河口盐沼植物对大型底栖动物群落的影响

通过对长江口崇明东滩盐沼海三棱燕草带大型底栖无脊椎动物进行取样调查,研究了不同盐沼底栖动物群落结构及其多样性特征,分析了盐沼植物群落特征与底栖动物群落的关系。研究发现。（1）沿着河口盐沼海拔梯度,从低位盐沼到高位盐沼,底栖动物群落结构及多样性具有明显的梯度变化;（2）盐沼植被与底栖动物群落有密切的关系,尤其是植株高度,地下部分生物量与底栖动物密度,Shannon-Weiner多样性指数,物种丰度的相关性最显著。（3）盐沼植被影响底栖动物群落,是由于植物的地下部分和地下部分结构导致盐沼生境结构复杂,增加了沉积物表层环境的结构异质性,使生境多样化,给底栖动物提供大量生活空间,（4）不同盐沼带海三陵蔗草群落的差异,提供了盐沼表层地貌的变化,这种变化及植物结构的复杂化,在这一些动物提供拓殖地的同时,也为底栖动物躲避捕食者提供了避护所;（5）盐沼植被可以改变口潮滩生境中的沉积环境,并通过消浪、缓流及调节有机质的输入动态和沉积作用而影响底栖动物群落的组成和结构。     

优势种去除对崇明东滩盐沼湿地生态系统的影响

盐沼生态系统环境梯度明显,物种组成较简单,是研究生物多样性与生态系统功能关系的理想对象。本研究以崇明东滩盐沼湿地为研究区域,研究优势种去除对植物群落结构以及底栖动物群落的影响。结果表明:(1)去除处理仅对植物群落分株密度有极显著效应(P0.01)。去除组和对照组物种组成差异随时间增加而减小,处理效应逐渐减弱。(2)去除组底栖动物密度均低于对照组,但差异不显著。(3)盐沼植物群落特征与底栖动物群落有密切关系,植物密度、冠层高度与底栖动物密度相关性极显著。去除优势种后,植物群落分株密度升高,群落内剩余物种占比有所上升,次优势种对群落的补偿效应具有较大贡献;而底栖动物群落密度下降,其生物量和多样性指数的变化趋势与密度并不一致。上述结果表明生物多样性变化影响了盐沼湿地生态系统植物群落和底栖动物群落结构,进而可能影响物质循环和能量流动过程。     

上海城区河道底栖动物群落特征与沉积物重金属潜在生态风险

2007年10月—2008年10月对上海市城区4条河道(午潮港、横港、朝阳河、曹杨环浜)底栖动物群落进行了逐月采样调查,共获得底栖动物20种,其中,软体动物门14种,环节动物门3种。分析表明:4条河道底栖动物多样性指数均较低,Shannon指数最高达0.602,均为重污染河道。大型底栖动物多样性指数客观地反映了河道的水体环境质量状况;软体动物体内重金属Pb、As和Zn残留分别超出国家标准1.15、0.32和0.23倍;沉积物中Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn含量均超出国家标准,软体动物体内和沉积物中重金属含量没有相关性;单金属潜在生态风险系数(Eri)显示,沉积物中6种重金属的潜在生态风险顺序为CdPbCuAsZnCr,Cd污染为强生态危害;多金属潜在生态风险指数(RI)显示,4条河道沉积物重金属污染为中等。     

不同红树植物群落中大型底栖动物群落的比较

2005—2006年对广东湛江红树林国家级自然保护区湿地三种红树植物群落(白骨壤 桐化树群落、桐花树群落、木榄 桐花树群落)的大型底栖动物群落特征进行了分析研究。白骨壤 桐化树群落大型底栖动物群落的物种数、栖息密度、生物量、丰富度指数和多样性指数均最高,优势度指数居中,均匀度指数略低于桐花树群落;桐花树群落大型底栖动物物种数急剧减少,尤其是底内型、底上附着型和穴居型种类减少明显,生物量和栖息密度下降到最低,由于个体数种间分配较为均匀而导致优势度指数下降而均匀度指数增高,虽丰富度指数略低于白骨壤 桐化树群落,但多样性指数接近于白骨壤 桐化群落;木榄 桐花树群落,大型底栖动物群落的物种数,尤其是穴居型和底内型种数继续减少,但生物量和栖息密度有所上升,个体数种间分配不均匀而使优势度指数增高而均匀度下降,加上丰富度指数最低,故多样性指数最小。白骨壤 桐化树群落优势种的生活型是底内型和穴居型;桐花树和木榄 桐花树群落优势种的生活型均是穴居型。三种红树植物群落中的大型底栖动物群落的GS/GSB分别为0.48、0.63、0.80。相同红树植物群落大型底栖动物群落结构都较为相似,木榄 桐花树群落的相似性最高,而不同红树植物群落大型底栖动物群落特征的差异明显,反映了不同红树群落对底栖动物群落作用的差别,同时也展示了各种大型底栖动物对不同红树群落生境的适应情况。     

