Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Ecological Indicators: Their Sensitivity to the Water Quality and Human Disturbances in a Tropical River

Abstract

Macroinvertebrate metrics are helpful tools for the assessment of water quality and overall aquatic ecosystem health. However, their degree of sensitivity and the most reliable metrics for the bioassessment program development are very poorly studied in Togo. This study aimed to test the sensitivity of metrics calculated at the family and genus levels. A total of 21 water quality parameters and macroinvertebrates' data were collected during three periods at 20 sampling sites within the Zio River. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), factor analysis (FA), and Spearman's correlation analysis were conducted on water quality parameters and macroinvertebrates' data. The results reveal that macroinvertebrate structure and composition were affected by water quality parameters related to human disturbances. In this study, three groups of macroinvertebrate communities were identified including sensitive taxa such as Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Odonata (EPTO) taxa; the resistant or resilient taxa such as Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Diptera, and Pulmonates (OHDP) taxa; and tolerant taxa such as Prosobranchia, Bivalvia, Lepidoptera, Heteroptera, and Coleoptera (PBLHC). All the 13 macroinvertebrate-based metrics were found to be sensitive in the detection of water quality and human disturbance gradients. However, metrics related to EPTO and the tolerance measure [multimetric index of the Zio River basin (MMIZB), Average Score per Taxon (ASPT), and Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP)] are the most robust in discrimination of pressure gradients. This study reveals that macroinvertebrates are sensitive and can be used for the bioassessment program development at the order, family, or genera taxonomic level.

Preliminary biological data of Sahel wetland ecosystems in Burkina Faso: Implications for ecological health assessment

“…This could be explained by the fact that impaired wetlands are prone to threats, emanating from anthropogenic activities. These results are similar to those of Kaboréet al ( 2016) and Tampo et al (2021) who show that changes in macroinvertebrates structure are often associated with sites riparian land use and water pollution. Promoting different approaches using benthic macroinvertebrates in bioassessment through multimetric and scoring systems could be extended to natural wetland, as far they include several water bodies types (e.g.…”

“…Promoting different approaches using benthic macroinvertebrates in bioassessment through multimetric and scoring systems could be extended to natural wetland, as far they include several water bodies types (e.g. rivers/streams and ponds), like others, the authors have proven its use for riverine ecosystems (Ofenböck et al, 2010;Tampo et al, 2020;Tampo et al, 2021;Kaboréet al, 2022). This can help to perform better assessment methods of wetland ecosystems including overall habitat condition and biota.…”

Bioindicators of water quality with different riparian cover in the Guapara micro watershed, Ecuador

“…In a study conducted by Murillo et al (2018), Tricladida and Diptera were not abundant orders either, presenting higher abundances in a stream of a conserved area for the order Diptera, and in a stream with agricultural cover for Tricladida. Finally, the order Odonata presented similar abundances between streams ~ 4 %, Tampo et al (2021) indicate that the tolerance of the order Odonata allows it to inhabit contaminated habitats. There were no significant statistical differences in the abundance of orders between streams (p > 0.05).…”

Structure of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Azagny Channel (Côte d’Ivoire)

“…They also have an important role in food webs and are a major food source for many species of freshwater fish [6]. They are influenced by habitat changes and are good indicators of environmental conditions [7,8].…”