Impact of Spatial and Environmental Variables on Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Hilly Ponds

Abstract Ponds are “islands” of independent habitats and research hotspots of regional biodiversity. This paper got some basic information about habitat conditions and aquatic macroinvertebrates in hilly ponds. Then we tried to provide a theoretical basis for the regional biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of the pond networks among basins. In this paper, the environmental and spatial variables concerned about aquatic macroinvertebrates in the ponds with different small basins of Liangping District, which is located in the east of Sichuan Basin, China, were investigated. The results showed that drainage basin effect did not occur among basins. The aquatic macroinvertebrates in the hilly ponds were mainly affected by altitude, nutrients, pH and other environmental factors. Within the basin scale, pond isolation was also one of the important factors affecting community structure. Considering the spatial pattern of the macroinvertebrate assemblages in the hilly ponds, the protection and management of those ponds need to focus on pond network other than a single pond, improve the habitat quality of the ponds, and ensure the cost-effectiveness and ecological benefits.