Development and validation of a Biotic Index for evaluation of environmental quality in the central region of Argentina

HUED, A. C.; BISTONI, M. A.

HYDROBIOLOGIA

Año: 2005 vol. 543 p. 279 - 298

0018-8158

Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) has become and important issue because it flows into Mar Chiquita Lake (one of the largest saline lakes in the world). This water body together with the expansive swamps of the Dulce River on the northern shore and the mouth of Suquía and Xanaes River have been designated as a Ramsar site for being considered as one of the most important wetlands in Argentina in terms of richness of biodiversity in a range of freshwater to very saline environments. Nevertheless, the presence of densely populated urban settlements and the increasing environmental impact due to the anthropogenic activities characterize the central and lower sections of Suquía River Basin. Fishes are particularly affected and change their distribution and abundance as a consequence of the environmental deterioration. We collected information on fish fauna to develop and validate a biotic index to assess degradation of the Suquía River Basin. We classified fish species according to their sensitiveness or tolerance to environmental degradation, based on their distribution and abundance variations along a water quality gradient. We demonstrated that it is possible to use fish as indicators of water quality in Córdoba Province in order to carry out rapid and relatively inexpensive monitoring and conservation programs. Its application showed that fish assemblages reflected the watershed conditions and demonstrated to be sensitive to changes in water quality across the environmental gradient.