Spatial variability in water quality and macroinvertebrate assemblages across a disturbance gradient in the Mara River Basin, Kenya

Lubanga, Henry L.; Manyala, Julius O.; Sitati, Augustine; Yegon, Mourine J.; Masese, Frank O.

doi:10.1016/j.ecohyd.2021.03.001

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Overall, the forested sites (upstream) exhibited higher abundance and diversity in Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera taxa. Our findings regarding the high abundance and diversity in the upstream sites are consistent with previous studies conducted on high‐elevation rivers in Kenya, including those by Abong'o et al (2015), Jacobsen (2008), Kibichii et al (2007), Kilonzo et al (2014), Lubanga et al (2021), Masese, Muchiri, and Raburu (2009), Masese, Raburu, and Muchiri (2009), and Yegon et al (2021).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Longitudinal patterns of abundance, diversity and functional feeding guilds of benthic communities in East African tropical high‐altitude streams

Benjamin,

Abuya,

Omollo

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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In temperate and tropical rivers, macroinvertebrates are commonly utilised for biological monitoring. Therefore, it is important to understand their functional feeding guilds and assemblage structure. However, there have been few studies in high‐altitude rivers in East Africa aimed at assessing macroinvertebrate functional guilds. In this study, we examined the macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics using abundance/diversity metrics and the functional feeding groups (FFGs). We collected physicochemical data and macroinvertebrate samples at seven sites along the Gura River and three sites on the Sagana River. Dissolved oxygen concentration, water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, ammonia, and soluble reactive phosphorus showed significant differences among the sites (p < 0.05). A total of 32 families belonging to 11 orders of macroinvertebrates were collected during the study period. Overall, scrapers were the most abundant FFG, dominated by Heptageniidae (Afronurus). Collector filters and collector gatherers were the second most abundant, while shredders and predators exhibited the least relative abundance. Across all the dominant orders, macroinvertebrate abundance decreased from upstream to downstream sites, with upstream sites exhibiting high diversity and abundance of Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Trichoptera taxa. Furthermore, the FFGs in this study differed widely from the River Continuum Concept predictions. Our findings provide crucial understanding of macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics in high‐altitude rivers. Thus, this study provides additional evidence on the high abundance and diversity of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera taxa in tropical rivers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Longitudinal patterns of abundance, diversity and functional feeding guilds of benthic communities in East African tropical high‐altitude streams

Benjamin,

Abuya,

Omollo

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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“…Seasonality did not show a marked influence on urban disturbance effects on water quality, with physicochemical indicators of urban land use not differing between the dry and wet seasons (Table 2). The increased nutrient concentrations in the highly disturbed sites are consistent with previous studies in urban impacted areas in the tropics 10,29,66 . Similarly, earlier studies 9,46,[67][68][69] reported a significant increase in nutrient enrichment in the Niger Delta Regions of Nigeria.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Insights from the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria on the impacts of urban pollution on the functional organisation of Afrotropical macroinvertebrates

Edegbene

Akamagwuna

2022

Sci Rep

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Anthropogenic activities, including urbanisation and industrialisation threaten stream ecological integrity, ecosystem community structure and ecosystem functioning of rivers and streams worldwide. However, developing sustainable monitoring strategies for ecological health remains a critical challenge in Africa. We examined the effects of urban disturbance on macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in selected streams in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. We sampled 11 sites between 2008 and 2012 and grouped into three site groups (Site groups 1 > 2 > 3). The groups represent an increasing gradient of urban pollution. Our result showed that urban-induced disturbances affected physicochemical variables in the study area (PERMANOVA; p < 0.05), with nutrients NO2-N, PO4-P, and electrical conductivity being significantly higher in impacted Site group 3 (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Predators and gatherers were the most dominant Functional Feeding Group recorded in the study area, while shredders were the least abundant macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups. The multivariate RLQ analysis revealed that shredders, predators, and scrapers were tolerant of urban pollution, whereas gatherers were sensitive to increasing urban pollution. Overall, macroinvertebrates Functional Feeding Groups responded differentially to urban pollution in the Niger Delta Region. Identifying pollution indicator Functional Feeding Groups is seen as an important step towards developing a reliable, low-cost tool for riverine monitoring of urban pollution effects in Africa.

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“…(2014a, 2014b, 2018) and Lubanga et al. (2021), etc., apart from the rare tortoise‐shell bearer Agapetus (Glossosomatidae) not reported from Kenya before.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…its upper section, the river runs in the proximity of scattered rural settlements and it is sided all along by a partially degraded riparian forest (see Giberti et al, 2021). et al (2014a, 2014b, 2018) and Lubanga et al (2021), etc., apart from the rare tortoise-shell bearer Agapetus (Glossosomatidae) not reported from Kenya before.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low redundancy among caddisflies sharing a mid‐mountain stream

Pacini,

Travagliante,

Methu

et al. 2023

Afr J Ecol

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In fast‐flowing streams, caddisfly larvae are responsible for processes that collectively determine the efficiency with which the detritivore community is able to decompose autochthonous and allochthonous detritus. This ecosystem function ensures high water quality and represents a precious service for resident rural communities. The analysis of δ13C and δ15N in eight caddisfly taxa from a mid‐mountain stream evidenced a remarkable complementarity in their feeding preferences. An aquatic moth mimicking the caddis mode of life was also included in the survey and its feeding niche appeared to be in between the one of caddis taxa. Moderate niche overlap was interpreted in terms of low functional redundancy, implying that in case of a reduction in diversity, no taxon could be a perfect substitute for another, with a loss of functional efficiency. Low redundancy could be caused by niche segregation due to avoidance of competition/interference between taxa. The broad range of δ13C and δ15N described in this study warns against attributing single δ13C and δ15N to Trichoptera as a group, or even to single families. These results contribute to the still poorly known distribution of East African caddisflies and to the characterisation of feeding preferences of Afrotropical trichopteran larvae.

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Spatial variability in water quality and macroinvertebrate assemblages across a disturbance gradient in the Mara River Basin, Kenya

Cited by 19 publications

References 58 publications

Longitudinal patterns of abundance, diversity and functional feeding guilds of benthic communities in East African tropical high‐altitude streams

Longitudinal patterns of abundance, diversity and functional feeding guilds of benthic communities in East African tropical high‐altitude streams

Insights from the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria on the impacts of urban pollution on the functional organisation of Afrotropical macroinvertebrates

Low redundancy among caddisflies sharing a mid‐mountain stream

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