Establishing habitat-specific indicator species in Tierra del Fuego with freshwater macroinvertebrates

Abstract

As a tool to understand Tierra del Fuego’s basic ecology and detect changes due to human pressures, this study develops habitat bioindicators. We compared the freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates at 61 study sites in six habitat types: grassland streams, urbanised streams, forested streams, beaver ponds, lakes and peat bog ponds. Forty-nine taxa were identified; insects were the most diverse group. Beaver pond, lake and grassland stream assemblages were similar, as were those from lakes, grassland streams and peat bog ponds. Fourteen taxa were habitat-specific. In forests, these included mayfly scrapers (Andesiops, Meridialaris) and blackfly filterers (Gigantodax). In lakes, two copepod filterers were indicators, and in urban streams, one shredder (Aphroteniella) and three collector-gatherers (springtail, earthworm, aquatic worm). Predators (Corixa, Aeshna) were characteristic of peat bog ponds. Beaver ponds had no indicator species. Establishing links between species and ecosystems constitutes the beginning of a broader effort to understand anthropogenic impacts to Fuegian watersheds.