Urbanization effects on the composition and structure of macrophytes communities in a lotic ecosystem of Pernambuco State, Brazil

Abstract

Population growth in urban areas changes freshwater ecosystems, and this can have consequences for macrophyte communities as can be seen in the municipalities that border the Capibaribe River, Pernambuco, Brazil. This study reports the effects of urbanization on the composition and structure of macrophyte communities in areas along that river. The following urbanized and non-urbanized sampling sites were chosen: Sites 1 and 2 (municipality of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe), Sites 3 and 4 (municipality of Toritama), and Sites 5 and 6 (metropolitan region of Recife). These sites were visited every two months from January to July 2013 to observe seasonal variation (wet and dry seasons). Thirty-one species were identified. Generally, the non-urbanized sites had a higher number of species. Multivariate analyses indicated significant overall differences between urbanized and non-urbanized areas (R = 0.044; p < 0.001) and between seasons (R = 0.018; p < 0.019). Owing to the large variation in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics between urbanized and non-urbanized areas, we found that urbanization significantly influenced the floristic composition and structure of macrophyte communities. (janeiro -julho/2013), para a observação da variação sazonal (estações seca e chuvosa). Foram identificadas 31 espécies. Geralmente, os pontos das áreas não urbanizadas apresentaram um número maior de espécies. As análises multivariadas indicaram diferenças globais significativas entre áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas (R = 0,044, p < 0,001) e também entre as estações (R = 0,018; p < 0,019). Devido à grande variação física, química e biológica entre as áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas, observou-se que o fator urbanização influenciou significativamente na composição florística e na estrutura das comunidades de macrófitas. KeywordsPalavras-chave: plantas aquáticas, biomassa, poluição.

Structure and floristics of the plant community in Lagoa do São Bento, Maricá, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

“…3) have significantly colonized the lagoon's surroundings. The presence of these species in flooded environments has also been verified in other studies (Barros 2009;Xavier et al 2016;Rodrigues et al 2017). They are related to the anthropic disturbance that has been occurring in the flooded areas over the years and to characteristics such as propagule pressure, strong adaptation to low water depth, large seed production and resistance to environmental adversities (Havel et al 2015).…”

“…The study carried out in the municipalities of Recife, Santa Cruz do Capibaribe and Toritama, in the state of Pernambuco, which border the Rio Capibaribe, showed a result similar to that presented in this study. The authors compared different points on the riverbank and concluded that urbanization significantly influenced the floristic composition and structure of macrophyte communities (Xavier et al 2016).…”

Response of aquatic macrophyte biomass to limnological changes under water level fluctuation in tropical reservoirs

“…The inverse relation of Tem, NO 3 and/or PO 4 with O. cubense, L. helminthorrhiza or P. ferrugineum in the CCA called our attention, once these species are adjusted to waters rich in nitrogenate and phosphate nutrients (Mormul et al, 2010;Meyer and Franceschinelli, 2011;Moura Júnior et al, 2011;Tsheboeng et al, 2014;Xavier et al, 2016). It is possible that the limnological variables indicated by the forward selection have indirect relation with the species biomass in Post-WLF.…”

Urbanization impacts water quality and the use of microhabitats by fish in subtropical agricultural streams

“…Urbanization promotes permanent changes in watersheds and stream channels (Paul & Meyer 2001); for example, stream channelization and soil impermeability lead to increases in substrate siltation and the homogenization of substrate sizes through an increase of sediments (Dala-Corte et al 2016, Montag et al 2019, promoting changes in channel depth, water velocity and the frequency and magnitude of floods. Together with nutrient enrichment, other contaminants and turbidity, these changes contribute to reducing macrophyte diversity (Paul & Meyer 2001, Xavier et al 2016. In agricultural streams, the impacts are related to water abstraction for crop irrigation, which reduces stream discharge and accelerates sedimentation rates (Sueyoshi et al 2016).…”