Validating anthropogenic threat maps as a tool for assessing river ecological integrity in Andean-Amazon basins.

ABSTRACT: Anthropogenic threat maps are commonly used as a surrogate for the ecological integrity of rivers in freshwater conservation, but a clearer understanding of their relationships is required to develop proper management plans at large scales. Here, we developed and validated empirical models that link the ecological integrity of rivers to threat maps in a large, heterogeneous and biodiverse Andean-Amazon watershed. Through fieldwork, we recorded data on aquatic invertebrate community composition, habitat quality, and physical-chemical parameters to calculate the ecological integrity of 140 streams/rivers across the basin. Simultaneously, we generated maps that describe the location, extent, and magnitude of impact of nine anthropogenic threats to freshwater systems in the basin. Through seve

SUBMITTER: Lessmann J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6874857 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature