Abstract

MEZA-S, ANA MARÍA; RUBIO-M, JULIANA; G-DIAS, LUCIMAR  and  M-WALTEROS, JEYMMY. Water quality and composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the subwatershed of river Chinchiná. Caldasia [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.2, pp.443-456. ISSN 0366-5232.

With the goal of evaluate the composition of macroinvertebrates and water quality in streams with and without riparian vegetation, the following streams were sampled: El Diamante, La Oliva and Río Chinchiná, all located in the upper basin of Chinchiná river. The first station, El Diamante, has a forest with native riparian vegetation, the second, La Olivia, is influenced by Eucalyptus sp. plantations and the third, Río Chinchiná, lack riparian vegetation. Between February and May of 2010, three samples of macroinvertebrates were evaluated during the dry, intermediate and rainy seasons. For the collection of macroinvertebrates, the Surber Net was used and 3 substrate replicates (leaf litter, rock and fine sediment) were done. Physical and chemical variables were recorded for each station. A total of 7486 macroinvertebrates belonging to 13 orders, 37 families and 74 genera were collected. The results indicate significant differences in macroinvertebrate richness between stations with and without riparian vegetation. Regarding the composition, 26 genera of macroinvertebrates are shared by the three stations, 18 genera are unique for station 1, 8 genera are exclusive for the second and 4 genera for the third. Physicochemical variables and BMWP and EPT results indicate there are differences between the water quality in stations 1 and 2 in comparison to station 3. The results of this study indicate that the riparian vegetation is a factor that determine the establishment of the macroinvertebrate community.

Keywords : Bioindicators; water quality; composition; aquatic macroinvertebrates; riparian vegetation.

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