Note on macrozoobenthic invertebrate assemblages from Natura 2000 ROSCI0045 Jiu Corridor

Abstract

Macrozoobenthic invertebrate assemblages are a very important component of water ecosystems that reflect water quality. The evaluation of these assemblages in the Jiului Corridor Natura 2000 site can highlight the natural value of aquatic invertebrate biodiversity. Thus, our study aimed to analyze seven streams from the Jiu Corridor Natura 2000 site from the point of view of the macrozoobenthic invertebrate assemblages' structure. The samples were collected in June 2020. Also, we measured the most important physicochemical parameters of the water. In the sample sites, we found a number of 31 taxa. There were differences between the sites depending on the riverbed type, hydrology, and human impact intensity. Totally, we have identified 15232 individuals of macrozoobenthic invertebrates. Even though the communities in the seven studied watercourses were different, these differences were not statistically significant. This fact, correlated with the high number of individuals and taxa, suggests the relict character of the macrozoobenthic invertebrate communities in the studied small watercourses. These aquatic habitats preserve the region`s biodiversity from before anthropic transformations.