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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The effect of riparian deforestation on macroinvertebrates associated with submerged woody debris

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Author(s):
Valente-Neto, Francisco [1] ; Koroiva, Ricardo [1] ; Fonseca-Gessner, Alaide Aparecida [2] ; Roque, Fabio de Oliveira [3]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Conservacao, BR-79070900 Campo Grande, MS - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Hidrobiol, BR-13565905 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Dept Biol, BR-79070900 Campo Grande, MS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: AQUATIC ECOLOGY; v. 49, n. 1, p. 115-125, MAR 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 11
Abstract

Riparian deforestation is one of the main causes of change in freshwater ecosystems, resulting in the reduction of biological integrity and the loss of ecosystem functions. Our goal was to understand how a gradient of deforestation may affect abundance and richness of specialist and generalist macroinvertebrates associated with submerged woody debris in Neotropical streams. We conducted an observational study sampling mixed-species woody debris from 16 streams along a deforestation gradient. We also conducted an incubation study with known woody debris species (Cecropia pachystachya Tr,cul) in six streams. We collected 781 specimens and identified 50 taxa in the observational study, and we found 99 individuals belonging to 17 taxa in incubation study. Results from the two complementary studies indicate that the effect of riparian deforestation was more pronounced for wood specialists than generalists. Deforestation decreased the abundance and richness of wood specialists, and some taxa were locally extinct. The incubation study showed that sedimentation, which leads to the burying of woody debris, is an important process impeding macroinvertebrate colonization. Our study highlights the importance of woody debris as habitat for aquatic communities and as a structural component of streams, with important implications for conservation and biomonitoring. We suggest that wood specialists could be a potential group for use in biomonitoring programs aimed at assessing the impact of deforestation. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 06/58849-8 - Use of Xylophilus macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of biological integrity of streams in the State of São Paulo
Grantee:Francisco Valente Neto
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation