Disturbed Wetlands Research Articles

Livestock production systems in wetlands of Argentina: assessing transition toward sustainable agroecological systems-

ABSTRACT The magnitude of the current environmental degradation requires an urgent restructuring of food production systems. In this sense, agroecology is considered a sustainable approach, because it provides tools to guide transition toward sustainable production systems and to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Nevertheless, it is imperative to possess evidence regarding the implementation of agroecology and current extent. The goals of this study are to compare two instruments for assessing agroecological transitions, to measure the agroecological performance of extensive livestock systems in slightly disturbed wetlands, identify agroecological elements that differentiate farm categories, and identify relationships among these elements. We evaluated 19 representative extensive livestock production ranches from central-western Argentina. We used the Characterization of Agroecological Transition (CAET) from the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE). Moreover, CAET was modified through interaction with ranchers and technicians (Adapted CAET). The results obtained with both tools revealed that the agroecological performance of extensive livestock systems is currently in transition, with an overall average of 56.9%. This suggests that there is a group of farmers implementing agroecological strategies which have the potential to drive the transition to achieve the SDGs. This research provides valuable knowledge for applying agroecology principles in minimally impacted wetlands.

Disturbance alters soil organic carbon content and stability in Carex tussock wetland, Northeast China

With the intensification of climate change and human activities, wetland ecosystem and their carbon pool function have been seriously compromised. To determine the soil organic carbon pool composition and stability response to wetland disturbance, three disturbed (grazing, mowing, invasion) and two undisturbed Carex tussock wetlands were investigated in Momoge Wetland, northeast China. The results showed that the disturbance significantly reduced the soil organic carbon content under hummock, but effectively promoted organic carbon storage in surface soil in hummock interspace. In disturbed wetlands, relative abundance of aromatic-C, asymmetric aliphatic-C, polysaccharide-C and clay minerals, and organic carbon stability significantly declined. Furthermore, asymmetric aliphatic-C and polysaccharide-C were the most important organic carbon chemical components affecting SOC stability under hummock and in hummock interspace. Disturbance facilitated the effects of pH, TP and minerals on organic carbon stability, with pH being the most important. These findings improved our understanding of the composition and stability of carbon pools in disturbed wetlands.

Modelling the spatiotemporal dynamics of blue carbon stocks in tidal marsh under Spartina alterniflora invasion

Spatial quantification of blue carbon ecosystem stocks is crucial for developing policies to mitigate climate change, especially in regions experiencing ongoing wetland disturbance from biological invasions. We integrated multiple machine learning models with the space-for-time substitution method to quantify the spatiotemporal impact of Spartina alterniflora invasion on tidal marsh sediment blue carbon (soil organic carbon – 'SOC') stocks at 100 cm depth in the Yangtze Estuary. Our results show that the invasive S. alterniflora contributed more than half of the total SOC stocks (2,056 ± 379 Gg C, 1 Gg = 106 kg) in the 27,600 ha tidal marshes of the Yangtze Estuary, which were estimated to be 1,107 ± 176 Gg C. S. alterniflora increased the SOC stocks in the Yangtze Estuary within the first 15 years, but this gain was not sustained in the long term, with a gradual decline (by 13.14 Mg C/ha) observed after 15 years of S. alterniflora growth. We found that sediment salinity, tidal range, and human accessibility were strong indicators for modeling and predicting SOC stocks, with Random Forest providing the best simulation of tidal marsh SOC stocks (R2 = 0.894, RMSE=7.646 Mg C/ha, and MAPE=9.469 %). Our study provides much needed information on blue carbon stocks in the Yangtze Estuary under biological invasion stress, and offers guidance for targeted S. alterniflora management actions in the future.

Effects of water level on soil seed bank in the floodplain wetland of Juzhang River, China

Aiming to understand the responses of soil seed bank to different water levels, we investigated vegetation and soil seed bank along a water level gradient (frequently flooded area, unflooded area) on the floodplain wetland of Juzhang River. We used the structural equation model to explore the direct and indirect effects of water level on soil seed bank, and used non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to assess the role of soil seed bank for vegetation regeneration. The results showed that the density of transient and persistent seed banks at unflooded area was 36.9% and 7.8% higher than that of frequently flooded area, respectively. Shannon index and Pielou index of seed bank and vegetation were significantly affected by water level and sampling location. Water level significantly affected the similarity between seed bank and aboveground vegetation, and the similarity of persistent seed bank with aboveground vegetation was significantly higher than that with transient seed bank. Structural equation model showed that water level had a direct effect on seed bank density, and indirect effects on density and richness of seed bank via affecting soil pH and NH4+-N content. NMDS results showed that there was no significant difference in the composition of the persistent seed bank and vegetation community in autumn under different water levels, but water level significantly changed the community composition of transient seed bank. Transient seed bank was affected by the vegetation and soil property, while persistent seed bank was determined by aboveground vegetation and water level. Although soil seed bank had low regeneration potential for the vegetation communities in floodplain wetlands, soil seed bank could not be neglected during the restoration of propagule diversity after disturbance in wetlands. Persistent seed bank would be an importance source of diversity of propagules for floodplain wetlands restoration following disturbance.

