal dengan empangan. Pengagihan FFG adalah sama dengan perubahan dalam aliran lain yang dikawal. Komposisi FFG mencerminkan keadaan ekosistem sungai melalui adaptasi masyarakat untuk pengaliran habitat dan sumber makanan, termasuk yang berkaitan dengan pembinaan halangan empangan.

Kata kunci: Empangan kecil; pencincang; pengubahan sungai; perubahan aliran; perubahan habitat

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*Corresponding author; email: phuchiwan_s@cmu.ac.th