Ecological status of a newly impounded sub-saharan reservoir based on benthic macroinvertebrates community (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

Abstract

In West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, the aquatic ecosystems are under human pressures. Therefore, for long term management of these ecosystems, the managers need baseline data for regular assessment of ecological health condition. In this regard, the structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was investigated and the relationship between the environmental variables and biotic indices of the Samandéni reservoir from January to December 2018, after one-year impoundment was explored. The macroinvertebrates were collected with a hand net (25 × 25 cm 2 coverage area and 500 μm mesh) according to the multi-habitat sampling method. Key environmental variables such as temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and total dissolve solids (TDS) were measured in situ. High diversity of macroinvertebrates was reported and thirty-four (34) taxa were determined belonging to eight (8) orders dominated by insects (79.41% of all taxa). Good ecological quality of the reservoir was testified by the presence of several sensitive taxa like Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. The trends of environmental variables also reflect good habitat conditions. The results revealed a strong and negative relationship between some abiotic variables and biotic indices. The finding of this study is of big importance for sustainable management of the Samandéni Reservoir.

Supporting of biodiversity in Sahelian arid areas: Case of artificial lakes and macroinvertebrates

“…Insects constitute the most abundant and divers groups in all sites. These results lie in the same line to those of [4], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [18] and [20] who have demonstrated that insects are the most abundant and diverse group in tropical aquatic ecosystems. This can be explained by the fact that insects are resistant groups, and can adapt to different habitat conditions, even those of man-made, as demonstrated by authors [4].…”

“…Thus, these artificial waterbodies are also populated by several species of fish, amphibians and aquatic birds. Many studies have shown that aquatic biota, and particularly the macroinvertebrates are key animals in water because they are mostly influenced by several factors such as ecosystem types, waters variables and multiple anthropogenic pressures [4], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10] and [11]. These men-made lakes provide several advantages but they rarely documented.…”

Benthic macroinvertebrates ecology: distribution and niche shift in Sahelian reservoir in Burkina Faso

“…Also, in Burkina Faso, the diversity of macroinvertebrate and their relationship with environmental parameters have been undertaken (Guenda, 1996;Kabré et al, 2000;2002;Sanogo et al, 2014;2021;Kaboré et al, 2016a;b;Bancé et al, 2021a;b). But, the shift of macroinvertebrates communities for optimal physico-chemical factors condition is still very poorly documented.…”