TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DYNAMICS IN LARGE RIVERS : EXAMPLE OF A LONG-TERM MONITORING OF THE MIDDLE RHONE RIVER

Biological impact in running water in relation with hydraulics and particularly with the increasing of anthropognic disturbances which tend to mask the natural functioning of rivers. Monitoring of the impacts of the alterations undergone by the middle Rhône river since the mid-1980's. Importance of discharge and temperature controlling the biological dynamics. Analysis of the changes of the structure and diversity of macro invertebrate communities in relation with discharge fluctuations. The fish community is more involved with climatic changes and variation in nutrient input seems to play a secondary role. Importance of the monitoring on a long term.