Loss of wetland habitats across the nation is staggering and continues, especially in urbanizing areas. Thus, wetland restoration has become a priority. However, questions remain regarding system function and biotic communities. We studied a constructed floodplain wetland complex near Dallas, Texas. We sought to improve understanding of wetland ecosystem development under the influence of different approaches to wetland restoration in an urbanizing landscape. In the wetland complex, 10 constructed sloughs, approximately 70m by 15m, were designated for this study. Our experiment monitored the establishment of aquatic plant and invertebrate communities under different experimental conditions. In 5 sloughs, 5 native perennial hydrophyte species were transplanted in blocks in each slough, with the remaining 5 sloughs unplanted. Portions of each slough were caged to determine the effects of protective caging. Using 1m2 caged and neighboring uncaged areas as quadrats, we sampled vegetation and the invertebrate community over two years to determine the effects of restoration treatmentsSlough planting did not result in statistically different levels of plant cover. However, invertebrate abundance was greater in planted sloughs, and plant composition was different, comprised more of perennial species in planted sloughs than in unplanted sloughs. Caging did not have an effect on plant or invertebrate communities. However, changes due to time resulted in significant increases in plant cover and invertebrate abundance and shifts in community composition. Four of 5 transplanted species were emergent growth forms. Emergent cover and the remaining species, Potamogeton nodosus, a floating-leafed plant, accounted for invertebrate community variation. Transplanted emergent species did not fare well, though other emergent species did colonize the site, along with widespread coverage by submerged Najas guadalupensis. Potamogeton spread rapidly, colonizing unplanted sloughs, and this will likely affect community development across the site. Plant and invertebrate richness values were low, likely due to hydrological extremes and the short period of time since construction. Water level fluctuations resulted in plant communities dominated by obligate wetland plants, though drought stress took a toll on survival of plants and invertebrates in late summer. Community development and system function were dependent mostly upon time and hydrology. on the communities.

Leaf litter is a major nutrient source for aquatic detrital food webs, fueling the microbes and macroinvertebrates that colonize it. Litter is especially important as a nutrient source for macroinvertebrates in headwater streams that tend to have lower primary production than higher-order stream systems. Understanding how litter decomposition and macroinvertebrates interact at large scales facilitates predictions about how stream ecosystems will change over space and time with regards to allochthonous nutrient inputs. We utilized a subset of the National Ecological Observatory Network's wadeable stream sites to deploy a litter pack study across the United States and Puerto Rico to determine the controlling factors for litter decomposition and associated macroinvertebrate assemblages, abundances, and species richness at a national scale. We found that litter species was the most important contributing factor to litter decomposition, and despite litter decomposition differences from stream to stream, the relative differences in decomposition rate between litter types was very similar. Stream identity, temperature, and flow also played roles in affecting decomposition patterns. In contrast to litter decomposition, litter species did not significantly contribute to variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages, abundance, or species richness, though environmental variables did impact abundance and species richness. These results suggest that there is functional redundancy in aquatic detritivore communities at large scales, and that the assemblages colonizing different species of leaf litter–despite being similar–might be functioning differently.

