Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://www.actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X3821
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Do wider riparian zones alter benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages’ diversity and taxonomic composition in neotropical headwater streams?

Zonas ripárias mais largas alteram a diversidade e composição taxonômica de assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em riachos de cabeceira neotropicais?

Marden S. Linares; Livia B. dos Santos; Marcos Callisto; Jean C. Santos

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Abstract

Abstract:: Aim: The maintenance and condition of riparian vegetation are important factors for conserving headwater streams and their species diversity. Thus, variations in the width of a riparian zone can have dramatic effects in the structure and functioning of the adjacent freshwater ecosystem. In this study, we aimed to determine if increased riparian zone width changed the benthic assemblages’ structure (diversity, taxonomic and functional composition) in headwater streams.

Methods: We tested two predictions: (1) increased riparian zone width will change the diversity and taxonomic composition of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages because narrow riparian zones do not buffer the anthropogenic impacts from the surrounding landscape; (2) wider riparian zones will change benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages’ functional structure, due to changes to energetic input and quality. To test the first prediction, we assessed the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages’ taxonomic composition, richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. To test the second prediction, we assessed functional feeding groups (FFG) and metrics based on their proportion.

Results: Our results showed that our first prediction was not corroborated, because taxonomic structure and diversity did not show significant variation with increased riparian zone width. Our second prediction was partially corroborated, because there were significant alterations in the functional structure of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages between the narrowest riparian zone width (30 m) and the others two (50 and 100 m).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that, contrary to the Brazilian Federal Law 12651/2012, 30-m wide riparian zones are insufficient to protect headwater stream ecosystem functioning.

Keywords

benthic macroinvertebrates, functional feeding groups, functional metrics, bioindicators, ecological processes

Resumo

Resumo:: Objetivo: A conservação da vegetação ripária é um fator importante para a conservação de riachos de cabeceira e sua biodiversidade. Assim, variações na largura da zona ripária podem ter efeitos dramáticos na estrutura e funcionamento de ecossistemas lóticos adjacentes. Nesse estudo objetivamos determinar se o aumento da largura da zona ripária altera a estrutura de assembleias bentônicas (diversidade taxonômica e funcional e composição taxonômica) em riachos de cabeceira.

Métodos: Testamos duas predições: (1) o aumento da largura da zona ripária altera a diversidade e a composição taxonômica de assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos, porque as zonas ripárias mais estreitas não protegem as pressões antrópicas da paisagem circundante; (2) zonas ripárias mais largas alteram a estrutura funcional de assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos, devido a mudanças na entrada de energia nos sistemas. Para testar a primeira predição, avaliamos a composição taxonômica de assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos, a riqueza taxonômica e o índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener. Para testar a segunda predição, avaliamos grupos funcionais de alimentação e métricas baseadas em sua proporção.

Resultados: Nossos resultados revelaram que a primeira predição não foi corroborada, pois a estrutura taxonômica e a diversidade não apresentaram variação significativa com o aumento da largura de zona ripária. Nossa segunda predição foi parcialmente corroborada, pois houve alterações significativas na estrutura funcional de assembleias de macroinvertebrados bentônicos entre a largura da zona ribeirinha mais estreita (30 m) e as duas outras (50 e 100 m).

Conclusões: Nossos resultados sugerem que, ao contrário da Lei Federal 12651/2012, as zonas ribeirinhas de 30 m de largura são insuficientes para proteger o funcionamento de ecossistemas de córregos de cabeceira.
 

Palavras-chave

macroinvertebrados bentônicos, grupos funcionais de alimentação, métricas funcionais, bioindicadores, processos ecológicos

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Submitted date:
05/26/2021

Accepted date:
09/01/2021

Publication date:
10/15/2021

6169c4c9a953955057443b35 alb Articles
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