广西北海西村港互花米草对红树林湿地大型底栖动物群落的影响

为了解互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵红树林的生态影响, 作者对位于北海市西村港的红树林湿地以及周边互花米草盐沼的大型底栖动物群落多样性和群落结构进行了研究。2012年10月至2013年9月连续4次取样, 按照取样时间研究大型底栖动物的种类、物种组成、生物量和生物多样性等群落特征的差异, 探讨互花米草入侵红树林湿地对大型底栖动物的影响。本研究共采集底栖动物16种, 隶属于5门7纲15科, 其中互花米草群落10种, 红树林湿地12种。研究发现互花米草入侵后中国绿螂(Glauconome chinensis)个体数量剧增, 导致不同采样时间互花米草盐沼的大型底栖动物生物量均显著高于红树林湿地; 除个别月份外, 红树林湿地大型底栖动物的Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均显著高于互花米草群落。基于生境-采样时间的双因素方差分析结果表明, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson指数在两种生境间差异显著; 两种生境的Margalef丰富度和Pielou均匀度指数在不同采样时间差异显著; 大型底栖动物生物量和物种数量在两种生境间和不同采样时间差异均显著。基于多元回归分析的研究结果表明, 互花米草密度是影响大型底栖动物生物量的关键因子, 而互花米草株高可以解释物种个体数量、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson指数在两种生境的变化。对不同采样时间大型底栖动物群落结构的非度量多维度(non-metric multidimensional scaling, NMDS)分析结果表明, 红树林与互花米草群落的大型底栖动物群落相似性很低。总而言之, 在西村港地区, 互花米草入侵虽然增加了大型底栖动物的生物量, 但由于优势物种的凸显, 显著降低了大型底栖动物群落的多样性, 且种类组成与群落结构与红树林群落相比已有差异。由此可见, 互花米草入侵红树林对当地的大型底栖动物群落多样性造成影响。     

杭州西溪湿地大型底栖动物群落特征及与环境因子的关系

为揭示现阶段西溪湿地大型底栖动物群落现状及其对湿地生态保护工程的响应,于2009年8月至2010年5月对西溪湿地在3个不同时期建设的区域(Ⅰ区、Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区)中的大型底栖动物进行季度调查.共记录大型底栖动物3门8纲15科45种.霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)、多毛管水蚓(Aulodrilus pluriseta)和梨形环棱螺(Bellamya purificata)是现阶段西溪湿地大型底栖动物的优势种.最早建设的Ⅰ区的环节动物密度在各季节均低于建设较晚的Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区,而软体动物的密度和生物量的变化趋势则相反;Ⅰ区大型底栖动物的总密度虽然与Ⅱ区和Ⅲ区没有明显差异,但总生物量、物种数、Margalef物种丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均显著上升.上述结果表明,西溪湿地生态保护工程早期建设区域的底栖动物多样性趋于增加,水生生态系统环境质量得以改善.ANOSIM分析显示,西溪湿地不同区域或季节间大型底栖动物群落结构均存在显著差异,且这些差异的主要贡献物种为多毛管水蚓(Aulodrilus pluriseta)和梨形环棱螺(Bellamya purificata),表明这两个优势物种对西溪湿地底栖环境变化反应敏感,可作为湿地环境评价的指示物种.BIO-ENV分析表明,水温是影响春季和夏季大型底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子,水深是影响秋季和冬季大型底栖动物群落的主要因子,同时底泥总磷含量对解释大型底栖动物生物量和群落结构具有一定作用.     