Este trabalho enfatizou as escalas espaciais de microhabitat e de mesohabitat para investigar como a fauna de macroinvertebrados aquáticos é influenciada pelas variáveis ambientais e espaciais. O primeiro capítulo trás uma visão geral da aplicabilidade das escalas de microhabitat e de mesohabitat ao avaliar a estrutura da fauna e, também, demonstra que a composição do substrato influencia a composição faunística. No segundo capítulo, realizamos uma avaliação da suficiência amostral e comparamos a diversidade alfa e beta entre métodos de coleta e entre diferentes mesohabitats. No terceiro capítulo avaliamos diferentes variáveis hidráulicas e suas relações com a abundância de indivíduos e a riqueza de táxons considerando as escalas espaciais de microhabitat e mesohabitat. Observamos que as condições hidráulicas foram importantes na estruturação da comunidade de macroinvertebrados, influenciando positivamente a abundância de indivíduos e negativamente a riqueza de táxons nos microhabitats. No quarto capítulo nos baseamos na teoria de metacomunidades para compreender a influência das variáveis ambientais e espaciais na estruturação da fauna em uma perspectiva de microescala. Além da esperada importância do ambiente para a microdistribuição dos organismos, identificamos uma forte influência do espaço na estruturação da fauna. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a fauna de macroinvertebrados aquáticos é estruturada pela composição do substrato, condições hidráulicas e fatores espaciais, todas estas condições perceptíveis na escala do microhabitat. Deste modo, a microescala pode ser considerada como uma perspectiva válida para o estudo de ecologia de riachos. / We focused on the microhabitat and the mesohabitat spatial scales to investigate the environmental and spatial features influence on aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna. The first chapter brings an overview about the microhabitat and mesohabitat applicability to evaluate the fauna structure. Likewise, it shows the substrate influence on the fauna composition. In the second chapter, we evaluate the sampling sufficiency and compare the alpha and beta diversity among the sampling methods and mesohabitats. In the third chapter we evaluated the hydraulic features and its relationships with abundance and richness considering the microhabitat and mesohabitat spatial scales. Our results show that the hydraulic conditions have influence on macroinvertebrate community structure, showing a positive relationship with abundance and negative with microhabitat richness. In the fourth chapter, we applied the metacommunity theory in the microhabitat scale to understand the hole of environmental and spatial features on the community structure. Further than the expected environmental influence on organisms microdistribution, we identified a strong spatial influence on the fauna structure. Our results showed that the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna was structured by the substrate composition, hydraulic conditions and spatial features. All this conditions are noticeable on microhabitat spatial scale. Accordingly, the microhabitat scale can be considered as an effectual perspective to the stream ecology.

Este trabalho enfatizou as escalas espaciais de microhabitat e de mesohabitat para investigar como a fauna de macroinvertebrados aquáticos é influenciada pelas variáveis ambientais e espaciais. O primeiro capítulo trás uma visão geral da aplicabilidade das escalas de microhabitat e de mesohabitat ao avaliar a estrutura da fauna e, também, demonstra que a composição do substrato influencia a composição faunística. No segundo capítulo, realizamos uma avaliação da suficiência amostral e comparamos a diversidade alfa e beta entre métodos de coleta e entre diferentes mesohabitats. No terceiro capítulo avaliamos diferentes variáveis hidráulicas e suas relações com a abundância de indivíduos e a riqueza de táxons considerando as escalas espaciais de microhabitat e mesohabitat. Observamos que as condições hidráulicas foram importantes na estruturação da comunidade de macroinvertebrados, influenciando positivamente a abundância de indivíduos e negativamente a riqueza de táxons nos microhabitats. No quarto capítulo nos baseamos na teoria de metacomunidades para compreender a influência das variáveis ambientais e espaciais na estruturação da fauna em uma perspectiva de microescala. Além da esperada importância do ambiente para a microdistribuição dos organismos, identificamos uma forte influência do espaço na estruturação da fauna. Nossos resultados demonstraram que a fauna de macroinvertebrados aquáticos é estruturada pela composição do substrato, condições hidráulicas e fatores espaciais, todas estas condições perceptíveis na escala do microhabitat. Deste modo, a microescala pode ser considerada como uma perspectiva válida para o estudo de ecologia de riachos. / We focused on the microhabitat and the mesohabitat spatial scales to investigate the environmental and spatial features influence on aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna. The first chapter brings an overview about the microhabitat and mesohabitat applicability to evaluate the fauna structure. Likewise, it shows the substrate influence on the fauna composition. In the second chapter, we evaluate the sampling sufficiency and compare the alpha and beta diversity among the sampling methods and mesohabitats. In the third chapter we evaluated the hydraulic features and its relationships with abundance and richness considering the microhabitat and mesohabitat spatial scales. Our results show that the hydraulic conditions have influence on macroinvertebrate community structure, showing a positive relationship with abundance and negative with microhabitat richness. In the fourth chapter, we applied the metacommunity theory in the microhabitat scale to understand the hole of environmental and spatial features on the community structure. Further than the expected environmental influence on organisms microdistribution, we identified a strong spatial influence on the fauna structure. Our results showed that the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna was structured by the substrate composition, hydraulic conditions and spatial features. All this conditions are noticeable on microhabitat spatial scale. Accordingly, the microhabitat scale can be considered as an effectual perspective to the stream ecology.

