Abstract

GALEANO-RENDON, Esnedy; MONSALVE-CORTES, Lina María  and  MANCERA-RODRIGUEZ, Néstor Javier. EVALUATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL QUALITY OF ANDEAN CREEKS IN THE MAGDALENA RIVER BASIN, COLOMBIA. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2017, vol.20, n.2, pp.413-424. ISSN 0123-4226.

The ecological quality of four Andean creeks tributaries of the Nare and Guatapé Rivers, Magdalena River Basin, Colombia was evaluated. Four field samplings were carried out between June 2011 and February 2012, at three sites for each creek, for a total of 12 sites evaluated. Macroinvertebrates samples were caught using the D-net method with mesh of 500µm and manual collection on substrates. The river habitat and riparian vegetation were evaluated through of the establishment of reference stations and the application of the River Habitat Index (IHF), the Riparian-Andean vegetation quality index (QBR-And) adapted for Andean rivers, the Biological Monitoring Working Party-Colombia index (BMWP / Col), and the ECOSTRIAND index (ECOlogical STatus RIver ANDean). Seven reference sites were established, which were characterized by riparian vegetation in both sides, without alterations or with a low degree of anthropic disturbance, presented high values of IHF, QBR-And, BMWP/Col, indicating good ecological quality for macroinvertebrates and fish assemblage's. Five sites were determined as altered with high anthropogenic disturbance, riparian vegetation reduced or absent in the two margins, predominance of pastures and agricultural activities, and low values in the afore mentioned indexes, which indicates less ecological quality.

Keywords : Aquatic macroinvertebrates; habitat characterization; reference conditions.

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