Habitat characteristics and anthropogenic activities influence the distribution of macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences in Nigerian streams: a case study of Osun State, Nigeria

• Published in: Aquatic ecology 2024-09, Vol.58 (3), p.833-852
• Main Authors: Akinpelu, O. T., Arimoro, F. O., Ayanwale, A. V., Chukwuemeka, V. I., Oladeji, T. A., Akindele, E. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Biochemical oxygen demand; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomonitoring; Body shape; Body size; Dissolved oxygen; Dissolved solids; Dry season; Ecosystems; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Environmental factors; Flow rates; Freshwater; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Geographical locations; Habitat selection; Habitats; Human influences; Impact analysis; Inland water environment; Life Sciences; Macroinvertebrates; Organic matter; Oxygen demand; Oxygen requirement; Phosphates; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Preferences; Principal components analysis; Rainy season; Rivers; Streams; Temperature preferences; Total dissolved solids; Total oxygen demand; Turbidity; Water depth; Water discharge; Water temperature; Wet season; Zoobenthos
• ISSN: 1386-2588; 1573-5125
• DOI: 10.1007/s10452-024-10108-3

Impact of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of macroinvertebrate traits and ecological preferences was assessed in Osun State, Nigerian. Physicochemical parameters involving water depth (WD), channel width (CW), flow rate, discharge, water temperature (W.T), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, nitrate, phosphate and organic matter (OM), were appraised, alongside macroinvertebrates from 5 streams in different geographical locations. Sampling spanned from December 2019 to October 2021, covering early and late dry seasons, as well as early and late rainy seasons. Principal component analysis classified the sites into three impact categories: least impacted (LIS), moderately impacted (MIS), and highly impacted (HIS). Nine traits and ecological preferences displayed significant variations alongside nine physicochemical variables, such as phosphate, OM, WD, discharge, CW, TDS, EC, W.T, and nitrate, within the Fourth-corner figure. Furthermore, these traits and ecological preferences exhibited notable correlations with site impact categories, including–no turbidity preference, spherical body shape, climbers to LIS, preference for transparent water, crawlers, climbers, burrowers, small body size to MIS, and highly tolerant to ocxygen depletion to MIS.This study underscores the effectiveness of macroinvertebrate trait-based approach as a freshwater biomonitoring tool in Osun State, Nigeria, providing essential insights into how environmental factors influence macroinvertebrate traits in lotic systems in the region, with implications not only locally but also for broader eclogical studies.