<p>Aquatic macroinvertebrates of channelized headwater streams in agricultural landscapes are exposed to alterations in chemistry and physical characteristics of benthic sediments. These habitat alterations are known to influence communities of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Benthic sediments can have a wide range of impacts and influences on aquatic macroinvertebrates. I hypothesized that sediments would play a significant role in determining macroinvertebrate community structure within agriculturally dominated headwater streams. I evaluated the influences of sediment chemistry characteristics and physical characteristics on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in Cedar Creek, Indiana and Michigan, and the Upper Big Walnut Creek, Ohio, during 2017 and 2018. Macroinvertebrates were collected twice per year using artificial substrate and leaf pack samplers and identified to the family level. Sediments were sampled two times per year and analyzed for seven physical characteristics and twenty sediment chemistry characteristics. Principle component analyses were used to create axes that are indicators of gradients of sediment chemistry and physical characteristics that occur among the samples. Macroinvertebrate community metrics used in the analyses included abundance, Shannon Diversity Index, Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores, Invertebrate Community Index scores, percentage of collector-filters, percentage of scrapers, percentage of Chironomidae and a Berger-Parker Reciprocal Index of dominance. Linear Mixed Effect Model analyses revealed that both sediment chemistry and physical characteristics influence macroinvertebrate community metrics. Aquatic macroinvertebrate abundance was negatively correlated with increasing concentrations of simazine and decreasing concentrations of calcium. Percentages of Chironomidae were positively correlated with increasing percentages of sand and decreasing percentages of clay and decreasing diversity of sediment particle sizes. My data supported the hypothesis that benthic sediments play an important role in determining aquatic macroinvertebrate community structure in headwater streams of agriculturally dominated landscapes. Gradients of chemical characteristics containing simazine and calcium were observed to be negatively correlated with macroinvertebrate abundance. Gradients of physical characteristics including percentages of sand and clay along with the diversity of particle sizes were observed to be positively correlated with percentage of chironomids. My research increases the knowledge that benthic sediments, chemically and physically, can lead to alterations in aquatic macroinvertebrate communities within Midwestern headwater streams. </p>

Large areas of northern Sweden have been ditched to promote forest growth by draining wet soils and peatlands. These ditches have greatly added to length of Sweden’s stream and river network, but the ecological properties of these man-made aquatic environments is poorly understood. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the extent to which forest ditches support benthic macroinvertebrate communities, test the factors might influence variation in these communities across ditches, and evaluate how these communities differ from those observed in more natural headwater streams. To do this, I analysed macroinvertebrate family richness and community composition from 16 sampling sites distributed across two ditch networks in northern Boreal Sweden. At each site, I also compiled information related to channel structure, water depth, and the upstream distance from more typical headwater streams. I then tested whether variation in community metrics among ditch sites was related to differences in local habitat properties as well in the spatial position of sites within the ditch network.  Finally, I used existing data from four headwater streams within the same broader catchment to evaluate how these communities compare with those observed in forest drainage ditches. Results showed that macroinvertebrate family richness and community composition varied among ditch sampling sites, but that these systems supported a range of aquatic taxa that are typically found in headwater streams.  Overall, family richness tended to increase among ditch sampling locations that had greater water depth at the time of sampling and that were located further downstream in the ditch network. In addition, sampling locations with mineral substrate tended to support communities with a greater representation of more sensitive aquatic orders when compared to sites dominated by peat sediments. Finally, while family richness was not significantly different between ditches and headwater streams, benthic communities in streams were dominated by different set of taxa that reflect greater flow velocity and better overall water quality conditions.  Overall, my results suggest ditches in the boreal forest landscape can support benthic communities that closely resemble what is observed in headwater streams. However, ditch habitats were also highly variable, with several sites indicating poor local habitat conditions for many benthic organisms.  Hydrological patterns, including water depth, but also unmeasured variables like flow velocity and the potential for seasonal drying likely play a key role in influencing the ecological properties of ditches in these landscapes.