Assessing effects of landscape modifications and identifying priority areas for two Asian otters in coastal wetlands

Conserving species inhabiting areas overlapped with human settlements is more challenging than usual as anthropogenic impacts need to be accounted for when management plans are formulated. This study aims to identify conservation priority areas for two otter species and evaluate the impact of land-use changes on conservation management in the coastal wetlands of southern Thailand. We conducted camera-trap surveys across 283 grids of 25 km2 each between 2016 and 2020. A single-species occupancy model was applied to estimate the occupancy probability of two otter species in relation to landscape characteristics and human factors. Occupancy probabilities were then correlated with anthropogenic threat levels obtained from Bayesian Belief Network to identify conservation management hotspots and conservation importance areas under various scenarios. The Smooth-coated Otter shows a higher occupancy probability in the Andaman, where a larger proportion of less disturbed wetlands remains compared to the Gulf. The Small-clawed Otter, in contrast, has higher occupancy in the Gulf. In the Andaman, the Smooth-coated Otter appears to occupy areas associated with lower human impacts and a higher proportion of natural habitats, while in the Gulf, both otter species have higher occupancy in areas where modifications of natural habitats are more intensive. In total, 1350 km2 were identified as very high conservation management hotspots, with an additional 750 km2 identified as very high conservation importance. The majority of these areas were located along the Andaman coast. However, land-use changes expanded the management hotspot areas to 2025 km2 while reducing conservation importance areas to just 175 km2. Our results emphasize the importance of protecting natural habitats and the urgency of implementing management interventions for otters on the Andaman coast, for the long-term survival of these threatened species.

Simulation and analysis of red-crowned crane habitat suitability using maximum entropy and information entropy models

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a rare waterfowl species that is sensitive to environmental changes in its habitat selection; as such it effectively reflects the variation in wetland landscapes. Therefore, analysis of the habitat suitability for the red-crowned crane can be used to determine the species requirements and to predict its potential habitat distribution, thereby providing a basis for the protection of wetlands and endangered species. In this study, the Landsat satellite remote sensing data of Zhalong Wetland from 1996 to 2019 were used to simulate the nest coordinates of red-crowned cranes using a binary logistic model and to simulate the distribution of suitable habitat via a maximum entropy model. Moreover, an information entropy model was used to examine the yearly changes in habitat suitability and the underlying mechanisms and influencing factors. These two entropy models were combined to simulate the habitat suitability distribution and variation with high accuracy, determine the contribution rates of influencing factors, and provide data for analyzing interannual changes. The following results were obtained. First, the habitat suitability was highest in the center, core area and decreased towards the periphery of Zhalong Wetland. Second, the habitat suitability increased in some regions in the south, decreased in some areas in the north, and remained unchanged in the majority of the peripheral regions. Third, habitat suitability was primarily impacted by landscape patterns, distances to rivers and ditches, and vegetation. Red-crowned cranes preferred to reside far from human disturbance in wetlands near rivers with reeds (Phragmites australis) as the dominant species.

Editorial: Disturbance, resilience, and restoration of wetlands

Editorial: Disturbance, resilience, and restoration of wetlands

Hot spots of methane emission in West Siberian middle taiga wetlands disturbed by petroleum extraction activities

Hot spots of methane emission in West Siberian middle taiga wetlands disturbed by petroleum extraction activities

Buffering effects of the soil seed bank on annual plant community composition after wetland drying

