Abstract
This study focuses on the biodiversity of macroinvertebrates of the Affon River. To reach this goal, eight stations were sampled and physical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, transparency, depth, total dissolved solids (TDS) and dissolved oxygen were measured. Chemical parameters such as ammonium nitrite and phosphate were measured in the laboratory. We identified 9755 macroinvertebrates belonging to 4 classes, 14 orders, and 49 families. Chironomidae were the most abundant family whereas other sensitive insect’s orders such as Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera were rarely found, suggesting a poor water quality of the Affon River. The principal components analysis yielded three groups of stations: the first group (Teneka 2 and 3) characterized by high values of ammonium and phosphate and low values of conductivity and TDS; the second group (Taneka 1 and Kolokonde 1) with low values of pH, transparency, ammonium and phosphate; and the third group of stations (Kolokonde 2, Kpebouko1, Kpebouko 2, and Affon) marked by high values of conductivity, TDS, transparency, depth and temperature. This study is a crucial step for any management and monitoring of the Affon River.
Highlights
IntroductionThese ecosystems are severely degraded from the effects of urbanization, industrialization and agricultural intensification
Rivers are among the most complex and dynamic ecosystems [1]
As for the conductivity and the total dissolved solids (TDS), they presented the same trend with average values that increased overall from upstream to downstream
Summary
These ecosystems are severely degraded from the effects of urbanization, industrialization and agricultural intensification. In Benin, the structure, diversity, composition and faunal characteristics of macroinvertebrates have been analyzed in various ecosystems [5] [7]-[12], but knowledge on freshwater biodiversity in this country remains very scarce. These studies highlighted important biodiversity of macroinvertebrates of certain groups such as Diptera, Gastropods, Oligochaetes and Coleoptera in Benin freshwaters. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the macroinvertebrate fauna in Benin and the environmental factors explaining their distribution, we studied the diversity and distribution of macroinvertebrates and the water quality of the Affon River
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