雅鲁藏布江流域底栖动物多样性及生态评价

雅鲁藏布江起源于喜马拉雅山,是世界上海拔最高的河流之一,是流经我国西藏境内重要的国际河流,其河流生态系统具有特殊地貌及生态条件。研究该流域底栖动物多样性分布特征及其影响因子,是科学评价该区域河流生态系统健康状况,实现资源可持续开发利用的基础。2009年10月—2010年6月期间,以底栖动物作为指示物种,对雅江流域干支流及堰塞湖的14个采样断面进行河流生态评价。采用Alpha及Beta生物多样性指数分别指示局部采样河段及全区域的底栖动物多样性。对采样断面底栖动物组成分析发现:14个采样断面共采集到底栖动物110种,隶属57科102属。雅江干流底栖动物种类数最高为29,平均为19。支流年楚河种类数为17。支流拉萨河,尼洋河,帕龙藏布的最高种类数分别为25,33,36;平均种类数分别为21,21,22,生物多样性普遍高于干流。整个流域中底栖动物平均种类数相差不大,但种类组成和密度相差较大。调查区域的Beta多样性指数β高于低海拔地区的相似的山区河流,说明雅江流域内底栖动物群落差异性高于正常海拔地区。对14个采样断面的物种组成进行除趋势对应分析表明:影响雅江流域底栖动物多样性的主要因素为河型,河床阻力结构,堤岸结构,水流流速。保持稳定的阶梯-深潭结构和自然堤岸结构,以及适宜的流速有利于保护雅江河流生态。     

不同生态恢复阶段无瓣海桑人工林湿地中大型底栖动物群落的演替

对广东省珠海市淇澳岛红树林自然保护区恢复背景相同的6个月林龄、3a林龄、6a林龄无瓣海桑人工林和光滩湿地中的大型底栖动物群落进行了比较研究。结果显示:处于不同生态恢复阶段的无瓣海桑人工林林地中大型底栖动物优势种(Y>0.02)存在差异;相似性分析检验(One-Way ANOSIM)表明4种生境间大型底栖动物群落结构差异显著。等级聚类和非参数多变量标序也显示4种生境间的大型底栖动物群落结构差异显著。相似性百分比分析(SIMPER)显示,各生境动物群落主要特征及群落间的差异主要是受各生境大型底栖动物优势种所决定。研究结果还表明:光滩、6个月林龄、3a林龄无瓣海桑人工林湿地中大型底栖动物群落的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Margalef丰富度指数呈上升趋势,这说明无瓣海桑种植的前3a,随着植被的迅速恢复,大型底栖动物多样性增加明显。BIOENV分析结果表明:3a林龄之前的无瓣海桑人工林湿地中,大型底栖动物物种多样性主要受植被特征的影响,快速恢复的植被提供了荫蔽,既减轻了高温和水分蒸发对大型底栖动物的胁迫,又给动物提供了一个躲藏和逃避敌害的场所。而相对于植被的快速恢复,无瓣海桑人工林林地土壤理化性质的改变要缓慢和滞后得多。但随着恢复时间的延长,6a林龄无瓣海桑人工林湿地中的大型底栖动物群落的上述3个物种多样性指数反而明显下降。这是由于6a林龄无瓣海桑人工林林地土壤已具有红树林酸性硫酸盐土的基本特征,林地土壤理化性质的显著变化影响了大型底栖动物群落,还可能与无瓣海桑提供了和乡土红树植物不同营养水平(如C/N比)和单宁含量的"凋零物"食物源有关,具体机制还需进一步研究。     

渭河丰、枯水期底栖动物群落特征及综合健康评价

以渭河为研究范例,分别于丰水期(2011年10月)和枯水期(2012年4月)对渭河全流域范围内45个样点的底栖动物群落进行跟踪调查,并在此基础上应用丰、枯水期底栖动物生物完整性评价指数(B-IBI)对渭河流域水生态系统进行综合健康评价。结果表明,渭河流域底栖动物群落结构具有明显的空间异质性,枯水期底栖动物群落结构单一,物种数量、生物量和香农多样性明显少于丰水期,但单位密度差异不显著。综合健康评价结果表明,渭河上游、洛河中上游地区的健康状况较好,而渭河中下游、泾河全流域及洛河下游地区的健康状况较差。相关分析显示,渭河全流域范围内丰水期和枯水期底栖动物群落的B-IBI得分呈现明显的正相关性,表明在不同水文过程时期,渭河全流域大尺度范围内底栖动物群落的生物完整性特征较为一致。在河流丰、枯水期,底栖动物群落结构的变化趋势并对比分析了渭河流域不同区域水生态系统健康水平差异的原因。     

