Benthic macroinvertebrate communities and water quality assessment in high Andean Wetlands Callali-Oscollo, Arequipa-Cusco, Peru

Abstract

High Andean wetlands are fragile systems, vulnerable to human activity and climate change. In the Arequipa region (Peru), there are high Andean lotic and lentic systems currently affected by livestock raising, fish farming, and dams. The aim of the study was to evaluate the aquatic invertebrate community in the Callalli-Oscollo wetlands and the possible impact of human activities. Samples were taken from November 2017 to October 2018 at 4 sampling stations in lotic environments and 2 in lentic environments. Macroinvertebrates were identified to the family level. The following were determined to evaluate community structure: richness, relative abundance, Shannon-Wiener diversity, Simpson dominance, Pielou evenness, and true diversity. The indices ABI, BMWP/Bol and nPeBMWP were applied to evaluate the ecological quality of the environments sampled. Thirty families were recorded in lotic environments, the most abundant being Chironomidae, Naididae, Limnesiidae, Elmidae, Baetidae and Lumbriculidae. The ecological quality was good, except at the station associated to the dam, where it was doubtful. Twenty-six families were recorded in lentic environments, the most abundant being Cyprididae, Naididae and Corixidae. The macroinvertebrate communities in high Andean environments reflect ecosystem conditions. Environments associated to human activity have lower ecological quality.