TITLE:
Comparing Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Forest and Urban Streams of the Coastal Ecological Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Fils Mamert Onana, Serge Hubert Zebaze Togouet, Antoine Arfao Tamsa, Nectaire Lié Nyamsi Tchatcho, Siméon Tchakonte, Ernest Koji, Armel William Yemtsa Yemeli, Abigaelle Natacha Sandrine Mouto Makong
KEYWORDS:
Urban and Forest Streams, Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Water Pollution, Biological Indices, Functional Feeding Groups
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.9 No.12,
December
27,
2019
ABSTRACT: In this study conducted in the coastal zone of Cameroon, biological indices and functional feeding groups of benthic macroinvertebrates were used to assess the health status of two urban streams. For a better diagnosis, two streams located in coastal forest zone were used as a reference. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly over a 3-month period (from May to July 2017) in six urban stations and six forest stations. Measurements of the physicochemical variables were done simultaneously. Physicochemical analysis revealed that urban streams are strongly polluted with high content of decaying organic matters, while forest streams are slightly polluted as indicated by the Principal Component Analysis. Concerning benthic macroinvertebrates, urban streams are poorly diversified with the proliferation of taxa tolerant to water pollution and belonging to the functional feeding groups of collectors-gatherers. Inversely, forest streams are more diversified and dominated by sensitive taxa, most belonging to the functional feeding groups of predators and shredders. These marked differences between biological indices and feeding mode of benthic macroinvertebrates in forest and urban rivers confirm the reliability of benthic macroinvertebrates as good indicators of freshwater ecosystem in the coastal zone of Cameroon.