不同红树植物群落中大型底栖动物群落的比较

2005—2006年对广东湛江红树林国家级自然保护区湿地三种红树植物群落（白骨壤+桐化树群落、桐花树群落、木榄+桐花树群落）的大型底栖动物群落特征进行了分析研究。白骨壤+桐化树群落大型底栖动物群落的物种数、栖息密度、生物量、丰富度指数和多样性指数均最高，优势度指数居中，均匀度指数略低于桐花树群落；桐花树群落大型底栖动物物种数急剧减少，尤其是底内型、底上附着型和穴居型种类减少明显，生物量和栖息密度下降到最低，由于个体数种间分配较为均匀而导致优势度指数下降而均匀度指数增高，虽丰富度指数略低于白骨壤+桐化树群落，但多样性指数接近于白骨壤+桐化群落；木榄+桐花树群落，大型底栖动物群落的物种数，尤其是穴居型和底内型种数继续减少，但生物量和栖息密度有所上升，个体数种间分配不均匀而使优势度指数增高而均匀度下降，加上丰富度指数最低，故多样性指数最小。白骨壤+桐化树群落优势种的生活是底内型和穴居型；桐花树和木榄+桐花树群落优势种的生活型均是穴居型。三种红树植物群落中的大型底栖动物群落的GS/GSB分别为0.48、0.63、0.80。相同红树植物群落大型底栖动物群落结构都较为相似，木榄+桐花树群落的相似性最高，而不同红树植物群落大型底栖动物群落特征的差异明显，反映了不同红树群落对底栖动物群落作用的差别，同时也展示了各种大型底栖动物对不同红树群落生境的适应情况。     

Least-desired index for assessing the effectiveness of grass riparian filter strips in improving water quality in an agricultural region

Unprotected streams within the agricultural Midwest region of the United States are subject to sedimentation, nutrification, and agricultural chemicals. Grass riparian filter strips (GRFSs) have been implemented as a best management practice to minimize sedimentation and associated materials that are harmful to aquatic ecosystems; however, few studies have examined the benthic community response to GRFS installation. This study introduces a least-desired index (LDI) multimetric approach of evaluating benthic communities in response to GRFS installation. LDI was determined in a reciprocal fashion to that of a benthic macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity (B-IBI). When reference conditions are not available for the use of B-IBI, anti-reference sites, representing least-desired conditions, can be used in constructing an LDI. A B-IBI and LDI were constructed in the Claypan Till Plains Subsection of Missouri and comparatively used to evaluate two test sites where tall fescue GRFS were installed. Five metrics were used to develop the B-IBI and six for the LDI. The LDI tended to be more conservative at evaluation in comparison to the B-IBI. Paired t-tests showed that LDI and B-IBI were significantly different at scoring test sites. The LDI assessed both test sites as showing no response to GRFS installation, whereas the B-IBI suggested moderate improvement. The LDI was considered to be a better index for evaluation because the streams used to develop the B-IBI were not suitable reference sites. An argument for the use of chironomid based metrics in low gradient agricultural streams is presented.     

Relationship between Riparian Vegetation and Stream Benthic Communities at Three Spatial Scales

We examined the influence of riparian vegetation on macroinvertebrate community structure in streams of the Upper Thames River watershed in southwestern Ontario. Thirty-three μ-basins (129–1458 ha) were used to identify land cover variables that influenced stream macroinvertebrates. Micro-basins represented the entire drainage area of study streams and were similar in stream order (first, second) and land cover (agricultural or forest; no urban). We described the structure and composition of riparian vegetation and benthic macroinvertebrate communities at the outflow reach. The nature of the land cover was quantified for the stream network buffer (30 m) and the whole μ-basin. The objective of this study was to measure the magnitude and nature of the relationship between the riparian vegetation and benthic macroinvertebrate community at the outflow reach, stream network buffer, and whole μ-basin scales. Taxon richness (including total number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa) and Simpson’s diversity of the macroinvertebrate community all increased with increased tree cover in the riparian zone at the outflow reach scale. Simpson’s equitability was lower with greater agricultural land cover in the stream network buffer. No relationship between the macroinvertebrate community and land cover was found at the whole μ-basin scale. Analysis of the influence of land cover on stream communities within a spatial hierarchy is important for understanding the interactions of stream ecosystems with their adjacent landscapes.     

