Comparisons of zooplankton and phytoplankton in created shallow water habitats of the lower Missouri River: implications for native fish

摘要: Shallow water habitat (SWH) is important for riverine fish and their invertebrate prey, yet the availability of SWH has declined in many systems due to human impacts. We evaluated potential ecological benefits restoring by comparing zooplankton phytoplankton from created backwaters (a floodplain feature connected river on downstream end but disconnected at upstream end) chutes side channel that diverts flow main through chute back into channel) lower Missouri River. tested hypothesis support higher abundances than using data were collected during summer 2010. As predicted, had more diverse cladoceran communities greater rotifers, copepod nauplii, adult copepods, cladocerans chutes. Total algal biovolume was same backwaters; however, taxa richness backwaters, there a green algae (Chlorophyta), Crypotophyta, cyanobacteria, Euglenophyta Differences between appeared be related slower current velocities, longer retention times, levels turbidity total suspended solids backwaters. While have provide diversity mainstem, no differences quality or abundance, community structure, these two habitats. Combined, our results suggest initially food resource native fishes. However, additional research needed determine whether can also develop beneficial shallow features over period time.