O cromo é utilizado em diferentes setores industriais, inclusive aplicado em curtumes como curtente de couros, cujo processamento gera resíduos sólidos e líquidos contendo concentrações deste metal, que se lançados no meio aquático sem o devido tratamento, pode atingir os sedimentos e afetar a biota aquática. É nesse contexto que em 2001, cerca de 150 toneladas de aparas de couro foram lançadas no solo e a partir do runoff, lixiviadas para o córrego Monte Alegre, localizado no município de Araraquara (SP), contaminando o sedimento e ocasionando alterações na comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos do córrego. O presente trabalho visou avaliar os efeitos da contaminação de cromo em macroinvertebrados aquáticos no córrego Monte Alegre por meio do estudo da estrutura da comunidade e por testes de toxicidade aguda e crônica em larvas de Chironomus xanthus utilizando sedimento contaminado. As amostras foram coletadas em dois períodos do ano e em três pontos distintos do córrego, sendo um ponto à nascente (Ponto 1), um intermediário (Ponto 2) e outro próximo à área contaminada (Ponto 3). A comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos foi coletada em campo utilizando draga Ekman-Birge (225 cm²) e levada ao laboratório, onde passaram por triagem em bandejas transiluminadas. Os organismos foram identificados utilizando chaves de identificação específicas. O sedimento para a análise ecotoxicológica também foi coletado utilizando draga Ekman-Birge e levado ao laboratório para realização dos testes. Os organismos foram expostos ao sedimento contaminado para avaliação da mortalidade, em testes agudos com duração de 96 h, preparados em frascos de 500 mL onde foram adicionados, 240 mL de água deionizada, 60 g de sedimento, 5 mL de alimento (solução de Tetramin 5g L-1) e 6 larvas de IV instar. O teste crônico foi desenvolvido sob as mesmas condições do agudo, exceto pela adição de 6 larvas de Chironomus xanthus de I instar, aeração (4 mL s-¹) e duração de 8 dias. Os resultados da concentração de cromo no sedimento e da composição da comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos sugerem que o cromo proveniente das aparas de couro depositado no solo em 2001, no assentamento Monte Alegre, não interferiu na estrutura da comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos, uma vez que, no ponto 1 (nascente) também foi encontrado concentrações de cromo. Neste ponto, a riqueza e a diversidade de espécies foram mais elevadas quando comparadas aos demais pontos, apontando para uma boa qualidade ambiental. O sedimento do córrego apresentou indícios de toxicidade para as larvas de Chironomus xanthus no ponto 1 (nascente), tóxico no ponto 2 (intermediário) e ponto 3 (área impactada). Outros fatores como cultivos de cana-de-açúcar e banana, a utilização de fertilizantes e a ausência de mata ciliar podem ter contribuído para a baixa riqueza e diversidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos e para o aumento da toxicidade do sedimento nos pontos 2 e 3. Destaca-se a importância das matas ciliares na preservação da qualidade da água e como mecanismo de barreira e proteção contra a entrada de metais para os corpos de água. Ressalta-se ainda a necessidade do adequado manejo de produtos agrícolas, de resíduos de curtume e dos impactos que podem causar, não só para o meio ambiente modificando a paisagem e a qualidade ambiental, mas também para a comunidade do assentamento que utiliza o solo para a produção e comercialização de alimentos e a água para o consumo. / Chromium is used in different industrial sectors, including applied to tanneries such as leather tanning, whose processing generates solid and liquid residues containing concentrations of this metal, which if launched into the aquatic environment without due treatment, can reach the sediments and affect the aquatic biota. It is in this context that in 2001 about 150 tons of leather chips were released into the soil and from the runoff, leached to the Monte Alegre stream, located in the city of Araraquara (SP), contaminating the sediment and causing changes in the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates of the stream. The present work evaluate the effects of chromium contamination on aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Monte Alegre stream through of the community structure study and by acute and chronic toxicity tests on Chironomus xanthus larvae using contaminated sediment. The samples were collected in two periods of the year and at three distinct points of the stream, one point at the nascent (Point 1), one intermediate (Point 2) and one near the contaminated area (Point 3). The community of aquatic macroinvertebrates was collected in the field using Ekman-Birge drag (225 cm²) and taken to the laboratory, where they were screened in transiluminated trays. The organisms were identified using specific identification keys. The sediment for the ecotoxicological analysis was also collected using Ekman-Birge drag and taken to the laboratory for testing. The organisms were exposed to the contaminated sediment for mortality evaluation in acute tests with a duration of 96 h, prepared in 500 mL pots adding 240 mL of deionized water, 60 g of sediment, 5 mL of food (Tetramin\'s