Influence of water quality on benthic macroinvertebrates in a groundwater-dependent wetland

Benthic invertebrates communities are frequently used as indicators of aquatic ecosystem health since many species sensitive to pollution and abrupt changes in their environment. Limited knowledge exists on the interlinkages hydrological dynamics, water quality ecological character groundwater-dependant ecosystems especially developing countries. In this study we assessed sensitivity benthic macroinvertebrates dynamics Barotse Floodplain, a wetland. were sampled dry season using kick-net method at selected points upstream, mid-stream downstream. The selection was based an initially conducted survey that characterized wetland into mainly two types, NaHCO 3 (upstream) CaMgHCO (downstream). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) investigate influence macroinvertebrate subclass-taxa level. Furthermore, factor analysis derive processes propagating observed variability. It established composition diversity macroinverbrate level influenced by effects flood pulse, salinity (mineralisation) from groundwater input biogeochemical during expansion contraction floodplain-river exchange. This has demonstrated biomonitoring effective capturing natural processes/regimes environmental (such flooding) thus potential be for mointoring extreme phenomenon such climate change. is recommended that, families, genus taxonomic levels needed improve understanding responses detection specific contamination signatures, ensure conservation protection. Integrated resources management wetlands should incorporate conjuctively with traditional methods vital not compromised expense maximizing economic social welfare humanity.