Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe
Knowledge of functional feeding groups (FFGs) is key in understanding energy flow and matter transfer in lotic systems. The River Continuum Concept (RCC) model attempts to capture this flow by looking at the distribution of FFGs. The FFGs approach is informative because it allows assessment of the...
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2022
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| Online Access: | https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5317 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338690230_Longitudinal_distribution_of_the_functional_feeding_groups_FFGs_of_aquatic_macroinvertebrates_and_ecosystem_integrity_of_Tokwe_River_Zimbabwe |
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| author | Caston Makaka Tinashe Muteveri Paul Makoni Crispen Phiri Trevor Dube |
| author2 | Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe |
| author_facet | Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe Caston Makaka Tinashe Muteveri Paul Makoni Crispen Phiri Trevor Dube |
| author_sort | Caston Makaka |
| collection | DSpace |
| description | Knowledge of functional feeding groups (FFGs) is key in understanding energy flow and matter transfer in lotic
systems. The River Continuum Concept (RCC) model attempts to capture this flow by looking at the distribution
of FFGs. The FFGs approach is informative because it allows assessment of the degree to which invertebrates in
streams are dependent upon particular nutritional resource/s. We assessed the ecosystem integrity of Tokwe
River, Zimbabwe, and whether it conforms to the RCC by analyzing macroinvertebrates from three zones along
the river. A total of 2 172 specimens belonging to five feeding groups (FFGs) were collected. Filters were the
dominant group in all zones with proportions of 37.7%, 53.1%, and 53.2% in the upstream, inundated and
downstream zones, respectively. Predators (33.9% upstream) and collector-gatherers (25.9% inundated, 32.9%
downstream) were second in frequency. Shredders were the least represented in all zones (< 3.1%). The highest
proportion of filters (53.1%) and shredders (3.1%) occurred in inundated zones. Predator population was
generally but insignificantly correlated to prey (p > 0.05). Scraper’s contribution was significantly lower in the
inundated than in other environments (p < 0.05). All zones were strongly heterotrophic, non-performing and
overburdened with predators although channel stability was high, hence high proportion of filters. The study
showed that the distribution of FFG was not in conformity to the RCC but had tenants of Hierarchical Patch
Distribution model which was modified by elements of the Flood Pulse model, and that ecosystem integrity and
health are highly compromised by anthropogenic activities |
| format | research article |
| id | ir-11408-5317 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publisher | International Network for Natural Sciences (INNSpub) |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ir-11408-53172022-12-20T10:41:56Z Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe Caston Makaka Tinashe Muteveri Paul Makoni Crispen Phiri Trevor Dube Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe Department of Research, National University of Science and Technology, Ascot Bulawayo, Zimbabwe School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi Zimbabwe Department of Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe Functional feeding group Autotrophic Heterotrophic Lotic environment Filter feeding Knowledge of functional feeding groups (FFGs) is key in understanding energy flow and matter transfer in lotic systems. The River Continuum Concept (RCC) model attempts to capture this flow by looking at the distribution of FFGs. The FFGs approach is informative because it allows assessment of the degree to which invertebrates in streams are dependent upon particular nutritional resource/s. We assessed the ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe, and whether it conforms to the RCC by analyzing macroinvertebrates from three zones along the river. A total of 2 172 specimens belonging to five feeding groups (FFGs) were collected. Filters were the dominant group in all zones with proportions of 37.7%, 53.1%, and 53.2% in the upstream, inundated and downstream zones, respectively. Predators (33.9% upstream) and collector-gatherers (25.9% inundated, 32.9% downstream) were second in frequency. Shredders were the least represented in all zones (< 3.1%). The highest proportion of filters (53.1%) and shredders (3.1%) occurred in inundated zones. Predator population was generally but insignificantly correlated to prey (p > 0.05). Scraper’s contribution was significantly lower in the inundated than in other environments (p < 0.05). All zones were strongly heterotrophic, non-performing and overburdened with predators although channel stability was high, hence high proportion of filters. The study showed that the distribution of FFG was not in conformity to the RCC but had tenants of Hierarchical Patch Distribution model which was modified by elements of the Flood Pulse model, and that ecosystem integrity and health are highly compromised by anthropogenic activities 13 1 16 33 2022-12-20T10:41:56Z 2022-12-20T10:41:56Z 2018-07-27 research article https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5317 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338690230_Longitudinal_distribution_of_the_functional_feeding_groups_FFGs_of_aquatic_macroinvertebrates_and_ecosystem_integrity_of_Tokwe_River_Zimbabwe en Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences 2222-3045 open International Network for Natural Sciences (INNSpub) |
| spellingShingle | Functional feeding group Autotrophic Heterotrophic Lotic environment Filter feeding Caston Makaka Tinashe Muteveri Paul Makoni Crispen Phiri Trevor Dube Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title | Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of Tokwe River, Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | longitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups (ffgs) of aquatic macroinvertebrates and ecosystem integrity of tokwe river, zimbabwe |
| topic | Functional feeding group Autotrophic Heterotrophic Lotic environment Filter feeding |
| url | https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5317 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338690230_Longitudinal_distribution_of_the_functional_feeding_groups_FFGs_of_aquatic_macroinvertebrates_and_ecosystem_integrity_of_Tokwe_River_Zimbabwe |
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