Aquatic invertebrate communities of Lake Erie coastal wetlands: taxa richness, community composition, and spatial distribution

Authors

  • M. Dobrin University of Windsor
  • J. Gathman University of Wisconsin - River Falls, River Falls, WI USA
  • S. V. Ivanova School of the Environment, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4
  • S. Johnson Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4
  • L. Wang Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4
  • E. Mancini Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4
  • G. E. Fiorino Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON Canada M3H 5T4
  • G. P. Grabas Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON Canada M3H 5T4
  • V. J. Brady Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth, Duluth, MN USA
  • M. J. Cooper Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI USA
  • G. A. Lamberti University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
  • D. G. Uzarski Central Michigan University, Institute for Great Lakes Research, Mount Pleasant, MI USA
  • J. J. H. Ciborowski Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4

Abstract

Coastal wetlands are dynamic systems that are ecologically highly diverse and with their great productivity provide critical habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. A detailed description of the structure of wetland-invertebrate communities is key baseline information that can improve understanding of biotic and abiotic factors influencing coastal wetlands. This 18-year study documents and describes the distribution, relative abundance and time trends of the invertebrate community.  Between 2004 and 2022, aquatic macroinvertebrates were enumerated from sweep-net samples in 71 coastal wetlands bordering Lake Erie. The 83 families and 154 genera collected were numerically dominated by aquatic insects and crustaceans. Annelids, molluscs, and other taxa were present but less prevalent. The most abundant and broadly distributed groups were Amphipoda (most commonly Hyalella), Diptera (primarily Chironomidae), Hemiptera, and Odonata, respectively. Coleoptera were most diverse, followed by Hemiptera and Diptera. Invasive species commonly found within Lake Erie proper (gastropods Bithynia tentaculata and Bellamya spp., Dreissena spp bivalves, and amphipods Gammarus tigrinus and Echinogammarus ischnus) were uncommon in wetlands. Genera of Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Amphipoda, sometimes used as indicators of good ecological condition, were so widespread that their value in diagnosing the condition of Lake Erie wetlands may be limited unless their relative abundances are considered.

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Published

2026-04-21

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 3 (2026)

Section

JASM special issue on Lake Erie

License

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