Variation in macroinvertebrate community structure of functional process zones along the river continuum: New elements for the interpretation of the river ecosystem synthesis

We examined how communities of macroinvertebrates occurring in functional process zones (FPZs) are affected by the location FPZs river continuum. delineated for three rivers displaying significant disparities elevation, annual precipitation, valley shape, and other valley-scale hydrogeomorphic variables. extracted corresponding macroinvertebrate community data from US National Water Quality Monitoring Council database matched it to stream order (SO) FPZ delineations. structure partitioning variances associated with SO Then, we variation as patterns beta-diversity different SOs. In total, 23 FPZ-SO configurations were examined. delineations contributed similarly variance communities. Taxa turnover accounted majority compositional change along continuum, while composition showed primarily a nested structure. Pairwise comparison each continuum that differences occurred at high rivers. this manuscript, show only partially comparable changes occur when comparing distant bring, therefore, new elements improve interpretation River Ecosystem Synthesis concept can have wider implications understanding biocomplexity patchiness networks.