Diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates and habitat quality in tributaries of the national natural park Selva Florencia

Abstract

Freshwater ecosystems are a primary source of ecosystem services essential for sustaining life and host an important diversity of aquatic species. The knowledge about aquatic macroinvertebrates is precarious in protected areas of Colombia. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate bioindicators and the ecological quality of habitat in the Selva Florencia National Natural Park (PNNSF). Samples were taken from six micro-watersheds; four points within the park and two in the buffer zone. The diversity index of order Q, variation in species composition, and its relationship with physicochemical variables were performed. To estimate habitat and water quality, the following indexes were used: Habitat Integrity Index (HII), the Riparian Ecosystem Quality Index (RQI), and the BMWP. A total of 2894 aquatic macroinvertebrates were collected. The most representative orders were Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. The IIH results were moderate to high integrity. The QBR ranged from 65-100, indicating an intermediate, good, and very good quality level. The BMWP indicated that all the tributaries studied are in the category of very good quality waters without evidence of contamination. Finally, it is concluded that the PNNSF and the buffer zone are fulfilling their role in the conservation of aquatic diversity and highlight the importance of continuing with the monitoring strategies implemented in the PNNSF to ensure the maintenance of its biological diversity and environmental integrity.