Biodiversity patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrates in tropical forests streams as a response to logging activities and deforestation

Abstract

The biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in virgin (VJR) and logged over forest (LO) streams in Perak Integrated Timber Concession (PITC), Temenggor Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia was investigated. A total of 2048 individuals from VJR streams were collected (40.2individual/m2) compared to 1392 individuals (19.9/m2) recorded from streams in the logged forests (LO). Alpha and gamma diversity measures of the VJR streams were higher compared to LO streams. The beta diversity index value in the VJR (2.21) streams was higher compared to the LO streams (1.17). The correlation between similarity matrices (Sorensen' distance coefficient) of macroinvertebrates data sets from VJR and LO streams was significant (r=0.836, P<0.05). The species indicator analysis identified few significant indicator species for the VJR streams such as Ctenipocoris sp. (Naucoridae), Cryptoperla sp. (Peltoperlidae) and Diplectrona sp. (Hydropsychidae). In conclusion, the VJR streams of Temenggor Forest Reserve supported relatively diverse aquatic macroinvertebrates. The logging activities and deforestation in the investigated areas were determinant factors justifying the reduction in macroinvertebrates abundance and loss of biodiversity in the forest streams.