Replicability of physicochemistry and macroinvertebrate assemblages in stream mesocosms: implications for experimental research

1. The replicability of mesocosms is assessed in a case study of artificial streams (4 m(2)) flanking a lowland chalk river in southern U.K. Among-mesocosm comparisons of physicochemistry and macroinvertebrate assemblage composition (in drift and benthos) were made during a 2-year survey of 12 outdoor once-through linear channels. 2. Mesocosm physicochemistry was highly replicable, with statistically significant congruence in temporal variation across the mesocosm series, low spatial variation and no significant blocking or positional effects arising from mesocosm layout. Parallel physicochemistry was attributed to the outdoor stream-side location and short water residence times. 3. Mesocosms were colonized by 127 macroinvertebrate taxa from 15 taxonomic orders. Both benthic and drifting assemblages were comparable among mesocosms, with no significant effect of mesocosm layout. Small differences in taxonomic composition were, however, evident among particular mesocosms, with higher (e.g. Tinodes, Limnius and Elmis) or lower (e.g. Pisidium and Valvata) abundances observed for a minority (5%) of taxa. We conclude that large (4 m(2)) outdoor flow - through mesocosms can be replicable when located near to the source system and allowed to establish naturally.