FRESHWATER BIOINDICATORS IN WATER SOURCES WITH RIPARIAN VEGETATION TO THE LA VILLA RIVER, 2015

Abstract

The study was carried out in the middle part of the La Villa river basin, which has an area of 1295,45 km² with economic, agricultural and industrial activities, affecting the riparian vegetation and water quality of the river. The study contemplated the monitoring of benthic macro invertebrates (March to May, 2015) in two farms located in Calabacito and Las Lomas, with riparian vegetation to the river La Villa. The results obtained in the Calabacito farm indicate greater dominance of the order Ephemeroptera (39,4%), Trichoptera (21%) and Odonata (9,84%). In contrast, on the Las Lomas farm, the order Ephemeroptera (30%), Odonata (16%), Coleoptera (15%) and Trichoptera (13%) predominated. In the Calabacito farm, an index of biological monitoring working party (BMWP), average 132, which resulted in excellent quality waters, for the initial, middle and final part, with 164, 102 and 131, respectively. The farm in Las Lomas obtained a total score of 128, classified class I: waters of excellent quality. The order of greatest dominance was Decapoda, with the Palaemonidae family. It is concluded that the livestock activity that develops in both farms, does not affect the quality of the waters and the riparian vegetation serves as a filter before the entrance of sediment and other possible contaminants into the riverbed. The use of freshwater macro invertebrate monitoring is a method that provides accurate information at lowcost.