Research articles
ScienceAsia (): 292-302 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874...292
Check dams exacerbate the effects of high flow on
aquatic insect communities in tropical stream of northern Thailand
Phuchiwan Suriyawonga,*, Decha Thapanyab, Elizabeth A. Bergeyc, Porntip Chantaramongkolb
ABSTRACT: Check dams have been widely constructed in Thai streams and our study examined effects of dam-caused
flow regime changes on aquatic insect communities. The flow regime of Huay Kaew Stream in Doi Suthep-Pui National
Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand was separated into two periods: high flow and low flow periods, which characterize
the natural flow dynamics in tropical streams. The sampling sites in three altitudes (1500, 900, and 500 m asl.)
of the stream showed a similar trend in the effects of check dams during high flow. High discharge reduced the
density of aquatic insects but this reduction was locally greater near check dams. Higher changes in water velocity at
dammed sites caused greater decreases in aquatic insect community abundance because of alternating accumulation
and dislodgement of fine sediment and leaf pack habitat below dams. An increase in cobble habitat because of dam
erosion below a non-permanent check dam helped mitigate the effects of high flow and flow disturbance on aquatic
insect density. A high density of check dams likely affects streambed structure and insect composition within the stream
system.
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Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000 Thailand |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: phuchiwan_s@cmu.ac.th
Received 6 Mar 2017, Accepted 20 Jun 2018
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