Analysis of environmental factors in sediment based on benthic macroinvertebrates in streams,Korea

This research summarizes the data on benthic macroinvertebrates collected in the 15 streams during spring (June) and fall (September–October) of 2022. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the quality of surface waters, sediments, and benthic macroinvertebrates ; and (ii) to compare the relationship with the environmental variables in water, sediments and benthic macroinvertebrates that inhabit 15 streams. A total of 114 taxa were collected. The assemblages from the 15 sites were dominated by Chironomidae and Tubificidae, especially Chironomidae constituted 45.0% density occurrence. The low grades of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index (BMI) were calculated in 10 sites with disturbed (“poor” or “very poor”). Low BMI sites mostly showed Tubificidae or Chironomidae dominant characteristics. The biological indices, BMI, % Tubificidae, and % Chironomidae, were significantly correlated with DO and conductivity. DO was also significantly correlated with all the benthic macroinvertebrate factors and diversity except percent Tubificidae. The heavy metal parameters were correlated mostly with species number, BMI, and diversity index. The objectives of this study examine the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate in the 15 streams and investigate the relative importance of environmental quality for benthic macroinvertebrate distribution.     

Recovery of benthic macroinvertebrate and adult dragonfly assemblages in response to large scale removal of riparian invasive alien trees

Invasive alien organisms can impact adversely on indigenous biodiversity, while riparian invasive alien trees (IATs), through shading of the habitat, can be a key threat to stream invertebrates. We ask here whether stream fauna can recover when the key threat of riparian IATs is removed. Specifically, we address whether IAT invasion, and subsequent IAT removal, changes benthic macroinvertebrate and adult dragonfly assemblages, for the worse or for the better respectively. Natural riparian zones were controls. There were statistically significant differences between stream reaches with natural, IAT-infested and IAT-cleared riparian vegetation types, based on several metrics: immature macroinvertebrate taxon richness, average score per macroinvertebrate taxon (ASPT), a macroinvertebrate subset (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Odonata larvae; EPTO), and adult dragonfly species richness. Reaches with natural vegetation, or cleared of IATs, supported greater relative diversity of macroinvertebrates than reaches shaded by dense IATs. Greatest macroinvertebrate ASPT and EPTO were in reaches bordered by natural vegetation and those bordered by vegetation cleared of IATs, and the lowest where the riparian corridor was IATs. Highest number of adult dragonflies species was along streams cleared of dense IATs. Overall, results showed that removal of a highly invasive, dense canopy of alien trees enables recovery of aquatic biodiversity. As benthic macroinvertebrate scores and adult dragonfly species richness are correlated and additive, their combined use is recommended for river condition assessments.     

塔里木河中下游湿地及周边植物群落与环境因子的关系初探

选取塔里木河中下游湿地及周边16个典型植物群落样地调查和环境因子数据,采用主分量分析(PCA)排序技术和回归分析,定量分析湿地及周边植物群落在空间上的分布格局,以及群落结构特征和环境梯度之间的关系.结果表明,影响塔里木河中下游湿地及周边植物群落分布的第1主分量中,土壤水分和盐分影响最大,贡献率为35.70％;在第2主分量中,土壤养分的影响最大,贡献率为25.97％.植物群落分布的生境可分为沼生轻盐中营养生境、湿生中盐中营养生境、中生中盐低营养生境和中旱生重盐低营养生境4种类型.沿不同生境依次分布着沼泽植被、草甸植被、河岸疏林和盐生荒漠 盐化灌丛植被.塔里木河中下游湿地及周边植物群落的生态优势度与土壤水分和盐分复合梯度呈显著的一元线性相关.二元回归分析结果显示,塔里木河中下游湿地及周边土壤水分和盐分复合梯度与多样性指数和生态优势度二元指标呈极显著相关.     

Land-use effects on structural and functional composition of benthic and leaf-associated macroinvertebrates in four Andean streams

The replacement of native forests by pastures takes place widely in the Andes. The effects of such land-use change on aquatic assemblages are poorly understood. We conducted a comparative analysis of the effects of forest conversion to pastures on the taxonomic, structural, and functional composition of macroinvertebrates (benthic and leaf-associated) in montane and upper montane streams (ecosystem type) of the south Ecuadorian Andes. Taxonomic composition of benthic and leaf-associated macroinvertebrates was different between ecosystem type and land use. Also, major differences in the structural and functional composition of benthic and leaf-associated macroinvertebrates were mainly promoted by land use in both ecosystem types. Forested streams showed higher diversity than pasture streams, sustaining more shredder, scraper, and predatory invertebrates. We also observed differences in the macroinvertebrate communities between benthic and leaf-bag samples. Leaf bags had lower diversity and more collector invertebrates than benthic samples. This study highlights the large effect of riparian forest conversion to pasture land on macroinvertebrate communities, and the importance of using appropriate sampling techniques to characterize aquatic assemblages. We also recommend the maintenance and restoration of riparian vegetation to mitigate the effects of deforestation on stream communities and ecosystem processes.     

