| Title |
Microhabitat Overlap and Mesohabitat Specificity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates Based on Quadrat Sampling in the Jojong Stream |
| Authors |
공동수(Dongsoo Kong) ; 권용주(Yongju Kwon) ; 정찬영(Chanyoung Jeong) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.15681/KSWE.2025.41.6.439 |
| Keywords |
Benthic macroinvertebrates; Jojong stream; Levins’ niche breadth; Mesohabitat; NMS ordination; Pianka niche overlap |
| Abstract |
This study investigated the mesohabitat preferences of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Jojong stream, Kyeonggi-do, South Korea, utilizing 160 quadrats across four sites and four habitat types: riffles, runs, pools, and riparians. The results indicated that broader stream channels support greater overall species richness and abundance; however, species values per unit area may decline. Further research is needed to determine whether this pattern arises from habitat aggregation, dispersal, or other factors. Notably, over half of the species were found outside of riffles, highlighting the necessity for multi-habitat approaches. Based on the Levins’ breadth index values and the significance of the permutation test, the generalist species identified in the Jojong stream include Dugesia sp. and Rhyacophila lata. Among the 157 identified species, the pairs with the highest Pianka niche overlap were all from different genera, suggesting that spatial isolation may occur during speciation. This finding warrants experimental verification. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination distinctly separated riffles and runs, while pools and riparians functionally clustered together. Habitat-specific species included eight riffle specialists (e.g., Rhyacophila brevicephala, Hydropsyche orientalis), one run-specific species (Onychogomphus ringens), and six associated with pools and riparians (e.g., Siphlonurus chankae, Davidius lunatus). While site-specific, this study emphasizes the importance of mesohabitat diversity and microhabitat heterogeneity in assessing national stream health and biodiversity, advocating for long-term research on niche dynamics, competition, and dispersal. |