Zoobenthic communities in relation to slope, substrate heterogeneity and urban disturbances on Pampean hills streams (Argentina).

RODRIGUES CAPITULO, ALBERTO; PAGGI, A. C.; OCON, C.S.

VERH. INTERNAT. VEREIN LIMNOL.

E. Schweizerbart?sche Verlagsbuchhandlung

Lugar: Struttgar; Año: 2002 p. 1267 - 1273

0368-0770

The pattern distribution of aquatic organisms in the three studied streams of Sierras de Tandil System in the Pampean Biogeographic Province (Buenos Aires, Argentina) are strongly influenced by substratum characteristics and the water flow conditions (RODRIGUES CAPITULO et al. 2001). The association of these factors increases the habitat diversity, resulting in a large range of microhabitats with different sediment particle size, availability of food resources (BEISEL et al. 1998), and types and distribution of hyclrophytes. The majority of the creeks and streams in this area are only influenced by agriculture. However, near small cities (Ayacucho. Pirán, Maipú), urban contamination was observed, and the changes in the macroinvertebrate communities were assessed.