Terrestrial and Aquatic invertebrate data on the Shasta River
Description
Terrestrial insect data collected with pitfall traps and vegetation specific beat sheeting. Also instream drift net samples collecting water column drifting terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. Lastly, vegetation assessments for percent cover data. All data collected on Shasta River, California 2020-2021 at locations above (upstream) and below (downstream) from a major water diversion. Samples collected over spring and summer months. Data collected and used for dissertation chapter manuscript by Tara McKinnon at University of Nevada, Reno.
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Steps to reproduce
Drift net data was collected instream following methods in Rhoades et al. (2024). Pitfall traps were setup upstream of drift nets in riparian forest starting at river’s edge, they consisted of a ~470 mL plastic cup embedded in ground and filled with soapy water and covered with mesh net (see notes in excel file for more details). Pitfall traps were left out a week at a time. Beat sheets were collected from specific vegetation types within 10 m of stream, a 0.5 m by 0.5 m beat sheet was held horizontally and vegetation beat 10 times and invertebrates collected via aspiration. In addition to normal beat we collected additional samples further from diversion point and regular site to explore gradient effects, these are referred to as stratified beat sheets. Invertebrates were identified down to Family level when possible. Invertebrate body length, excluding appendages, was measured and used to find dry mass (biomass) from published regression curves (Baumgärtner and Rothhaupt 2003; Benke et al. 1999; Ganihar 1997; Hódar 1997; Kaeriyama and Ikeda 2002; Méthot et al. 2012; Miserendino 2001; Poepperl 1998; Rogers, Buschbom, and Watson 1977; Rosati, Barbone, and Basset 2012; Sabo 2002; Rahkola, Karjalainen, and Avinsky 1998). Vegetation assessments were conducted once per year to understand composition (see excel sheet for methods). Diversity metrics were found using vegan package in R coding software. Location in all data sheets is in respect to the diversion, and distance from the diversion is positive numbers above and negative numbers below the diversion. Read McKinnon et. al (2026) dissertation chapter at the University of Nevada, Reno titled “Impacts of Stream Flow Regulation on Riparian and Aquatic Communities in the Upper Shasta River” for full methods and site details. Contact author for GPS point data, if needed.
Institutions
- University of Nevada, RenoNevada, Reno