Spatial Variations in the Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in Tropical Rivers

Functional feeding group (FFG) is an approach that classifies macroinvertebrates based on their utilization of organic matter food resources. Across streams and rivers, variations in the distribution FFGs reflect unequal resources, which are affected by varying environmental conditions disturbances to ecosystem. In tropics, does not follow pattern observed temperate streams. This study aims (1) determine present selected Philippine tropical streams, (2) assess FFG distributions how vary across space, (3) evaluate certain factors habitat structure. Benthic were collected 2010 from five sites assigned primary published literature. sites, classified into gathering collectors (total n = 4,640), scrapers (n 1,670), filtering 1,545), predators 632), shredders 270). Within between these varied significantly. Variations explained upstream-downstream north-south mean abundance width depth stream, discharge, temperature, pH, riparian vegetation, stability variability. reveals a useful bioassessment tool aquatic systems. However, there still need for verification findings other seasons.