Monday, May 26, 2008 - 9:15 AM
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Assessing environmental integrity in neotropical lotic systems using epilithic diatoms, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages as biological indicators: A case study of the Itajaí Mirim river in southern Brazil

Antonio Carlos Beaumord1, Ana Luiza Burliga1, Ricardo Corbetta2, Carolina Sutil1, Rafael Scheffer1, Guilherme D. Rosini1, and Martin Homechin Jr.1. (1) Laboratório de Estudos de Impactos Ambientais, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, 88302-202, Brazil, (2) Laboratório de Ecologia de Comunidades Aquáticas, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, Itajaí, SC, 88302-202, Brazil

Bioassesment protocols which evaluate the environmental integrity of lotic systems are widely used. Originally designed for use in temperate regions, their use in Neotropical systems requires adjustment of protocols or the development of more suitable assessment methods. In the Itajaí Mirim River, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil, we aimed to define the most appropriate protocol for coastal rivers in Neotropical regions. Biological data from epilithic diatoms, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish assemblages, as well as water quality parameters were collected seasonally from May 2004 to May 2007. The six sampling sites included pristine, both moderate and relatively disturbed by agriculture and urbanized areas. An index using epilithic diatoms was tested using the occurrence and abundance of dominant species. Macroinvertebrates indices (BMWP’, FBI, and EPT) were analyzed and Neotropical families of Hemiptera, Naucoridae and Veelidae were added to the original protocols. We also investigated an index based on the abundance of a Characidae and a Loricaridae fish. Although results may be considered preliminary, patterns between biological data and environmental conditions were consistent. Further studies should be conducted in similar systems to verify the reliability of these indices yielding a broad application in Neotropical coastal rivers.


Web Page: Environmental Integrity, Coastal Rivers, Neotropical

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