Distribution, composition and impact of environmental factors on benthic macroinvertebrates functional feeding groups and ecosystem attributes in river Yaah (East Lekie)
1 Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment (LHE), Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, BP 812 Yaounde. Cameroon.
2 Department of Environmental Engineering, National Advanced School of Public Work, BP 510 Yaounde. Cameroon.
3 research natural risks laboratory division, ministry of Scientific research and of Innovation, National Institute of Cartography, BP 157 Yaounde, Cameroon
4 Général Pathophysiology Laboratory, Forest and environment biodiversity division, Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (IRAD), BP 2123, Yaoundé, Cameroon
5 Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Environment (LHE), Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, BP 812 Yaounde. Cameroon.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(03), 2326-2338
Publication history:
Received on 13 November 2024; revised on 22 December 2024; accepted on 24 December 2024
Abstract:
From July 2022 to May 2023, a study was carried out in the Lékié division (Center region) and its objective was to evaluate the composition and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates functional feeding groups in relation to the characteristics of environmental factors and determine the ecosystem attributes of the Yaah watercourse. For that, in three sampling stations, the collection of water samples for analysis and benthic macroinvertebrates were carried out according to standard methods. The grouping of benthic macroinvertebrates into functional feeding groups was done thanks to the keys and appropriate works. A total of 730 benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 38 families were identified and the families of Belostomidae (11.51%) and Libellulidae (10.96%) were the most dominant. The 38 families of benthic macroinvertebrates identified were grouped into 5 trophic functional groups, predators (63.29%) and Shredders (22.19%) were largely predominant. The distribution of collectors varied from YA 1 to YA 3. The abundance relative of Shredders decreased from upstream to downstream while that of filters increased earlier and these variations were consistent with the River Continuum Concept. The electrical conductivity was influenced positively the distribution of scrapers and gathering collectors while the suspended solids negatively influenced the distribution of shredders and positively the distribution of predators. The watercourses sampled were heterotrophic, conducive to the development of shredders and dominated by Coarse Particulate Organic Matter and predators.
Keywords:
Functional Feeding Group; Benthic Macroinvertebrates; Parameters Physicochemical; Ecosystem Attributes
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