02311nas a2200217   4500008004100000245016300041210006900204300001300273490000800286520157200294653001601866653001001882653001701892653002801909653001901937100001901956700001701975700001701992700001802009856006602027       2013                        eng d00aInfluence of macroconsumers, stream position, and nutrient gradients on invertebrate assemblage development following flooding in intermittent prairie streams0 aInfluence of macroconsumers stream position and nutrient gradien  a169 -1820 v7143 a<p>Climate change in the US Great Plains is expected to result in less frequent but more severe floods. This will affect hydrologic cycles, stream organisms, and ultimately ecosystem structure and function. We examined factors influencing invertebrate assemblages following flooding in 3 reaches (20 pools) of Kings Creek, an intermittent prairie stream on the Konza Prairie Biological Station, using replicated macroconsumer enclosures (fishless, dace, shiners, ambient). Invertebrate densities and biomass increased rapidly following scouring, including rapid colonizing taxa and relatively long-lived taxa, but macroconsumers had no significant effects. Rather, distance, which was negatively correlated with the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, from the downstream confluence with a larger stream significantly influenced assemblage structure, with higher richness and greater nutrient concentrations closer to the confluence. Results support previous findings that recovery patterns following flooding in this grassland stream are strongly influenced by proximity to refuges. Furthermore, physical rather than biological factors appear more influential in structuring invertebrate assemblages in these frequently disturbed systems. Predicted increases in the intensity and duration of hydrologic disturbances will increase direct impacts on stream communities, relative to indirect effects through potential changes in macroconsumer communities. Human activities that alter refuges may further impede recovery following hydrologic disturbances.</p>10adisturbance10aFlood10aInvertebrate10aMacroconsumer Gradients10aPrairie stream1 aBertrand, K.N.1 aWhiles, M.R.1 aGido, K., B.1 aMurdock, J.N.  uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10750-013-1534-5