Multimetric index for assessing ecological condition of running waters in the upper reaches of the Piabanha-Paquequer-Preto Basin, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid multimetric index using benthic macrofauna as bioindicators of ecological conditions for the upper reaches of the Piabanha-Paquequer-Preto Basin located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 33698 macroinvertebrates were collected in 27 sites. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled using the multi-habitat method that consists in sampling 20 m² of substrate collected in approximate proportion to the representation of all major habitat types in the reach. A subsampling procedure was used. The main steps followed to develop and test the index were: exclusion of unsuitable metrics using box-whisker plots, considering the degree of overlapping among interquartile limits (1º-3º) and confirmed by Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05) using six reference rivers and six impaired rivers. From all the candidate potential metrics, 36 were considered suitable. After identifying redundant metrics, through Spearman correlation analysis, and considering practical application criteria, six core metrics were selected to compose the Piabanha-Paquequer-Preto Multimetric Index (PPPMI) using the continuous method: Family richness, Shannon-Wiener family diversity, EPT family richness, %Diptera, %MOLD (Mollusca + Diptera) and %Collectors. The sensitivity of the index was tested in 15 rivers using a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of the six environmental variables. The first axis of the PCA was highly correlated to the PPPMI scores (r = 0.703, p < 0.001). The PPPMI responded to a set of environmental variables associated to a gradient of human disturbance affecting the ecological condition of the waterbodies. This indicates that the PPPMI is an effective tool for biological monitoring and decision making in the hydrographic region of the Piabanha-Paquequer-Preto rivers

Structural Dynamics of Pristine Headwater Streams from Southern Brazilian Amazon

“…The use of multimetric approaches in Brazil to evaluate habitat integrity (e.g. Baptista et al ., , ; Couceiro et al ., ) is an important advance, considering the infant stage of aquatic biodiversity conservation at the national level. The National Water Resources Policy law is from 1997 (Federal Law 9.433/97 Brasil, ).…”

A predictive multimetric index based on macroinvetebrates for Atlantic Forest wadeable streams assessment

“…The richness metrics (richness and EPT richness) are considered useful due to their response to structural changes impaired gradients in macroinvertebrate assemblages (Suriano et al, 2013). The metrics that increase with impact (%MOLD, Chironomidae abundance) are associated organic pollution caused by untreated wastewater effluents in urban areas and to the increase of suspended organic particles in rural areas (Baptista et al 2011).…”

Development of a benthic multimetric index for the Serra da Bocaina bioregion in Southeast Brazil

“…Based on the procedures described in Klemm et al (2003), Baptista et al (2007) and Baptista et al (2011) we followed four steps to develop the Multimetric Index for Serra da Bocaina (MISB). First we tested if metrics defined in the SOMI (Family Richness, Ephemeroptera + Plecoptera + Trichoptera (EPT) Richness, % Coleoptera, % Diptera, BMWP-CETEC, % Shredders) could be used for SB region.…”

“…Recently, there is a great effort to develop and test bioassessment protocols in Brazil using benthic macroinvertebrates (CETESB 2002;Baptista et al, 2007;Mugnai et al, 2008;Buss and Borges, 2008;Moreno et al, 2009, Buss and Vitorino, 2010Baptista et al, 2011;Ferreira et al, 2011, Couceiro et al, 2012. In Rio de Janeiro State, one multimetric index (Serra dos Órgãos Multimetric Index -SOMI; Baptista et al, 2007) was developed to Serra do Mar area.…”