Tracking environmental stress gradients using three biotic integrity indices: Advantages of a locally-developed traits-based approach

Estuarine and coastal ecosystems are productive and functionally diverse areas that provide a wide range of societal benefits. Along with human exploitative uses comes an array of anthropogenic disturbances that can affect ecological integrity, including changes to the composition and resilience of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. To understand the responses of ecological communities to anthropogenic disturbance and to manage and mitigate effects, indices for assessing the ecological integrity of estuarine and coastal waters have proliferated worldwide. Using data from 84 intertidal sites in Auckland, New Zealand, we evaluated the suitability of two widely used measures of ecological integrity that were developed in USA and Europe, respectively: the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) and the AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI). We then developed a local index based on macrofaunal traits and verified its utility using independent data from >100 additional sites. The local traits based index (TBI), constructed from the richness of macrofaunal taxa in seven functional groups, responded to changes in sediment mud percentage and heavy metal contaminant concentration gradients below international guidelines. The TBI performed better than the indices developed overseas, probably because they were designed to track organic enrichment and hypoxia, which are not the predominant stressors in New Zealand at present. The TBI successfully tracked the stressors that were the most relevant locally and indicated the relative levels of within-group taxonomic richness at various sites. As within-group richness is a component of functional redundancy and ecological resilience, the TBI offers a trifecta of simplicity, robustness and meaningfulness that will facilitate management.     

Influence of riparian condition on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in an agricultural catchment in south-eastern Australia

Riparian vegetation is known to affect aquatic macroinvertebrate communities through contributions of organic matter and shading. Despite the widespread degradation of riparian vegetation in Australia, there are relatively few studies examining the effect of changes in riparian vegetation on in-stream macroinvertebrate assemblages on individual catchments. In particular, information is lacking on the responses of macroinvertebrate communities in catchments dominated by agriculture, where farms that are managed at the paddock scale result in riparian vegetation condition varying over relatively short distances. In this study, macroinvertebrate assemblages were assessed from 12 reaches along a 25-km section of a small agricultural stream in south-eastern Australia. Riparian condition was assessed using in-stream coarse woody debris (CWD) levels and the rapid appraisal of riparian condition (RARC) index, a numerical system for categorising the health of riparian areas that incorporates sub-indices reflecting habitat continuity, vegetation cover, plant debris levels, native vegetation dominance, and other indicative features. There was a significant positive correlation between RARC scores and macroinvertebrate taxon richness (p < 0.01), and also between CWD scores and macroinvertebrate taxon richness (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant correlation observed between riparian condition and the other macroinvertebrate indices (abundance, Shannon diversity, SIGNAL and SIGNAL2). Macroinvertebrate communities were significantly different in stream reaches from different riparian condition categories (ANOSIM; p < 0.05). Our results indicate that efforts to rehabilitate riparian vegetation may have a positive effect on in-stream biota even when implemented at a relatively small scale by individual landholders.     

Deforestation and Benthic Indicators: How Much Vegetation Cover Is Needed to Sustain Healthy Andean Streams?

Deforestation in the tropical Andes is affecting ecological conditions of streams, and determination of how much forest should be retained is a pressing task for conservation, restoration and management strategies. We calculated and analyzed eight benthic metrics (structural, compositional and water quality indices) and a physical-chemical composite index with gradients of vegetation cover to assess the effects of deforestation on macroinvertebrate communities and water quality of 23 streams in southern Ecuadorian Andes. Using a geographical information system (GIS), we quantified vegetation cover at three spatial scales: the entire catchment, the riparian buffer of 30 m width extending the entire stream length, and the local scale defined for a stream reach of 100 m in length and similar buffer width. Macroinvertebrate and water quality metrics had the strongest relationships with vegetation cover at catchment and riparian scales, while vegetation cover did not show any association with the macroinvertebrate metrics at local scale. At catchment scale, the water quality metrics indicate that ecological condition of Andean streams is good when vegetation cover is over 70%. Further, macroinvertebrate community assemblages were more diverse and related in catchments largely covered by native vegetation (>70%). Our results suggest that retaining an important quantity of native vegetation cover within the catchments and a linkage between headwater and riparian forests help to maintain and improve stream biodiversity and water quality in Andean streams affected by deforestation. This research proposes that a strong regulation focused to the management of riparian buffers can be successful when decision making is addressed to conservation/restoration of Andean catchments.