Analyses of Benthic Community Structure in a Reservoir by Use of Diversity Indices

Abstract

Benthic macroinvertebrate and physicochemical collections were made monthly in four bays of Keystone Reservoir, Oklahoma, from early November 1965 through October 1966. Benthic community structures were subjected to species diversity analyses and the results were related to selected physicochemical estimates. A total of 25 benthic macroinvertebrate species were collected. There was a high, inverse correlation between diversity (d) and conductivity, and between d and depth. There was a direct, high correlation between conductivity and depth. There were significant differences in annual diversity (d) between bays which differed in water quality. Diversity indices were an easy and reliable method of determining long-term effects of waters of different qualities on the benthic fauna within reservoirs. The method should be of equal value when used on an entire reservoir, or in making comparisons between reservoirs.