Factors Influencing the Functional Roles of Crayfish in Stream Ecosystems

Results supported an important role for juvenile crayfish in both systems. At Jordan Creek, juveniles were >10 times more abundant than adults during summer and likely accounted for the majority of crayfish effects in the stream. At Shivering Sands Creek, small crayfish greatly reduced the abundance of many invertebrate taxa and also accelerated leaf litter breakdown rates within enclosures. In times and places where they are abundant, juvenile crayfish may strongly modify ecosystem processes and benthic invertebrate assemblages in streams.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Hoekstra, Jon D.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel A. Soluk

• Biology, Zoology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3130935

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/87013