AbstractSubalpine peat wetlands are extremely sensitive to global environmental changes and anthropogenic disturbances. Unlike most other biological groups, plant species can possess dormant life‐history stages such as the soil seed bank (SSB), which may help plant communities to resist or at least postpone the detrimental impact of disturbance. This study investigates the potential for SSB to achieve this along a soil moisture gradient. Species richness and density of SSB were significantly lower by 31.9% and 47.2% in wetland, and 35.1% and 68.1% in swamp meadow in comparison with steppe meadow, respectively. Soil moisture content did not directly affect the density and species richness of SSB, whilst had indirect effects on density and species richness via affecting vegetation and soil pH. SSB composition was less responsive to soil moisture changes than plant community composition. Furthermore, compositional trends in the annual plant SSB were weaker than in the aboveground vegetation along the soil moisture gradient. The similarity between SSB and vegetation significantly declined with increasing soil moisture content. High SSB diversity and compositional similarity between the vegetation and SSB may provide a potentially important functional buffer against the impact of ongoing moisture changes on plant communities in wetlands. Dormant life‐history stages can therefore be important sources of diversity in changing environments. Furthermore, although SSB has low regeneration potential for the aboveground vegetation communities in subalpine peat wetlands, the SSB would still not be a neglected factor for the restoration of propagule diversity after disturbance in wetlands if hydrology is restored.

Comparison of taxonomic and size-based approaches to determine the effects of environment and disturbance on invertebrate communities in coastal Chile

• Disturbance from land use change and tsunamis impact Chilean invertebrates. • Aquatic and terrestrial communities respond differently to wetland disturbance. • Coastal wetland invertebrate communities vary with latitudinal gradients. • Disturbance impacts on size vary according to salinity. • Taxonomic diversity and size-based metrics detect different disturbance impacts. The frequency and intensity of extreme events in coastal wetlands is increasing due to climate change. These, in combination with other threats such as habitat loss, can have strong effects on the biodiversity and ecosystem services of coastal wetland ecosystems. Here we examined how traditional (community composition and taxonomic diversity) and alternative indices based on body size (size diversity and the slope of size spectra) respond to single and combined effects of anthropogenic disturbances, extreme event disturbances, and key environmental drivers, for both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates in Mediterranean coastal wetlands in Chile. We studied 18 coastal wetlands over more than 500 km along the Chilean coast. We applied both univariate (GLMMs and GAMMs) and multivariate statistics (RDA and variation partitioning) to identify additive and non-additive effects on invertebrates. We also examined latitudinal trends, and tested the potential of alternative metrics to detect interactions between disturbances. We found latitude-specific vulnerability to disturbances in Chilean coastal wetlands. Non-additive effects were more important for aquatic invertebrates, while additive effects were more important for terrestrial invertebrates. In many cases, disturbance effects depended on the environmental conditions of study sites, especially salinity. This study suggests that size-based metrics may be better than taxonomic metrics at detecting interactions among different disturbances, especially for aquatic invertebrates.

Community diversity of soil meso-fauna indicates the impacts of oil exploitation on wetlands

Soil meso-fauna can indicate ecological health and provide biotic metrics for evaluating ecosystem damage and environmental changes. However, the roles of the soil meso-fauna in wetlands affected by oil exploitation have rarely been studied. This study investigated the community of the soil meso-fauna and the soil environmental quality in the oil exploitation area (oil well area, transitional area, and natural area) of the Momoge wetland, China. The results revealed that the oil pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) in the oil exploitation area mainly contained 2–3 rings soil PAHs. Oil exploitation mainly affected the soil meso-faunal community by changing the soil environment and vegetation characteristics. The abundance and richness of the soil meso-fauna were negatively affected by oil exploitation, and the richness responded more sensitively than the abundance. The diversity and taxa composition of the soil meso-fauna can be used to indicate the impacts of oil exploitation on wetland ecosystems and assess the ecological health of wetlands. The terrestrial taxa of the soil meso-fauna in wetlands (Coccoidea, Carabidae larvae, Hydrophilidae larvae, and Aphididae) could tolerate the oil pollutants and intense exploitation disturbance, indicating a highly disturbed wetland ecosystem. The aquatic (Chironomidae) and terrestrial taxon (Tenebrionoidea) indicated an intermediately disturbed wetland ecosystem. The aquatic (Enchytraeidae and Tabanidae) and non-aquatic taxa (Lposcelididae, Oecobiidae, and Tenthredinidae) indicated an undisturbed natural wetland ecosystem. The results of this study provide promising opportunities for oil production management and conservation efforts for wetland resources and biodiversity.

ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF ECOHYDROLOGICAL INTERVENTION ON THE WETLANDS ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN SHORE OF LAKE TANA, ETHIOPIA

Lake Tana watershed wetlands have critical functions of nutrient and sediment retention, biodiversity and hydrological functions. Although ecohydrological solutions have been proposed, a comprehensive study on the impacts of ecohydrology intervention in relation to biological aspects is limited. Information regarding the ecological impacts of ecohydrology based intervention approach in the wetland ecosystem plays an indispensable role in increasing biodiversity and improves water quality. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of ecohydrological intervention in relation to macrophytes, phytoplankton and zooplankton of the wetlands in Lake Tana shore. Quantitative characteristics of macrophytes and plankton sampling were conducted using transect and quadrat method along vegetation and water depth gradients. The biological data were measured on each fixed sampling point. Macrophytes, phytoplankton and zooplankton were significantly different (p<0.05) across the sampling sites. Low disturbed wetland supports higher abundance and diversity of macrophytes, phytoplankton and zooplankton than moderately and highly disturbed wetlands. Overall results of the study confirmed that biological abundance and diversity were associated with the level of disturbance of wetlands. Therefore, emphasis should be given to the factors which may lead to the degradation of wetland resources within and its catchment. Immediate ecohydrology based intervention approaches should be implemented to conserve and minimize further degradation of wetlands along the shore of Lake Tana.

A rapid method to assess salt marsh condition and guide management decisions

Salt marshes are increasingly vulnerable to degradation and loss from accelerating sea-level rise and other pervasive disturbances, spurring a need for broad, science-based information to guide management. The Salt Marsh Rapid Assessment Method, MarshRAM, was designed to address this need by documenting information characterizing salt marsh type, setting, ecological value, disturbance, integrity, and opportunity for landward migration at the site scale. We used the method to collect information from onsite and remote observations of thirty-one (31) salt marshes in Rhode Island, USA. MarshRAM's Wetland Disturbance Index is a checklist that ranks the intensity of individual and cumulative human disturbances, while the Index of Marsh Integrity (IMI) is generated using a novel walking-transect approach to rapidly characterize site-wide vegetation-community composition. The IMI was designed to reflect ecological response to direct disturbances and inundation stress, and our finding that IMI strongly correlates with cumulative disturbance + marsh platform elevation indicates it works as intended. A strong correlation between IMI components and historic marsh loss suggests that salt marsh community cover can also serve as an indicator of salt marsh resilience. Our study marshes diverge from accounts of historic New England salt marsh conditions in that meadow high marsh species no longer dominate the high marsh zone, Spartina alterniflora is now the dominant high marsh species, and severe edge erosion and invasion by Phragmites australis are ubiquitous. We demonstrate how MarshRAM data can be analyzed to inform restoration and conservation strategies and policy decision-making. For example, our findings suggest that inundation stress is strongly impacting marsh platform integrity, high-marsh vegetation loss is a strong indicator of degradation and vulnerability, and unassisted landward marsh migration may already be promoting resilience to inundation stress. We suggest adapting MarshRAM to meet the management needs of other regions or broader applications.

Responses of Above- and Belowground Carbon Stocks to Degraded and Recovering Wetlands in the Yellow River Delta

Wetlands reserve a large amount of organic carbon (C), playing a key role in contributing global C stocks. It is still uncertain to evaluate wetland C stocks due to wetland disturbance or degradation. In this study, we performed the degraded and recovering wetlands to estimate aboveground C stocks and soil organic C (SOC) stocks at the depth of 1 m in the Yellow River Delta. Our results showed that the recovering wetland sequestered 1.67 Mg C ha–1 aboveground, approximately three times higher than those (0.56 Mg C ha–1) of degraded wetland, and recovering wetland stored more SOC of 51.86 Mg C ha–1 in the top 1 m soils, approximately two times higher than those (26.94 Mg C ha–1) of degraded wetland. These findings indicate that the transformation between degraded and recovering wetlands is associated with the conversion of wetland C sources and sinks. The shifts in aboveground C stocks and SOC stocks were mainly attributed to changed biotic (i.e., aboveground biomass and photosynthetic C) and abiotic (i.e., soil water, salinity, SOC and N contents, and SOC compounds) factors. The improved soil water, salinity, and nutrient enhance C reservoir, sequestering more C in aboveground vegetation and storing more SOC via photosynthetic C input of plant litter and root exudates in recovering wetland than in degraded wetland with poor soil conditions. The relationships among wetland C stocks, plant, and soil properties indicate plant-soil interaction driving wetland ecosystem C stocks in degraded and recovering wetlands. Our research suggests that wetland restoration highlights a positive response to “carbon neutrality” by efficiently sequestering C above- and belowground.

