Structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages on a gradient of environmental integrity in Neotropical streams

Abstract

AIM: This study investigated the taxonomic composition of the benthic macroinvertebrates in streams to evaluate how this fauna reflects the various uses of the soil and to identify which groups of macroinvertebrates might be taken as characterizing each situation under study. METHODS: To achieve these objectives, 29 streams were collected and inserted in regions with different conservation using Surber sampler. Analyzes were performed of environmental variables (Principal Components Analysis - PCA) and taxonomic structure of the community (taxon richness, numerical abundance and Multidimensional scaling - MDS). RESULTS: EPT group (orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) and the Coleoptera exhibited greater numerical abundance and taxon richness in streams located in reference areas. In contrast, dipteran larvae, especially the chironomids, along with immature odonates, were more abundant in streams in areas suffering from a lack of riparian forest. Multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) revealed an environmental gradient, on which the streams within the Atlantic forest formed a tightly clustered group, as did those in semideciduous forests. However, the latter group occupied an intermediate position between the Atlantic forest streams and those in areas disturbed by human activity. Among these areas there were no specific clusters by monoculture. CONCLUSIONS: Among the groups of streams defined by the types of land use in the adjacent areas, the state of integrity was found to decline from Atlantic rainforest, through semi-deciduous forest and then pasture, to the monocultures of eucalypts and sugarcane.

A predictive multimetric index based on macroinvetebrates for Atlantic Forest wadeable streams assessment

“…The metrics used in the index are known to be able to distinguish between different impairment levels and have been used in other indices (Baptista et al 2007, Moya et al 2007, Oliveira et al 2011a, Lakew & Moog 2015, Melo et al 2015. The richness metrics (richness and EPT richness) are considered useful due to their response to structural changes impaired gradients in macroinvertebrate assemblages (Suriano et al, 2013). The metrics that increase with impact (%MOLD, Chironomidae abundance) are associated organic pollution caused by untreated wastewater effluents in urban areas and to the increase of suspended organic particles in rural areas (Baptista et al 2011).…”

Benthic Macroinvertebrates Diversity as Bioindicator of Water Quality of Some Rivers in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with a focus on sampling site was performed to examine the relationships between biotic measures used (H, C, E, and ASPT) and physical-chemical variables (BOD, DO, nitrate, total phosphate, temperature, turbidity, total solids, and pH) [42,43]. The PCA was carried out using the open source software (PAST program Version 3 b7).…”

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“…In this analysis, four variables were used: S, A, H' and J. Numerical abundance variables of Macroinvertebrates were log-transformed to diminish the influence of dominant and rare taxa (Suriano et al, 2013) and only taxa with an abundance greater than 2% were included in the analysis. The similarity percentage routine (SIMPER) was calculated to determine the specific importance of each taxon in each group (Clarke, 1993).…”