Habitat and microhabitat distribution of stream insect communities of the Western Ghats.

摘要

The diversity and distribution of stream insect communities in three habitats and 33 microhabitats were explored using data collected from 39 localities in the Western Ghats. The diversity and abundance of taxa vary across habitats. The microhabitat richness was positively correlated and altitude negatively correlated with taxa richness in the cascades and riffles. In pools and cascades, per cent canopy cover and average annual rainfall were both positively correlated with taxa richness. Structurally complex microhabitats harboured more taxa than the unstable and detritus poor microhabitats. The importance of habitat and microhabitat distribution in understanding the spatial distribution of stream insects and developing biomonitoring tools is discussed..