Macroinvertebrate Structural Composition as Indicators of Water Quality in Headwater Streams
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2200/aerj.v4i2.194Keywords:
Bioindication, Macroinverterbrates, Physico-Chemical Variables, Afrotropical StreamsAbstract
Changes in land use from forestry to urban settlement or agriculture are of great global concern because they are associated with soil degradation, enrichment of nutrients, sedimentation, input of harmful pollutants into aquatic ecosystems and alteration of ecological communities. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages at eight sites along the Nzoia River headwater streams and how they correspond to different land use practises were assessed in February-March, 2020 as indicators of water quality. These sites were selected along a disturbance gradient (land use) and were grouped into reference sites (n =4; minimally disturbed sites) and disturbed sites (n =4). A number of physico-chemical parameters were determined in situ and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol before being transported to the laboratory for processing. Variables; conductivity, DO, temperature, velocity and discharge recorded significant differences between the two site categories. Total abundance, taxon richness, evenness, diversity and number of dominant taxa were determined between the two site categories. EPT and Coleoptera co-dominated the reference sites, whereas, Diptera and the other order co-dominated the disturbed sites. Families Polycentropodidae and Hydropsychidae of order Trichoptera and Hydrophilidae of order Coleoptera were restricted to the reference sites. Tolerant families such as Mesoveliidae, Notonectidae and Belostomitadae of order Hemiptera and Thiaridae, Lymnaeidae and Planorbidae of order Mollusca were only found in the disturbed sites. Significant variations displayed in macroinvertebrate assemblages were largely due to variations in water quality. As in many other studies within the region, populations of macroinvertebrates have proven themselves to be good water quality indicators and can be used as bioindicators.
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