Stress, shredders and streams: using gammarus energetics to assess water quality

Maltby, L. (1994) Stress, shredders and streams: using gammarus energetics to assess water quality. In: Sutcliffe, D.W. (ed.) Water quality & stress indicators in marine and freshwater systems: linking levels of organisation. Ambleside, UK, Freshwater Biological Association, pp. 98-110. (FBA Special Publications,4)

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Abstract

This paper reviews the effectiveness of Gammarus scope for growth (SfG) as an indicator of water quality. In addition, the link between physiological changes and effects at higher levels of biological organisation is addressed. Exposure to a range of toxicants resulted in decreases in Gammarus SfG which were qualitatively and quantitatively correlated with subsequent reductions in growth and reproduction. Reductions in SfG were due principally to a decrease in energy intake (i.e. feeding rate) rather than an increase in energy expenditure. Gammarus pulex is an important shredder in many stream communities and stressed-induced reductions in its feeding activity were correlated with reductions in the processing of leaf litter by a semi-natural stream community. Hence, changes in the physiological energetics of Gammarus provide a general and sensitive indicator of stress which can be linked to effects at higher levels of biological organisation. Under long-term stress and hence prolonged reductions in SfG, animals may adapt by modifying their life-history strategies and producing fewer, larger offspring.

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