Features of structural changes in communities of aquatic macroinvertebrates in low-mountain watercourses of Altai under the influence of residential areas

Abstract

The features of the structural characteristics of benthic communities were analyzed in five low-mountain watercourses of Altai in the areas located upstream and downstream populated areas. In some watercourses, a decrease of the frequency of occurrence of the most sensitive species, of the species richness of EPT taxa, and of the Shannon diversity index was noted in areas located downstream of populated areas compared to those upstream. A deterioration in the water quality of the Saidys River downstream the Sredniy Saidys village (down to the class of “moderately polluted”) and that of the Ulaushka River within the city of Gorno-Altaisk (down to the class of “polluted”) was revealed. It is recommended to use the EPT and BMWP indices to assess the ecological state of lowmountain watercourses of Altai based on macroinvertebrates.

Keywords

• zoobenthos
• small rivers
• urbanization
• taxonomic diversity
• water quality