Flood pulses drive the temporal dynamics of assemblages of aquatic insects (Heteroptera and Coleoptera) in a temperate floodplain

Lowland riverine floodplains are among the most dynamic and heterogeneous of ecosystems, but many have been extensively modified. Their provision of important habitats provides a key motivation for restoring natural flow regimes (in terms of magnitude, frequency, duration, timing and rate of change of hydrological conditions). Despite general recognition that aquatic insects respond to changes in water availability, there is little agreement about the influence of flow regime components on community structure in floodplains. We analysed a 6‐year (2005 and 2007–2011) data set of aquatic insects (Heteroptera and Coleoptera) in a large Danubian floodplain characterised by pronounced hydrological variability. We hypothesised that abundance and assemblage structure would depend on flow regime components. In particular, we predicted that high‐flow events in the mainstream and concurrent high‐magnitude floods of prolonged duration would have a positive effect on diversity and abundance and that insect assemblages would differ between phases of hydrological connectivity. In addition, we assessed whether the survival of two threatened aquatic insects, Graphoderus bilineatus and Berosus geminus, depends on hydrological connectivity. Abundance and species richness of Heteroptera and Coleoptera increased during years with frequent extremely high flood pulses and prolonged flooding. Multivariate ordination showed subtle relationships between hydrological conditions, hydrological connectivity and insect assemblages with number of days in flood providing the best fit. Spring floods had a more pronounced effect on the assemblages than autumn floods. The time lag between flood occurrence and its apparent effect on aquatic insects was 17–31 days, reflecting insect life cycles. The abundance of G. bilineatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) was affected by mean water level during the month preceding sampling, whereas the abundance of B. geminus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) was related to the occurrence of prolonged high‐magnitude floods. The current water regime of the Danube River favours generalist species with high dispersal capacities and broad niches and food resources. Changes in flow management practices could remove the positive influence of floods on aquatic insect communities and lead to losses of threatened species that depend on these river–floodplain habitats. Our results contribute to the understanding necessary for appropriate evaluation and prioritisation of international floodplain conservation efforts.