Taxonomic Diversity, Assemblage Structure, and Biotic Integrety of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Guadalupe-San Marcos River System

Download or read book Taxonomic Diversity, Assemblage Structure, and Biotic Integrety of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Guadalupe-San Marcos River System written by C. Lexi Smith and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Freshwater ecosystems are historically known to support a wide range of biodiversity at various trophic levels. However, the loss of freshwater biodiversity is related to trends in deteriorating water quality caused by anthropogenic disturbances that negatively impact bioindicator communities (e.g., benthic macroinvertebrates; BMI). I incorporated parameters of the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) to assess taxonomic diversity, assemblage structure, and biotic integrity of BMI in the Guadalupe – San Marcos River System (GSMR) in Texas. I sampled 25,512 BMI from 44 sites of the GSMR within various sampling methods, regions, habitats, and substrates. Taxonomic diversity and assemblage structure of BMI appeared to be homogenous across the river system regardless of sampling method, habitat, and substrate. However, regions suggested the San Marcos River of having the highest alpha diversity, lowest beta diversity, and greatest biotic integrity compared to the observed anthropogenic disturbance of the Guadalupe River overall. My study emphasizes the need for improved efforts towards large river management and conservation efforts of biotic communities by identifying the structural relationship of BMI assemblages in the GSMR. My results will help improve bioassessments and continuing research for BMI assemblages found within a large river system.