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Riparian: Riparian Corridors for Insects
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IRiparian areas exhibit high terrestrial and aquatic insect densities due to the abundance of habitat present. Many insects live part of their lives in the riffles of streams attached to submerged rocks, logs and other vegetation. Moist vegetation, shallow wetland pools, and backwaters are also important to the insect life cycle. The riparian canopy provides insects with nourishment such as leaf detritus and other organic matter. Many insects living in the riparian corridor can be classified into one of three different groups. Shredders are classified as insects that consume coarse particulate organic matter. Insects classified as collectors are found where sunlight promotes algae growth, this group of insects' food source. The third classification of insects is the scrapers, which consume fine particulate organic matter. Insects are important to the riparian ecosystem; they provide an important link in the food chain. As the size of riparian corridors decrease, the habitat vitally important to insects does also. A decrease in the population of riparian insects directly impacts the health of a riparian area by decreasing the food supply for amphibians, birds, mammals and fish. |
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Oxbow River & Stream Restoration; 2905 Klondike Road; Delaware, OH 43015; (740) 362-4134. © 2008 Oxbow River & Stream Restoration, Inc. Last updated July-2008. |
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