Abstract

SALAZAR-CASTELLANOS, Danae; MEZA-SALAZAR, Ana María  and  GUEVARA, Giovany. Macroinvertebrate and leaf mass loss of Eucalyptus sp. and Tibouchina lepidota in an Andean headwater stream with mining influence (Manizales, Colombia). Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2020, vol.44, n.171, pp.593-605.  Epub June 14, 2021. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1059.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the colonization of macroinvertebrates and the dry mass loss percentage of Eucalyptus sp. and Tibouchina lepidota leaves in a headwater stream with mining impact located in the upper part of the Chinchiná River basin (Manizales, Colombia). Two sampling areas were selected: One recognized as a reference zone with no evidence of anthropogenic impacts and another with the influence of gold mining activities. We used 192 bags containing 5 g of senescent leaves of the selected species and a mixture (1:1) and we extracted four replicates per sampling point at predetermined times (+3, 7, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days). We collected 18,070 individuals belonging to 8 orders, 24 families, and 34 genera. In the reference area, we registered a greater richness, density, and diversity of macroinvertebrates. The results of this study will contribute to the knowledge of the dynamics of the colonization of aquatic macroinvertebrates and their role in the decomposition of leaves of exotic and native species in Colombian high Andean micro-catchments.

Keywords : Aquatic macroinvertebrates; Colonization; Decomposition; Eucalyptus sp.; Tibouchina lepidota.

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