Links Between Anthropogenic Perturbations and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Afromontane Forest Streams in Uganda |
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Authors: | Aventino Kasangaki Dennis Babaasa Jackson Efitre Alastair McNeilage Robert Bitariho |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, PO Box 44, Kabale, Uganda;(2) Department of Zoology, University of Florida, 223 Bartram Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA |
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Abstract: | Relationships between environmental variables and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were investigated among several sites
that varied in disturbance history in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an Afromontane site in East Africa. Environmental
variables were correlated with the level of past catchment disturbance – logging, agricultural encroachment, and present tourism
activity. For example, sites in medium and high disturbance categories had higher values of specific conductance and lower
water transparency than low disturbance category sites, these environmental variables may therefore act indicators of ecological
quality of rivers. Environmental variables such as conductivity and water transparency were found to be good predictors of
benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, with anthropogenically stressed sites having lower diversity than the reference sites.
Impacted sites were dominated by tolerant taxa such as chironomid and leeches, while ‘clean water’ taxa such as Ephemeroptera,
Plecoptera and Trichoptera dominated at minimally impacted sites. Comparison of sites with different disturbance histories
provided evidence for differences in benthic macroinvertebrate communities that reflect the state of forest restoration and
recovery. We recommend quarterly monitoring of water quality to act as an early warning system of deterioration and tracking
ecological recovery of previously impacted sites. |
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Keywords: | East Africa disturbance macroinvertebrates water quality lotic systems |
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