solution 5g L-1) and 6 instar IV larvae. The chronic test was developed under the same acute conditions, except for the addition of larvae of Chironomus xanthus of I instar, aeration (4 mL s-1) and duration of 8 days. The results of the concentration of chromium in the sediment and of the community composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates suggest that the chromium from the leather chips deposited in the soil in 2001 in the Monte Alegre stream did not interfere in the structure of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community, since the concentrations of chromium were also found in point 1 (nascent). At this point, the richness and diversity of species were higher when compared to the other points, pointing to a good environmental quality. The stream sediment showed evidence of toxicity for Chironomus xanthus larvae at point 1 (nascent) toxic at point 2 (intermediate) and point 3 (impacted area). Other factors such as sugarcane and banana plantation, the use of fertilizers and the absence of riparian vegetation may have contributed to the low richness and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates and to the increase toxicity in the sediment in points 2 and 3. Highlights the importance of riparian vegetation in the preservation of water quality and as a barrier mechanism and protection against the entry of metals into watercourse. The need for adequate management of agricultural products, tannery residues and the impacts they can cause, not only for the environment by modifying the landscape and environmental quality, but also for the local community that uses the soil to the production and commercialization of food and water for consumption.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-05-20T15:50:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 IrisMello.pdf: 1349633 bytes, checksum: 6abb513317d0e19af14881101d4117ef (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-20T15:50:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 IrisMello.pdf: 1349633 bytes, checksum: 6abb513317d0e19af14881101d4117ef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-12 / IRGA - Instituto Rio Grandense de Arroz / A contaminação por agrotóxicos é a principal fonte de poluição dos recursos hídricos e uma ameaça constante para biodiversidade e equilíbrio dos ecossistemas naturais. Em 2008, o Brasil tornou-se o maior consumidor de agrotóxicos do mundo. A orizicultura é uma das principais atividades responsáveis pelo desaparecimento das áreas úmidas naturais e aumento do uso de agrotóxicos. Diante do contexto, o trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a resiliência da comunidade de macro invertebrados aquáticos após a aplicação de agrotóxicos ao longo do ciclo de cultivo de arroz irrigado no Sul do Brasil. Os objetivos específicos do estudo foram: 1) Analisar as variações na riqueza, abundância e composição de macro invertebrados aquáticos, após a utilização de agroquímicos, nas lavouras de arroz irrigado no Sul do Brasil e comparar os resultados com as áreas úmidas naturais; 2) Avaliar a concentração e a persistência de resíduos de pesticidas na água de arrozais e seus possíveis efeitos sobre a comunidade de macro invertebrados aquáticos; e 3) Avaliar a relação entre as variáveis abióticas da água com a comunidade de macro invertebrados aquáticos. Foram realizadas cinco coletas ao longo da safra (2011-2012) em três lavouras de arroz irrigado e três áreas úmidas naturais. Foram coletados 9.831 macro invertebrados distribuídos em 41 táxons. A classe Insecta representou 49% da abundância total. A riqueza e a abundância de macro invertebrados foram maiores nas áreas úmidas naturais do que nas lavouras de arroz durante as coletas iniciais. O herbicida Clomazona apresentou uma relação negativa com a riqueza e a abundância de macro invertebrados aquáticos. Os resultados indicaram a aceitação da hipótese de estudo, a qual afirma que os agrotóxicos influenciam negativamente a comunidade de macro invertebrados aquáticos e que à medida que seus resíduos se dissipam na água das lavouras, a composição de macro invertebrados torna-se mais similar àquela encontrada nas áreas úmidas naturais. Além disso, o estudo constatou a alta sensibilidade da comunidade de macro invertebrados aquáticos frente à aplicação de agrotóxicos e seu possível uso como ferramenta complementar na avaliação da contaminação de ecossistemas aquáticos. / Agrochemical contamination is the main source of pollution of water resources and a constant threat to the biodiversity and balance of natural ecosystems. In 2008, Brazil became the largest consumer of agrochemicals in the world. Rice cultivation is one of the main activities responsible by the loss of natural wetlands and the increasing use of agrochemicals. In face with this context, this work aimed to evaluate the resilience of the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates after the application of agrochemicals throughout the cultivation cycle in southern Brazil. The specific objectives of this study were: 1) To analyze the variation in richness, abundance and composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates, after the use of agrochemicals,in rice plantations in southern Brazil and compare the