The role of macroinvertebrates for conservation of freshwater systems

NIETO, C. ; OVANDO, X. ; LOYOLA, R; IZQUIERDO, A. ; ROMERO, F.; MOLINERI, C; RODRIGUEZ, J.; RUEDA MARTIN, P; FERNANDEZ, H; MANZO, V; MIRANDA, MJ

Ecology and Evolution

Jhon Wiley and Sons Ltd

Año: 2017 vol. 7 p. 5502 - 5513

2045-7758

Freshwater ecosystems are the mostthreatened ecosystems worldwide. Argentinian- protectedáreas have been established mainly to protectvertebrates and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to créate a comprehensive biodiverse conservation plan, itis crucial to integrate both aquatic and terrestrial systems and toincludemacroinvertebrates. Here, weaddressthis topic byproposing priority áreas of conservation including invertebrates, aquaticecosystems, and their connectivity andland uses. Location: NorthwestofArgentina. Wemodeled the ecological nichesof different taxa ofmacroinvertebrates such as Coleoptera, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera,Lepidoptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Acari,and Mollusca. Based on thesemodels, we analyzed the contribution of currently establishedprotected areas inthe conservation of theaquaticbiodiversity and we propose a spatial prioritizationtaking into account posible conflict regarding differentland uses. Ouranalysis unitswere the real watersheds, to which were added longitudinal connectivity up anddown the rivers. A totalof 132 species were modeled in the priority areaanalyses. The analysis 1 showed that only an insignificant percentage of themacroinvertebrates distribution is within the protected áreas in the North West of Argentina. The analyses 2 and 3 recovered similar values. Of protection .for themacroinvertebrate species. The upper part of Bermejo,Salí-Dulce, San Francisco, and the. Upper part. Of. Juramento basins were.identifieAs priority áreas of conservation. The aquatic ecosystems need special protection and 10% or even as much as 17% of land conservation is insufficient for species of macroinvertebrates. In turn the protected áreas need to combine the aquatic and terrestrial systems and need to include macroinvertebrates as a key group to sustain the biodiversity. In many cases,the land uses are in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity; however, it is posible to apply the connectivity of.the watersheds and créate multiple use modules.