Tuesday, June 5, 2007
419

Stream macroinvertebrate functional group bioassessment protocol for tropical streams of Costa Rica

Douglas A. Vonderhaar1, Casey M. Hanley1, Muhtadi M. Islam1, Josh M. Siefring1, Benjamin C. Beaman1, Mollie D. McIntosh2, M. Eric Benbow2, and Albert J. Burky1. (1) Biology, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-2320, (2) Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Management of stream systems and development of bioassessment standards are important for sustainable natural resources.  Macroinvertebrates and water quality data were collected in May 2005 and 2006 for a rapid bioassessment protocol for Costa Rican streams.  Six qualitative macroinvertebrate samples were taken using 30s dip net and scouring techniques from two flow habitats (i.e. riffles vs. pools/ banks) at three sites: a near headwaters reference site, a downstream site in Rio San Luis (Sites 1 and 2), and a downstream site impacted by a small community in Rio Guacimal (Site 3).  Downstream sites were assessed immediately above the confluence of Rio San Luis and Rio Guacimal.  Compared to Sites 1 and 2, the Rio Guacimal had the highest conductivity and turbidity in both 2005 and 2006.  There are similar patterns in functional feeding group (FFG) ratios for the riffle habitats between the years.  It is expected to remain similar depending on spate events.  Pool and bank habitats showed greater variation in FFG ratios between the years, and were expected to be more susceptible to spate events.  This could be attributed to the sample size, as macroinvertebrate counts from the slow-flow habitats were consistently lower than riffle habitats.

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