The effect of habitat structure on the spatial distribution of freshwater invertebrate populations

The structural components of aquatic ecosystems are water and substrates that are of different qualities. This chapter examines methods by which the effects of environmental heterogeneity on the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrates in lentic aquatic habitats may be studied, looking at zooplankton, and the profundal and littoral benthos. Particular attention is paid to Elliptio complanata (Unionidae) in the sandy littoral of Lac de l'Achigan, Quebec, where a correlation between mussel abundance and substrate organic matter content is discussed. -P.J.Jarvis