Effects of reforestation of the riparian zone of streams on water quality and macroinvertebrate communities.

• Grant number: 13/19950-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Marcel Okamoto Tanaka
• Grantee: Rogério Aparecido Libório
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The degradation and conversion of large forested areas for human activities is the leading cause of deforestation of riparian zones which consequently, decreases the water quality and biological diversity. Face of the current state of degradation of most streams, emergency restorations have been globally recommended. In Brazil, the restoration of degraded areas has involved researchers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations in its elaboration. Within the strategies is the reforestation of the riparian zone, recommended as the best way to protect water resources and biodiversity recovery. However, we still know little about the effects of these strategies on the recovery of the water quality of streams and their aquatic communities, so further studies aimed at monitoring and evaluation of these areas are needed. Therefore, this project aims to assess the effects of reforestation of riparian zones in the water quality, physical characteristics of the stream and in the communities of aquatic macroinvertebrates. For this, sections will be sampled paired upstream and inside forested areas, along a stream located in rural heavily modified by human activities surroundings in the northwest of the state of São Paulo. The results will allow a better understanding of the effects of restoration of riparian vegetation in the water quality and recovery of biological communities in streams thus contribute to the implementation of future projects and better management of water resources.