Valoración de la importancia ecológica de macroinvertebrados acuáticos en cuatro contribuyentes alto andinos de la Provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the ecological importance of four High Andean taxpayers of the Province of Chimborazo. For this, a methodology was used that included field, laboratory, qualitative, quantitative and experimental research due to the type of data to be analyzed, where a total of 48 monitoring points were determined, three points for each of the following: Quebrada Guayllabamba, El Carmen, Cachipata located in the Chambo canton and the Patulú located in the Guano canton. The samplings were carried out in the periods of November 2022 - April 2023; in addition, ecological and quality indices were used, such as biodiversity and abundance indices (Shannon-Simpson), Water Quality Index (ICA), ecological indices (Bosque de Andean Bank (QBR), Fluvial Habitat Index (IHF) and the Andean Biotic Index (ABI)). Programs such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Google Earth, and GPS were managed. The result of the investigation is that the Shannon index presents an average of (2.29), meaning it has a medium diversity of species. The Simpson index with an average of (0.84) presents a high diversity. Also, in the Guayllababa stream, El Carmen and Cachipata have Good water quality. At the same time, Patulú presents a Regular quality due to the anthropic activities in these areas. The study of benthic macroinvertebrates recorded a total of 3850 species distributed in 14 orders and 33 families. It is concluded that a great diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrate species was found, highlighting the presence mainly of the families belonging to the order Trichoptera and Coleoptera and recommending further studies on the taxonomy of benthic macroinvertebrates for the Andean Biotic Index (IBA).