Freshwater macroinvertebrates are commonly used as
indicators of stream condition. Various sampling methods have been developed to
ensure a consistent approach to sampling is undertaken. Underpinning these
methods is the need to conduct seasonal surveys, which traditionally occur in
spring and autumn. The reason for a seasonal approach is to capture specimens
at an ideal life stage when identification is easily achieved. This is
certainly the case with many invertebrate taxa; especially those that inhabit alpine
and sub-alpine streams with short aquatic life-stages where growth and
reproductive stages are strongly influenced by the onset of cold winters and
short summers. However in the more temperate Sydney basin, where daytime
temperatures seldom drop below 10 degrees Celsius, seasonal differences in the
invertebrate community may not be as pronounced. In this study we investigate
if seasonality exists in invertebrate communities of the Sydney basin. We use
family level macroinvertebrate data collected from streams across the Sydney
Basin to determine if differences in community assemblages vary between spring
and autumn. The implications of the
findings of this study may influence invertebrate monitoring programs across
the region and lead to the refinement of sampling programs and allocation of
appropriate resources.