Barreiras físicas e velocidade de água influenciam a riqueza de invertebrados no fundo de um córrego no Parque Estadual do Rio Preto?

Abstract

We tested the hypotheses that the presence of physical barriers (i) and lower water velocity (ii) influence leaf retention and benthic richness (iii) in a headwater stream at the Rio Preto State Park. We evaluated physical habitat metrics, leaf transport and retention, and macroinvertebrate richness in leaf banks deposited at the stream bottom. The presence of physical barriers positively influenced leaf retention, but not water velocity. There was no influence of the number of leaves deposited in the retention areas on the richness of macroinvertebrates. Physical barriers are important for the dynamics of allochthonous organic matter and maintenance of riparian zones influencing the functioning of headwater streams.