A multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrates for evaluation of Atlantic Forest streams at Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

This study describes the application of a protocol for biological assessment of water quality at first to third order streams at Serra dos Ó rgã os, an area covered by Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Major impacts in the region are domestic effluents and deforestation. Our main objective is to establish biocriteria for the establishment of the Serra dos Ó rgã os Multimetric Index (SOMI) based on benthic macroinvertebrates. We used data from previous studies, sampled by experienced biologists, from 1999 through 2002. The benthic macroinvertebrate community was sampled in 12 reference sites and seven impaired sites in three river basins: Guapimirim, Macaé and Grande, all from the same bioregion. From the 22 tested metrics, 6 were included in the SOMI (% Diptera, % Coleoptera, Family Taxa, EPT Taxa, BMWP-CETEC and % Shredders). Scores (5, 3 or 1) were developed for these metrics to allow for aggregation into the index. Seven intermediately impaired sites were used for evaluating the applicability of the multimetric index. We concluded that the SOMI is a robust easy-to-apply tool for biomonitoring programs in the Serra dos Ó rgã os region, south-east Brazil.

Relationship between space distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates community and trophic state in a Neotropical reservoir (Itupararanga, Brazil)

“…Many works demonstrate that benthic macroinvertebrates community can also be altered in response to anthropogenic environmental changes, as land uses (Miserendino et al 2011), riparian forest impacts and effluents loading (Baptista et al 2007, Couceiro et al 2007, Gamito & Furtado 2009, Sharma & Rawat 2009 and also by pollution by industrial effluents (Moreno & Callisto 2006). Several taxa from benthic macroinvertebrates community and a wide range of biological indexes and metrics have been widely employed as environmental indicators (Bode et al 2002, Mandaville 2002, Fusari & Fonseca-Gessner 2006, Baptista et al 2007, Baptista 2008, Angradi et al 2009).…”

“…Several taxa from benthic macroinvertebrates community and a wide range of biological indexes and metrics have been widely employed as environmental indicators (Bode et al 2002, Mandaville 2002, Fusari & Fonseca-Gessner 2006, Baptista et al 2007, Baptista 2008, Angradi et al 2009). …”

Relationships of shredders, leaf processing and organic matter along a canopy cover gradient in tropical streams

“…In an Atlantic Forest environmental quality assessment, Baptista et al (2007) concluded that shredder abundance was related to reference sites. In general, reference sites exhibit features that match with shredders demands, like litter accumulation and lower temperatures due riparian vegetation presence.…”

Development of a benthic multimetric index for the Serra da Bocaina bioregion in Southeast Brazil

“…Based on the procedures described in Klemm et al (2003), Baptista et al (2007) and Baptista et al (2011) we followed four steps to develop the Multimetric Index for Serra da Bocaina (MISB). First we tested if metrics defined in the SOMI (Family Richness, Ephemeroptera + Plecoptera + Trichoptera (EPT) Richness, % Coleoptera, % Diptera, BMWP-CETEC, % Shredders) could be used for SB region.…”

“…Recently, there is a great effort to develop and test bioassessment protocols in Brazil using benthic macroinvertebrates (CETESB 2002;Baptista et al, 2007;Mugnai et al, 2008;Buss and Borges, 2008;Moreno et al, 2009, Buss and Vitorino, 2010Baptista et al, 2011;Ferreira et al, 2011, Couceiro et al, 2012. In Rio de Janeiro State, one multimetric index (Serra dos Órgãos Multimetric Index -SOMI; Baptista et al, 2007) was developed to Serra do Mar area. In this study, we developed and tested a Multimetric Index for Serra da Bocaina region (MISB), a different area in the same ecoregion.…”