Human activities influence on distribution of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) in a tropical riverine ecosystem in Kenya
Rivers are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services to both man and the environment. A wide range of communities in developing countries, such as Kenya rely on river water for irrigation, domestic use, animal watering, and industrial use leading to contamin...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Freshwater Ecology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02705060.2025.2539125 |
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| Summary: | Rivers are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services to both man and the environment. A wide range of communities in developing countries, such as Kenya rely on river water for irrigation, domestic use, animal watering, and industrial use leading to contamination and altered ecosystem quality. The study aimed to assess human activities influence on distribution of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera along River Kiminini in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. It was conducted in 2023 from July to September covering the wet season. Physical-chemical parameters in water and EPT richness were determined from 10 sampling stations along the river. Macroinvertebrates were collected for taxonomic identification and richness counts. The concentrations of phosphates in all stations were higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 0.1 mg/l. Stations S1 (12.09 mg/l), S2 (11.77 mg/l), S3 (14.40 mg/l), S7 (10.85 mg/l), and S9 (12.54 mg/l) had nitrate levels above the WHO-recommended threshold of 10 mg/l. The macroinvertebrates analysis revealed 42 macroinvertebrates genera, with EPT dominating the upstream stations and decreasing downstream with increasing levels of physical-chemical parameters influenced by human activities. In view of the downstream reduction in EPT richness with increase in physical-chemical parameters levels, the study highlights the significance of riparian land use control and continuous EPT species monitoring as a crucial measure to reduce water quality deterioration and enhance habitat conditions in general. |
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| ISSN: | 0270-5060 2156-6941 |