info:eu-repo/semantics/article
The role of macroinvertebrates for conservation of freshwater systems
Fecha
2017-07Registro en:
Nieto Peñalver, María Carolina; Ovando, Ximena Maria Constanza; Loyola, Rafael; Izquierdo, Andrea Elisa; Romero, Vivian de Fátima; et al.; The role of macroinvertebrates for conservation of freshwater systems; John Wiley and Sons Ltd; Ecology and Evolution; 7; 14; 7-2017; 5502-5513
2045-7758
CONICET Digital
CONICET
Autor
Nieto Peñalver, María Carolina
Ovando, Ximena Maria Constanza
Loyola, Rafael
Izquierdo, Andrea Elisa
Romero, Vivian de Fátima
Molineri, Carlos
Rodríguez, José
Rueda Martin, Paola Alejandra
Fernandez, Hugo Rafael
Manzo, María Verónica
Miranda, Maria Jose
Resumen
Freshwater ecosystems are the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. Argentinian-protected areas have been established mainly to protect vertebrates and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to create a comprehensive biodiverse conservation plan, it is crucial to integrate both aquatic and terrestrial systems and to include macroinvertebrates. Here, we address this topic by proposing priority areas of conservation including invertebrates, aquatic ecosystems, and their connectivity and land uses. Location: Northwest of Argentina. We modeled the ecological niches of different taxa of macroinvertebrates such as Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Acari, and Mollusca. Based on these models, we analyzed the contribution of currently established protected areas in the conservation of the aquatic biodiversity and we propose a spatial prioritization taking into account possible conflict regarding different land uses. Our analysis units were the real watersheds, to which were added longitudinal connectivity up and down the rivers. A total of 132 species were modeled in the priority area analyses. The analysis 1 showed that only an insignificant percentage of the macroinvertebrates distribution is within the protected areas in the North West of Argentina. The analyses 2 and 3 recovered similar values of protection for the macroinvertebrate species. The upper part of Bermejo, Salí-Dulce, San Francisco, and the Upper part of Juramento basins were identified as priority areas of conservation. The aquatic ecosystems need special protection and 10% or even as much as 17% of land conservation is insufficient for species of macroinvertebrates. In turn the protected areas need to combine the aquatic and terrestrial systems and need to include macroinvertebrates as a key group to sustain the biodiversity. In many cases, the land uses are in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; however, it is possible to apply the connectivity of the watersheds and create multiple-use modules.