Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams
Tropical streams host diverse benthic macroinvertebrates, essential for ecological processes and bioindicators of ecosystem health. However, land use changes, such as sugarcane cultivation, negatively impact stream structure and function. This study examined these effects by comparing streams in sug...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Limnological Review |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/25/2/13 |
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| author | Marcus Vinícius França Erika Mayumi Shimabukuro Welber Senteio Smith Mariana Morilla Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki |
| author_facet | Marcus Vinícius França Erika Mayumi Shimabukuro Welber Senteio Smith Mariana Morilla Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki |
| author_sort | Marcus Vinícius França |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Tropical streams host diverse benthic macroinvertebrates, essential for ecological processes and bioindicators of ecosystem health. However, land use changes, such as sugarcane cultivation, negatively impact stream structure and function. This study examined these effects by comparing streams in sugarcane-dominated areas with those in native vegetation. Streams with native vegetation showed 2226 individuals across 107 taxa, 39 families, and 52 genera, with Chironomidae (Chironominae, Tanypodinae), Leptoceridae, Leptophlebiidae, and Calamoceratidae being the most abundant. In contrast, sugarcane streams showed 692 individuals from 47 taxa, 24 families, and 19 genera, with Chironomidae (Chironominae, Tanypodinae), Dryopidae, and Simuliidae dominating. The first hypothesis suggested that sugarcane plantations reduce taxonomic and functional diversity. The results partially confirmed this, showing lower abundance and richness in sugarcane streams, though functionality remained unchanged. The second hypothesis proposed greater seasonal taxonomic variation in sugarcane streams due to hydrological differences. Results supported this, revealing stronger seasonal shifts, particularly during the rainy season. These findings highlight the significant impact of sugarcane cultivation on aquatic ecosystems. Continuous monitoring of macroinvertebrates in agricultural landscapes is crucial for assessing environmental impacts and guiding conservation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bde0f741e0cb4770b3904ff5bc8284ea |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-bde0f741e0cb4770b3904ff5bc8284ea2025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGLimnological Review2300-75752025-04-012521310.3390/limnolrev25020013Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical StreamsMarcus Vinícius França0Erika Mayumi Shimabukuro1Welber Senteio Smith2Mariana Morilla3Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki4Center for Engineering, Modeling, and Applied Social Sciences, Federal University of ABC—UFABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, B. Santa Terezinha, Santo André 09210-580, SP, BrazilBiosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, s/n, Rubião Junior, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, BrazilLaboratory of Structural and Functional Ecosystem Ecology, Universidade Paulista—UNIP, Av. Independência, 210, Éden, Sorocaba 18087-101, SP, BrazilCenter for Engineering, Modeling, and Applied Social Sciences, Federal University of ABC—UFABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, B. Santa Terezinha, Santo André 09210-580, SP, BrazilCenter for Engineering, Modeling, and Applied Social Sciences, Federal University of ABC—UFABC, Av. dos Estados, 5001, B. Santa Terezinha, Santo André 09210-580, SP, BrazilTropical streams host diverse benthic macroinvertebrates, essential for ecological processes and bioindicators of ecosystem health. However, land use changes, such as sugarcane cultivation, negatively impact stream structure and function. This study examined these effects by comparing streams in sugarcane-dominated areas with those in native vegetation. Streams with native vegetation showed 2226 individuals across 107 taxa, 39 families, and 52 genera, with Chironomidae (Chironominae, Tanypodinae), Leptoceridae, Leptophlebiidae, and Calamoceratidae being the most abundant. In contrast, sugarcane streams showed 692 individuals from 47 taxa, 24 families, and 19 genera, with Chironomidae (Chironominae, Tanypodinae), Dryopidae, and Simuliidae dominating. The first hypothesis suggested that sugarcane plantations reduce taxonomic and functional diversity. The results partially confirmed this, showing lower abundance and richness in sugarcane streams, though functionality remained unchanged. The second hypothesis proposed greater seasonal taxonomic variation in sugarcane streams due to hydrological differences. Results supported this, revealing stronger seasonal shifts, particularly during the rainy season. These findings highlight the significant impact of sugarcane cultivation on aquatic ecosystems. Continuous monitoring of macroinvertebrates in agricultural landscapes is crucial for assessing environmental impacts and guiding conservation strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/25/2/13agricultureland usebiodiversityaquatic ecosystems |
| spellingShingle | Marcus Vinícius França Erika Mayumi Shimabukuro Welber Senteio Smith Mariana Morilla Ricardo Hideo Taniwaki Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams Limnological Review agriculture land use biodiversity aquatic ecosystems |
| title | Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams |
| title_full | Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams |
| title_short | Impact of Sugarcane Cultivation on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Tropical Streams |
| title_sort | impact of sugarcane cultivation on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in tropical streams |
| topic | agriculture land use biodiversity aquatic ecosystems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2300-7575/25/2/13 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcusviniciusfranca impactofsugarcanecultivationonbenthicmacroinvertebratecommunitiesintropicalstreams AT erikamayumishimabukuro impactofsugarcanecultivationonbenthicmacroinvertebratecommunitiesintropicalstreams AT welbersenteiosmith impactofsugarcanecultivationonbenthicmacroinvertebratecommunitiesintropicalstreams AT marianamorilla impactofsugarcanecultivationonbenthicmacroinvertebratecommunitiesintropicalstreams AT ricardohideotaniwaki impactofsugarcanecultivationonbenthicmacroinvertebratecommunitiesintropicalstreams |