AQUATIC MACROINVERTEBRATE BIODIVERSITY OF AN IRISH CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SYSTEM, TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUCTION

摘要

Constructed wetlands have the potential to support a wide variety of aquatic and semi aquatic biota. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the invertebrates that coloni i. such wetlands. This paper provides information on the macroinvertebrates that occur constructed wetlands in Baileborough, Co. Cavan, Ireland. The study was initiated shortly aftthe construction of the system and so provides an insight into its early colonization. The resul show that within two years of establishment, these wetland cells were colonized by a goog range of taxa (39), principally dipteran larvae. The abundance and richness of the taxa recorded in the final marsh were higher compared than those in the first two wetland cells. However, the final cell did not support any Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT). The addition another cell might provide a habitat with improved water quality which would be suitable fcolonization by the more pollution-sensitive taxa, thereby increasing the biodiversity potenti of the whole wetland system.