Journal of Freshwater Ecology

Macroinvertebrates in Agricultural Streams

The nonpoint source nature of most agricultural pollution further compounds challenges to identify direct causes of stream degradation and find specific remediation strategies. Many authors have noted impacts of agriculture on steam ecosystem structure and function, particularly in North America, but the global extent and range of agricultural practices suggest that we still have much to learn about these altered ecosystems and what might be done to conserve their ecological integrity.

Streams in agricultural landscapes are often highly disturbed and support a host of tolerant organisms. Consequently, these systems have not held the attraction of many researchers nor have they played as significant a role in the development of stream ecosystem theory as their counterparts in pristine, often forested, environments. Yet, streams impacted by agriculture are a pervasive part of the global landscape and worthy of further study as we strive to understand and protect freshwater resources.

Due to their ubiquity and diversity, macroinvertebrates play critical roles in stream ecosystem structure and function and have informed our understanding of ecological processes in lotic environments. Macroinvertebrates often link lower trophic levels (e.g., periphyton and primary producers) with higher trophic levels (e.g., invertebrate and vertebrate predators), play critical roles in organic matter processing, and indirectly affect nutrient spiraling. This diverse assemblage of organisms also exhibits a range of environmental requirements and tolerances to contaminants. Understanding the role that macroinvertebrates play and how they respond to different agricultural and land-use practices will shed light on the health of the streams they inhabit; they have been critical to biological monitoring and environmental assessment throughout the world.

In this Article Collection, we invite contributions from scientists investigating a range of topics relating to macroinvertebrates in agricultural landscapes. Whether studying the response of individual species to agricultural stressors, evaluating the impact of different agricultural and/or conservation practices, or the complicated ways in which multiple stressors impact stream macroinvertebrate communities, macroinvertebrates have much to teach us about agricultural streams. As we recognize the interdisciplinary nature of environmental challenges, we must also appreciate that research focusing on a range of scales, from organisms to ecosystem processes, can contribute to our understanding of the ecological challenges posed by agriculture. Review articles and meta-analyses that synthesize current knowledge about macroinvertebrates in agricultural streams, how agricultural streams contribute to paradigms in stream ecology, and future research needs in these altered, yet widespread, ecosystems will also be considered.

Keywords:

1. Agricultural Streams
2. Macroinvertebrate
3. Aquatic insects
4. Stream biomonitoring
5. Nonpoint source pollution

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is July 17, 2026.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Guest Advisors declare no potential conflicts of interests in line with our Editorial Policies.

Tracey Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology, has studied macroinvertebrates in stream, spring and lake ecosystems impacted by agriculture throughout her career.  She teaches freshwater biology and entomology at the University of Minnesota Morris.  She conducts research and mentors undergraduate research students in agricultural streams and prairie pothole lakes.  Their research focuses on biodiversity and functional roles of macroinvertebrates in these ecosystems.

Sarah (Winnie) Winikoff, Assistant Professor of Biology and Chemistry, is an aquatic ecologist focusing on stream and wetland ecosystems.  Her work primarily focuses on the effects of management and restoration practices on biodiversity, species distribution, plant and invertebrate community composition, water quality, nutrient remediation, and other ecosystem services.