results with natural wetlands; 2) To evaluate the concentration and persistence of residual pesticides in water from rice fields and the possible effects over the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates; and 3)To evaluate the relationship between water abiotic variables and the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Five samplings were conducted during the rice growing season (2011-2012) in three rice fields and three natural wetlands. A total of 9831 macroinvertebrates distributed in 41 taxa were collected. The Class Insecta represented 49% of total abundance. Macroinvertebrate richness and abundance were higher in natural wetlands than in rice plantations during initial samplings. The herbicide Clomazona showed a negative relation with richness and abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates. The results support the study hypothesis, which states that agrochemicals affect negatively the macroinvertebrate community and as the residues dissipate in water, the composition of macroinvertebrates becomes more similar between rice fields and natural wetlands. Moreover, the study showed a high sensibility of the macroinvertebrate community to the application of agrochemicals and its possible use as a complementary tool in the evaluation of contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

O cromo é utilizado em diferentes setores industriais, inclusive aplicado em curtumes como curtente de couros, cujo processamento gera resíduos sólidos e líquidos contendo concentrações deste metal, que se lançados no meio aquático sem o devido tratamento, pode atingir os sedimentos e afetar a biota aquática. É nesse contexto que em 2001, cerca de 150 toneladas de aparas de couro foram lançadas no solo e a partir do runoff, lixiviadas para o córrego Monte Alegre, localizado no município de Araraquara (SP), contaminando o sedimento e ocasionando alterações na comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos do córrego. O presente trabalho visou avaliar os efeitos da contaminação de cromo em macroinvertebrados aquáticos no córrego Monte Alegre por meio do estudo da estrutura da comunidade e por testes de toxicidade aguda e crônica em larvas de Chironomus xanthus utilizando sedimento contaminado. As amostras foram coletadas em dois períodos do ano e em três pontos distintos do córrego, sendo um ponto à nascente (Ponto 1), um intermediário (Ponto 2) e outro próximo à área contaminada (Ponto 3). A comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos foi coletada em campo utilizando draga Ekman-Birge (225 cm²) e levada ao laboratório, onde passaram por triagem em bandejas transiluminadas. Os organismos foram identificados utilizando chaves de identificação específicas. O sedimento para a análise ecotoxicológica também foi coletado utilizando draga Ekman-Birge e levado ao laboratório para realização dos testes. Os organismos foram expostos ao sedimento contaminado para avaliação da mortalidade, em testes agudos com duração de 96 h, preparados em frascos de 500 mL onde foram adicionados, 240 mL de água deionizada, 60 g de sedimento, 5 mL de alimento (solução de Tetramin 5g L-1) e 6 larvas de IV instar. O teste crônico foi desenvolvido sob as mesmas condições do agudo, exceto pela adição de 6 larvas de Chironomus xanthus de I instar, aeração (4 mL s-¹) e duração de 8 dias. Os resultados da concentração de cromo no sedimento e da composição da comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos sugerem que o cromo proveniente das aparas de couro depositado no solo em 2001, no assentamento Monte Alegre, não interferiu na estrutura da comunidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos, uma vez que, no ponto 1 (nascente) também foi encontrado concentrações de cromo. Neste ponto, a riqueza e a diversidade de espécies foram mais elevadas quando comparadas aos demais pontos, apontando para uma boa qualidade ambiental. O sedimento do córrego apresentou indícios de toxicidade para as larvas de Chironomus xanthus no ponto 1 (nascente), tóxico no ponto 2 (intermediário) e ponto 3 (área impactada). Outros fatores como cultivos de cana-de-açúcar e banana, a utilização de fertilizantes e a ausência de mata ciliar podem ter contribuído para a baixa riqueza e diversidade de macroinvertebrados aquáticos e para o aumento da toxicidade do sedimento nos pontos 2 e 3. Destaca-se a importância das matas ciliares na preservação da qualidade da água e como mecanismo de barreira e proteção contra a entrada de metais para os corpos de água. Ressalta-se ainda a necessidade do adequado manejo de produtos agrícolas, de resíduos de curtume e dos impactos que podem causar, não só para o meio ambiente modificando a paisagem e a qualidade ambiental, mas também para a comunidade do assentamento que utiliza o solo para a produção e comercialização de alimentos e a água para o consumo. / Chromium is used in different industrial sectors, including applied to tanneries such as leather tanning, whose processing generates solid and liquid residues containing concentrations of this metal, which if launched into the aquatic environment without due treatment, can reach the sediments and affect the aquatic biota. It is in this context that in 2001 about 150 tons of leather chips