Relation entre la diversité du substrat et la diversité faunistique dansun bief belge de la rivière Meuse

Abstract

A quantitative study of the benthic invertebrates communities in relation with some natural and artificial substrate, used for the banks reinforcing, has been carried out in 9 sites of the Waulsort reach during the technical shutting down of the river Meuse (Belgium). The sites with high physical heterogeneity are caracterised by a high faunistic richness, a high diversity (33 famillies, 15 790 ind./m2, H' = 2, 08) and by a optimal colonisation of the substrate. The sites with artificial substrate, heavily homogeneous, are weakly welcoming for the benthic fauna (17 famillies, 1 352 ind/m2, H' = 0, 52). In the view of the coming arrangement of the banks of the Waulsort sluice, the building of a shelved wall with non-cemented bricks must be priviliged. © Gauthier-Villars, 1995.