Aquatic insect, amphipod, and isopod communities and habitat gradients in Missouri spring systems

In Missouri, the crenobiology and ecology of small spring systems are poorly studied and understood. The goal of this study was to examine aquatic insect, amphipod, and isopod communities and associated habitat gradients in six low discharge rheocrene spring systems in the prairie and Ozarks regions of Missouri. Quantitative samples were taken in increments up to 400 meters from the spring orifice using a surber sampler. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to determine which habitat gradients play the biggest role in influencing community composition.