Effectiveness of protected areas for the conservation of aquatic invertebrates: a study-case in southern Brazil

Abstract

Aim This work aimed to analyze the effectiveness of protected areas (PA) as maintainers of the fauna of benthic macroinvertebrates and the use of these in the water management of these areas. We tested the hypothesis that in streams located within the PA there will be greater abundance and diversity of organisms. Methods We collected macroinvertebrates in streams located inside and outside two PA in Southern Brazil: (Fritz Plaumann State Park, Santa Catarina, Teixeira Soares Municipal Natural Park, Rio Grande do Sul). In each stream we measured physical and chemical variables of the water. Three sub-samples of macroinvertebrates were collected on stony substrate with a Surber sampler and calculated abundance of organisms, rarefied richness, Shannon diversity and Evenness. Results The streams located in the interior of the PA presented well oxygenated waters and slightly basic pH. The electrical conductivity was higher in the external sections than the UC. We observed that rarefied richness, Shannon diversity and equitability were higher in the streams located inside the PA. PerMANOVA indicates that the composition was different between streams sections (p = 0.03) and PA (p = 0.01). Conclusions The use of organisms as bioindicators showed a potential response to the environmental integrity of streams. Thus, these organisms have potential for use by PA managers for monitoring and decision making on the maintenance of protected areas.

Seasonal records of benthic macroinvertebrates in a stream on the eastern edge of the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil

“… Diptera , Coleoptera , Odonata and Trichoptera were the richest orders in number of families. These orders are typical in studies of benthic macroinvertebrates ( Hepp et al 2010 , Moretto and Pujarra 2017 , Restello et al 2020 ). They show, in this sequence, a decrease in their tolerance to anthropogenic impacts ( Chang et al 2013 ).…”

Componentes da paisagem associados à silvicultura na Mata Atlântica que influenciam a comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos: um estudo de caso no sul do Brasil

“…Regarding the %EPT index, the values showed a small decrease along with the sample points (Table 2), however, Plecoptera was sampled only in P2 and P3, which may show unfavorable conditions for these taxa in the first point (P1) since stoneflies are quite sensitive to anthropic changes (e.g. Schimitt et al, 2019;Restello et al, 2020). In addition, Polymitarcyidae and Leptohyphidae were found only at P2, which can reinforce the good quality in this point.…”

“…Chironomidae were not abundant, presenting relative abundance between 0.7 to 2.2%, indicating good water quality. Although some members of this group can colonize preserved environments (Molineri et al, 2020;Santos et al, 2020), this group is frequently related to water pollution, showing tolerant species and higher abundance in human-impacted environments (Marques et al, 1999;Nicacio & Juen, 2015;Arimoro et al, 2018;Restello et al, 2020;Rosa et al, 2021).…”

“…Many studies have been done using biological methods, particularly aquatic macroinvertebrates, to access water quality (e.g. Hanna et al, 2020;Melo et al, 2020;Restello et al, 2020), since these organisms demonstrate great efficiency and reliability, presenting several sensitive taxa to many types of change, especially regarding anthropic interventions (Baptista, 2008). There are several biological indexes applicable for water quality evaluation and monitoring, such as the Biological Monitoring Working Party scoring system (BMWP) adapted to Brazil (BMWP') (e.g.…”

First records of Utricularia breviscapa C. Wright ex Griseb. (Lentibulariaceae) for Maranhão state, northeastern Brazil

“…These water parameters are favorable for the dispersion and colonization of aquatic invertebrates that are tolerant to the presence of large amounts of organic matter and variations in pH (Restello et al 2020). Thus, U. bre viscapa might benefit from the resources of the environment, since the species has structures that capture and digest small organisms (Taylor 1989).…”