Aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity in freshwater streams with native riparian vegetation of Uruguay

Abstract

Uruguay has a dense hydrographic network, nevertheless the knowledge of the aquatic macroinvertebratecommunity is still lacking. In recent decades afforestation with exotic species has increased which has produced changesin riparian vegetation of some rivers. The aim of this research was to determine the composition and trophic structureof macroinvertebrate community and its relationship to some physicochemical parameters in eight streams where thenative forest is still well preserved and provide the basis for future studies. Samples were collected from December2006 to December 2007. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity were measured in situ. Taxonomiccomposition and abundance were determined, a principal component analysis and a canonical correspondence analysiswere carried out with the physico-chemical and biological parameters.