A Faunal Analysis of the Springs of the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas

摘要

A faunal survey was made of 33 spring ecosystems in a 135 by 80 km study area in the Arkansas Ouachita Mountains physiographic province, extending west from Hot Springs to the Oklahoma line. Springs in this province were characterized as being generally faunistically-poor. A total of 40 invertebrate species and eight vertebrate species were collected from the spring environs during the course of the study; five additional invertebrate species (two amphipods, three caddisflies) were discovered from a detailed literature search, making a total finding of 53 aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species that characterize the springs in this mountain physiographic province. Water quality of the springs is characterized as potable, with calcium (calcium bicarbonate) as the major element.