Análisis comparativo de la calidad de agua usando macroinvertebrados bentónicos como bioindicadores en dos bofedales en la comunidad Pucará, parroquia Pilahuín, dentro de la Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo.

Abstract

The present investigation proposes to evaluate through a comparative quality water analysis by using benthic macroinvertebrates as bio indicators in two bofedales in the Pucará community, Pilahuín parish, within the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve; the bofedales are systems that provide diverse environmental services such as the regulation of the water cycle, despite this, these ecosystems are vulnerable due to human intervention and the expansion of the agricultural frontier affecting aquatic fauna and water quality. The methodology was developed in three phases: in the first phase 6 sampling points were established in each bofedal, for the collection of macroinvertebrates a "D-net" hand net was used, performing two repetitions in each sampling point. A total of 448 specimens distributed in 16 families were recorded. In the second phase, the 9 physical-chemical parameters were measured according to the water quality index (ICA) in situ and later in the laboratory, the parameters did not exceed the permissible limits of the Single Text of Secondary Environmental Legislation (TULSMA) which it is indispensable for the survival of macroinvertebrates. The third phase, reflected the evaluation of water quality through the ABI biological index, which due to its adaptation to high Andean zones presented a good quality assessment for both bofedales. It is concluded that Bofedal 2 (750287,14; 9849373,07) comparatively has better characteristics such as: good water quality through the ABI index (Andean Biological Index), and high diversity according to the evaluation of Simpson and Shannon diversity indices, in general, the water quality of the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve in the Pucará community, Pilahuín parish based on the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates found in the two bofedales is acceptable. Key words: BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES - QUALITY BIO INDICATORS - WATER QUALITY - BOFEDALES.