Flash-Floods Influence Macroinvertebrate Communities Distribution in Lotic Ecosystems

Abstract Stream dwelling invertebrate populations are facing an ample array of stressors including the habitat imbalance caused by important floods. In this research we used a novel way to estimate the impact of floods upon the substrate, by utilising a remote variable named “flash-flood potential” (FFP), which accounts for the site slope and the average slope of the upstream catchment. The results showed that certain groups are sensitive to the influence of the FFP whereas other are not. We propose this remote variable as a surrogate for assessing stress imposed by floods and sediment scouring for lotic macroinvertebrates.