Disentangling natural and anthropogenic effects on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in western US streams.

ABSTRACT: Stream macroinvertebrate assemblages are shaped by natural and human-related factors that operate through complex hierarchical pathways. Quantifying these relationships can provide additional insights into stream ecological assessment. We applied a structural equation modeling framework to evaluate hypothesized pathways by which watershed, riparian, and in-stream factors affect benthic macroinvertebrate condition in the Western Mountains (WMT) and Xeric (XER) ecoregions in the United States. We developed a conceptual model grounded in theory, empirical evidence, and expert opinion to evaluate the following hypotheses: (1) macroinvertebrate assemblages are primarily driven by proximal, in-stream factors (e.g., water quality and physical habitat); (2) anthropogenic land uses affect macroinve

SUBMITTER: Fergus CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11235210 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature