Macroinvertebrate diversity in relation to limnochemistry in an Austral semi-arid transboundary aquifer region pan system

Fannie M Masina; Ryan J Wasserman; Naicheng Wu; Chipo P Mungenge; Farai Dondofema; Chad Keates; Purvance Shikwambana; Tatenda Dalu

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163161

Macroinvertebrate diversity in relation to limnochemistry in an Austral semi-arid transboundary aquifer region pan system

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Jun 20:878:163161. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163161. Epub 2023 Mar 31.

Authors

Fannie M Masina¹, Ryan J Wasserman², Naicheng Wu³, Chipo P Mungenge⁴, Farai Dondofema⁵, Chad Keates⁶, Purvance Shikwambana¹, Tatenda Dalu⁷

Affiliations

¹ Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
² Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa.
³ Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
⁴ Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa.
⁵ Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
⁶ South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa.
⁷ Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa. Electronic address: dalutatenda@yahoo.co.uk.

PMID: 37004768
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163161

Abstract

Pan-wetland systems are one of the world's essential and productive ecosystems and are considered important, unique and complex ecosystems. Anthropogenic activities around the temporary pans in the Khakhea Bray Transboundary Aquifer region are increasingly becoming a big issue of concern as this may affect pan biodiversity. The study specifically aimed to investigate spatial and temporal distributions of metal and nutrient concentrations within the pans in relation to land use, identify potential pollution sources in this water-scarce region, and assess macroinvertebrate diversity and distribution in relation to pan limnochemistry using a combination of multivariate analyses from 10 pans across three seasons. Environmental and anthropogenic variables influence water quality and the distribution of metals concentration in Khakhea-Bray pan systems. Anthropogenic activities such as animal grazing, infrastructure degradation, water withdrawal and littering have resulted in poor water quality within temporary pans, which may strongly influence macroinvertebrate diversity and distribution. Forty-one macroinvertebrate species from 5 insect orders (i.e., Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Diptera), Crustacea and Mollusca were identified. Significant differences were observed across the seasons for macroinvertebrate taxa, with high and low species richness being observed in autumn and winter, respectively. Water (i.e., temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, conductivity), physical (i.e., stone composition) and sediment (i.e., sulphur, sodium) parameters were found to have a significant impact on the macroinvertebrate communities. Therefore, understanding the relationships between macroinvertebrates and their environment is crucial in understanding how the ecosystem taxa are structured and is vital for informing conservation managers on how to properly manage and protect these systems from further degradation.

Keywords: Human activities; Khakhea–Bray; Macroinvertebrates; Temporary pans; Water quality; pan wetlands.

MeSH terms

Animals
Biodiversity
Ecosystem*
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Invertebrates*
Water Quality