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. S...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| author | Linton F. Munyai Busisiwe P. Gumede Farai Dondofema Tatenda Dalu |
| author_facet | Linton F. Munyai Busisiwe P. Gumede Farai Dondofema Tatenda Dalu |
| author_sort | Linton F. Munyai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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, boron, sediment organic carbon) variables. Macroinvertebrates exhibited high diversity during hot–wet season compared to the cool–dry season, with a six distinct macroinvertebrates families (i.e., Odonata, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera) having a high taxon abundances. Based on CCA analysis, seasons were positively associated with CCA axis 2, and were characterised by high Mg, Na, pH, sediment organic carbon, ammonium and phosphates, with all highlighted variables having a significant effect on macroinvertebrate community composition. The results obtained from this study highlighted that water and sediment chemistry had significant associations with changes in macroinvertebrate communities and composition. Therefore, understanding the relationship between water and sediment chemistry, and macroinvertebrates diversity matrices in rivers that are impacted by human activities is essential for comprehending the integrity of river ecosystem and for providing guidance to conservation managers. This knowledge will assist on how to effectively manage and safeguard these systems against further deterioration from anthropogenic activities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11c7e9cc61544d87987dc172aa3545d9 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-11c7e9cc61544d87987dc172aa3545d92025-08-20T02:01:35ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-91346-9Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river systemLinton F. Munyai0Busisiwe P. Gumede1Farai Dondofema2Tatenda Dalu3Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of MpumalangaAquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of MpumalangaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Science, University of VendaAquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of MpumalangaAbstract 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, boron, sediment organic carbon) variables. Macroinvertebrates exhibited high diversity during hot–wet season compared to the cool–dry season, with a six distinct macroinvertebrates families (i.e., Odonata, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera) having a high taxon abundances. Based on CCA analysis, seasons were positively associated with CCA axis 2, and were characterised by high Mg, Na, pH, sediment organic carbon, ammonium and phosphates, with all highlighted variables having a significant effect on macroinvertebrate community composition. The results obtained from this study highlighted that water and sediment chemistry had significant associations with changes in macroinvertebrate communities and composition. Therefore, understanding the relationship between water and sediment chemistry, and macroinvertebrates diversity matrices in rivers that are impacted by human activities is essential for comprehending the integrity of river ecosystem and for providing guidance to conservation managers. This knowledge will assist on how to effectively manage and safeguard these systems against further deterioration from anthropogenic activities.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91346-9Macroinvertebrate community structureSedimentWaterMultivariate analysisDiversity matrices |
| spellingShingle | Linton F. Munyai Busisiwe P. Gumede Farai Dondofema Tatenda Dalu Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system Scientific Reports Macroinvertebrate community structure Sediment Water Multivariate analysis Diversity matrices |
| title | Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system |
| title_full | Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system |
| title_fullStr | Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system |
| title_short | Environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical African river system |
| title_sort | environmental characteristics shape macroinvertebrate community structure across spatiotemporal scales in a subtropical african river system |
| topic | Macroinvertebrate community structure Sediment Water Multivariate analysis Diversity matrices |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91346-9 |
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