Nestedness of stream insects in Subtropical region: importance of inter-annual temporal scale

Stream insects use in different ways the stream habitats which affect patterns of species occurrence on stream. The nestedness is one these being an ecological mechanism that generates beta diversity. In this study, we verify effects temporal environmental variations Chironomidae assemblages subtropical streams. We collected chironomid larvae during winter and summer three years (2010, 2011 2012) Brazilian Subtropical low-order streams (Erechim, state Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). measured variables each To assess if will show nested intra- interannual used a NODF metric. observed only year, pattern was due to variation limnological factors, are directly associated with climatic conditions (precipitation water temperature) agricultural management (e.g. dissolved oxygen nutrients). Climatological events community through time. precipitation values could be mainly factors influence for community. Finally, studies nesting time scales should consider inter-annual comparisons, as more evident.