La Trobe
MMCP FS 6 Biofilm 07122018.pdf (1.13 MB)

Response of basal resources to changing flows

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posted on 2020-05-01, 10:58 authored by Paul McInerney, Centre for Freshwater EcosystemsCentre for Freshwater Ecosystems

MMCP Collaboration (MMCP) is a project supported by the Joint State Governments and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to generate and adopt freshwater ecological knowledge through collaboration, to maintain research capability and contribute supporting science to underpin the Basin-Wide Watering Strategy.


Water level variations due to managed flows are known to influence both productivity and structural aspects of biofilms that inhabit hard surfaces within rivers. Microbial communities (algae, bacteria and fungi) that make up hard surface biofilms within streams support diverse macroinvertebrate communities and are the first responders to changed flow patterns. Biofilms are an important source of food for herbivorous consumers and form the foundation of many aquatic food webs. This project will investigate how flow influences the food quality of biofilms and implications for higher consumers.

History

Collaborating Institutions

La Trobe University; CSIRO

Research Contact

Paul McInerney - p.mcinerney@latrobe.edu.au