title: Choice of macroinvertebrate metrics to evaluate stream conditions in Atlantic Forest, Brazil.
abstract: The development of biomonitoring programs based on the macroinvertebrate community requires the understanding of species distribution patterns, as well as of the responses of the community to anthropogenic stressors. In this study, 49 metrics were tested as potential means of assessing the condition of 29 first- and second-order streams located in areas of differing types of land use in São Paulo State, Brazil. Of the sampled streams, 15 were in well-preserved regions in the Atlantic Forest, 5 were among sugarcane cultivations, 5 were in areas of pasture, and 4 were among eucalyptus plantations. The metrics were assessed against the following criteria: (1) predictable response to the impact of human activity; (2) highest taxonomic resolution, and (3) operational and theoretical simplicity. We found that 18 metrics were correlated with the environmental and spatial predictors used, and seven of these satisfied the selection criteria and are thus candidates for inclusion in a multimetric system to assess low-order streams in São Paulo State. These metrics are family richness; Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness; proportion of Megaloptera and Hirudinea; proportion of EPT; Shannon diversity index for genus; and adapted Biological Monitoring Work Party biotic index.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Entomologia Aquática, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. marcia_suriano@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Marcia Thais
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Suriano
authors.forename: Alaide A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fonseca-Gessner
authors.forename: Fabio O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Roque
authors.forename: Claudio G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Froehlich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007313:Insecta; D007448:Invertebrates; D045483:Rivers; D014197:Trees
references.citation: Annu Rev Entomol. 1998;43:271-93
references.pmid: 15012391
references.citation: Environ Monit Assess. 2008 Mar;138(1-3):131-8
references.pmid: 17503204
references.citation: Ecol Lett. 2008 Feb;11(2):139-50
references.pmid: 18031554
references.citation: Environ Monit Assess. 2005 Feb;101(1-3):117-28
references.pmid: 15736880
references.citation: Nature. 2000 Feb 24;403(6772):853-8
references.pmid: 10706275
references.citation: Annu Rev Entomol. 2006;51:495-523
references.pmid: 16332221