were released into the soil and from the runoff, leached to the Monte Alegre stream, located in the city of Araraquara (SP), contaminating the sediment and causing changes in the community of aquatic macroinvertebrates of the stream. The present work evaluate the effects of chromium contamination on aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Monte Alegre stream through of the community structure study and by acute and chronic toxicity tests on Chironomus xanthus larvae using contaminated sediment. The samples were collected in two periods of the year and at three distinct points of the stream, one point at the nascent (Point 1), one intermediate (Point 2) and one near the contaminated area (Point 3). The community of aquatic macroinvertebrates was collected in the field using Ekman-Birge drag (225 cm²) and taken to the laboratory, where they were screened in transiluminated trays. The organisms were identified using specific identification keys. The sediment for the ecotoxicological analysis was also collected using Ekman-Birge drag and taken to the laboratory for testing. The organisms were exposed to the contaminated sediment for mortality evaluation in acute tests with a duration of 96 h, prepared in 500 mL pots adding 240 mL of deionized water, 60 g of sediment, 5 mL of food (Tetramin\'s solution 5g L-1) and 6 instar IV larvae. The chronic test was developed under the same acute conditions, except for the addition of larvae of Chironomus xanthus of I instar, aeration (4 mL s-1) and duration of 8 days. The results of the concentration of chromium in the sediment and of the community composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates suggest that the chromium from the leather chips deposited in the soil in 2001 in the Monte Alegre stream did not interfere in the structure of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community, since the concentrations of chromium were also found in point 1 (nascent). At this point, the richness and diversity of species were higher when compared to the other points, pointing to a good environmental quality. The stream sediment showed evidence of toxicity for Chironomus xanthus larvae at point 1 (nascent) toxic at point 2 (intermediate) and point 3 (impacted area). Other factors such as sugarcane and banana plantation, the use of fertilizers and the absence of riparian vegetation may have contributed to the low richness and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates and to the increase toxicity in the sediment in points 2 and 3. Highlights the importance of riparian vegetation in the preservation of water quality and as a barrier mechanism and protection against the entry of metals into watercourse. The need for adequate management of agricultural products, tannery residues and the impacts they can cause, not only for the environment by modifying the landscape and environmental quality, but also for the local community that uses the soil to the production and commercialization of food and water for consumption.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo testar se os fatores ambientais cobertura vegetal, estrutura ambiental, vazão e características físicas e químicas da água (pH, oxigênio dissolvido, temperatura da água e condutividade) podem predizer a abundância, a diversidade e a composição de Chironomidae em riachos. As coletas foram realizadas em riachos localizados nos núcleos Santa Virgínia e Cunha-Indaiá, Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, Estado de São Paulo, e suas adjacências, nos meses de outubro de 2006 e outubro e novembro de 2007. Em cada riacho a fauna associada a 25 rochas (com aproximadamente 20 centímetros de diâmetro) foi coletada. Foram coletados 3758 indivíduos distribuídos em 71 táxons. A riqueza estimada para a região, através do método de Jacknife 2, foi de 105 táxons. Os coeficientes parciais estimados a partir da regressão linear múltipla demonstraram que a cobertura vegetal teve influência significativa sobre a abundância e o oxigênio dissolvido sobre a riqueza. Nenhum fator ambiental foi preditivo da composição faunística. Riachos que apresentaram as maiores vazões e os menores escores do RCE apresentaram menores valores para a diversidade beta / This study aimed to test the effects of vegetation cover, environmental structure, discharge and physical and chemical characteristics (pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature and conductivity) on the abundance, diversity and composition of Chironomidae fauna in streams. The sampling was done in streams from Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (Núcleos Santa Virgínia e Cunha-Indaiá) and neighborhoods, in October 2006, and October and November 2007. In each stream, the individuals of Chironomidae associated to 25 individual stones were sampled. The total of 3758 individuals in 71 taxa was collected. The richness, estimated by Jacknife 2, to the streams of the studied region was 105 taxa. The partial coefficients estimated by multiple linear regression showed that canopy cover was related to the abundance and the dissolved oxygen to the richness. No environmental factor was predictive of faunistic composition. Larger size and lower RCE scores streams presented lower beta diversity.