Yen Dinh

Citation

Thesis Title
The effects of hydrological and nutrient disturbance on stream invertebrate communities using a trait-based approach

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Anthropogenic activities can cause significant impacts on stream communities and may lead to species loss if traits of the local fauna are not compatible with the new environmental conditions. Findings from trait analysis can easily transfer from one region or country to another, thus a trait-based approach creates a comparative tool for environmental management over a range of scales. Ms Dinh researched the effects of hydrological and nutrient disturbance on invertebrate communities in streams in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Vietnam predominately with a trait-based approach. She found that aquatic invertebrates that survive at a site have trait characteristics that are highly compatible with both the hydrological and nutrient conditions at that site. In addition, she proposed solutions for two main limitations of current trait-based studies. Her findings highlight the importance of examining trait responses to advance our understanding of how environmental conditions structure stream communities.

Supervisors
Professor Russell Death
Professor Ian Fuller