Linking physico-chemical parameters and macroinvertebrates for water quality assessment of Kakamega and the East Usambara montane ecosystems in Kenya

Sub-Saharan freshwater biodiversity is impacted by changes in land use and climate change. To evaluate the relationship between physico-chemical variables and macroinvertebrate community assemblages in Kakamega and the East Usambara Mountains forests, we explored benthic macroinvertebrate community structure in relation to physico-chemical conditions of the water along an anthropogenic stress gradient. Sampling was done in six selected streams during the rainy and dry seasons between April 2017 and November 2019. At Kakamega, 367 macroinvertebrate individuals were identified belonging to 22 families, while at Usambara, 456 individuals belonging to 25 families were identified. Spearman's correlation revealed significant interactions in species diversity, evenness, and richness between macroinvertebrates and several physico-chemical parameters (pH, conductivity, total dissolved substances, salinity and temperature). At Usambara, species richness, evenness and diversity was significantly negatively correlated with conductivity, tds, salinity, temperature and pH. We demonstrated that macroinvertebrate indices can be used as a quick evaluation tool of water quality in response to stream systems in the region as well as help in pointing out early warnings to help mitigate and reduce threats to stream biodiversity from anthropogenic activities.