Structural and functional characterization of macroinvertebrates in river flood plains of the pampas area

Abstract

In this study, the assemblage of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the riverine wetlands (RW) of four streams in the Pampean region of Buenos Aires with different activities in land use (intensive horticulture and extensive livestock) is characterized from a structural and functional point of view. Biotic and ecological indices and multivariate analyses were applied, and the assemblages of oligochaetes and chironomids were analyzed. The highest values of diversity and taxonomic richness of macroinvertebrates corresponded to the Chubichaminí RW (H ́= 1.9; S = 19.25). This RW showed slightly polluted waters, being acceptable in terms of water quality. The multivariate analysis ordered the sites of Del Gato and Carnaval RWs with the highest nutrient load associated with more tolerant taxa such as the dipterans Stratiomyidae, Ephydridae, nematodes, oligochaetes and Physidae gastropods. The greatest diversity and richness of oligochaetes were recorded in the Cajaravillas and Chubichaminí RW in the warm months being the differences mainly due to Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparède, 1862. The chironomid assemblage consisted of 24 taxa belonging to Chironominae, Orthocladiinae and Tanypodinae. The genus Chironomus Meigen was more abundant in Del Gato RW, corresponding mainly to C. calligraphus Goeldi, associated with environments with evident anthropic impact. The RWs studied showed different patterns in the proportion of functional feeding groups without a clear relation with land use. The indexes applied to the macroinvertebrate assemblage were effective in evaluating the ecological status of the analysed RWs.