Factors determining the structure and distribution of benthic invertebrate assemblages in a tropical basin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4013/4758Abstract
We used the das Velhas River basin in southeastern Brazil as a study unit to evaluate the role of various physical and chemical variables and the state of conservation in determining the structure and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. The habitats were characterized through the use of a rapid evaluation protocol, the examination of the granulometric composition of the sediments, and the precipitation in the sub-basins of the segments studied. The taxonomic structure was determined, Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indexes, taxonomic richness, % EPT and % Chironomidae for the benthic assemblages. The results corroborated the importance of habitats in spatial structuring, the importance of the hydrological regime in temporal structuring, and the state of conservation as the main structuring agents of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages.
Key words: biological metrics, bioindicators, protected areas, environmental impact.Downloads
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