Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the impact of human activities and environmental drivers on macroinvertebrate communities is critical to adequately manage river ecosystems under multiple stressors. In this study, we assessed macroinvertebrate community structure in relation to water and sediment chemistry. Samples (i.e., water, sediment and macroinvertebrates) were collected from 16 sites along the subtropical Luvuvhu River (South Africa) mainstem and its tributaries across two seasons (i.e., cool-dry (June), hot-wet (November)). The analysed data was assessed using multivariate analyses and diversity matrices. Significant differences were observed across seasons and river sections for most water (i.e., pH, temperature, resistivity, ammonium, phosphates) and sediment (i.e., potassium, sodium, copper, zinc,

SUBMITTER: Munyai LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11850919 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature