Assessment water quality in High Andean ecosystems: a comparative analysis of macroinvertebrate-based indices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.16.03Keywords:
high andean ecosystem, ABI index, BMWP/Col index, EPT index, macroivertebratesAbstract
The study was conducted in the Quinllunga Water Protection Area in Bolívar Province, in the Ecuadorian Andes, with the objective of assessing the water quality of the Diablo Sacha River. Ten monitoring stations were established along the river's course. Three sampling campaigns were carried out, during which macroinvertebrates were collected, and key physicochemical parameters were recorded. To evaluate water quality, the Biological Monitoring Working Party index adapted to Colombia (BMWP/Col), Andean Biotic Index (ABI), and the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) index were applied. Additionally, the Simpson Index (D) and the Shannon Index (H') were calculated to assess macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. A Spearman correlation was performed between D and H' and the physicochemical parameters to determine how environmental quality affects biodiversity. Finally, a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to identify how environmental factors at each station influence the composition and distribution of biological communities. Overall, water quality across the 10 sampling points ranged from good to acceptable according to the BMWP and ABI indices, which showed consistent results. However, the EPT index, however, presented discrepancies, classifying the water quality as poor to moderate. The Spearman correlation and PCA further highlighted differences in macroinvertebrate sensitivity depending on habitat conditions.
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