Response of Calamagrostis angustifolia to burn frequency and seasonality in the Sanjiang Plain wetlands (Northeast China)

Fire is an important disturbance in many wetlands, which are key carbon reservoirs at both regional and global scales. However, the effects of fire on wetland vegetation biomass and plant carbon dynamics are poorly understood. We carried out a burn experiment in a Calamagrostis angustifolia wetland in Sanjiang Plain (Northeast China), which is widespread wetland type in China and frequently exposed to fire. Using a series of replicated experimental annual burns over a three-year period (spring and autumn burns carried out one, two or three times over three consecutive years), together with a control unburned treatment, we assessed the effect of burn seasonality and frequency on aboveground biomass, stem density, and carbon content of aboveground plant parts and ground litter. We found that burning promoted plant growth and hence plant biomass in burned sites compared to the unburned control, with this effect being greatest after three consecutive burn years. Autumn burns promoted higher stem density and more total aboveground biomass than spring burns after three consecutive burn years. Burning increased stem density significantly, especially in twice and thrice burned plots, with stem densities in September over 2000 N/m2, which was much higher than in the control plots (987 ± 190 N/m2). Autumn burns had a larger effect than spring burns on total plant biomass and litter accumulated (e.g. 1236 ± 295 g/m2 after thrice autumn burns compared 796.2 ± 66.6 g/m2 after thrice spring burns), except after two burn treatments. With time since burning, total biomass loads increased in spring-burned plots, while autumn-burned plots showed the opposite trend, declining towards values found at unburned plots in year three. Our results suggest that, at short fire return intervals, autumn burns lead to a more pronounced increase in aboveground biomass and carbon accumulation than spring burns; however, the effects of spring burns on biomass and carbon accumulation are longer lasting than those observed for autumn burns.

A U.S.‐China EcoPartnership study of disturbed wetland vegetation in West Dongting Lake, China

AbstractWest Dongting Lake in China is important for human livelihoods and habitat of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. The waterway re‐engineering and agriculture intensification have contributed to changes in hydrology, sediment, and vegetation on the floodplain. This paper describes an EcoPartnership program conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, and Beijing Forestry University. It focused on the development of a wetland ecosystem network in West Dongting Lake with technical support from the U.S. partner using a number of related studies to examine wetland vegetation dynamics from upstream to downstream along the tributaries. The results of U.S. studies showed that the regeneration potential of species might be altered by changes in climate and local environment, and seed bank depletion by germination may be a major conservation threat in a future with recurring droughts in swamps of the southeastern United States. In the monsoonal wetlands of West Dongting Lake, the soil seed bank could be used as a seed source for revegetation after hydrologic restoration with the introduction of certain foundational species and the removal of poplar plantations. Also, West Dongting Lake is at high ecological risk of mercury pollution. Wetland ecosystem monitoring may allow managers to use the information to predict effects of climate change, water level and flow changes on sedimentation, and to manage for desired vegetation to support waterfowl and ecosystem services. The cooperation of two countries through the EcoPartnership program is now well established and poised for extensive research projects in the future.

Shrub changes with proximity to anthropogenic disturbance in boreal wetlands determined using bi-temporal airborne lidar in the Oil Sands Region, Alberta Canada.

In this study, we used bi-temporal airborne lidar data to compare changes in vegetation height proximal to anthropogenic disturbances in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada. We hypothesize that relatively low-impact disturbances such as seismic lines will increase the fragmentation of wetlands, resulting in shrub growth. Bi-temporal lidar data collected circa 2008 and 2018 were used to identify correspondence between the density of anthropogenic disturbances, wetland shape complexity and changes in vegetation height within >1800 wetlands near Fort McKay, Alberta, Canada. We found that up to 50% of wetlands were disturbed by anthropogenic disturbance in some parts of the region, with the highest proportional disturbance occurring within fens. Areas of dense anthropogenic disturbance in bogs resulted in increased growth and expansion of shrubs, while we found the opposite to occur in fens and swamps during the 10-year period. Up to 30% of bogs had increased shrubification, while shrub changes in fens and swamps varied depending on density of disturbance and did not necessarily correspond with shrub growth. As wetland shapes became increasingly elongated, the prevalence of shrubs declined between the two time periods, which may be associated with hydrological drivers (e.g. elongated may indicate surface and ground-water discharge influences). The results of this study indicate that linear disturbances such as seismic lines, considered to have relatively minimal impacts on ecosystems, can impact proximal wetland shape, fragmentation and vegetation community changes, especially in bogs.

Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in disturbed Carex tussock wetland

Disturbance affects the ecological structure and function of wetland ecosystems by altering plant and soil properties. To identify the response of soil carbon and nitrogen to wetland disturbance, this study was conducted in three disturbed and two reference Carex tussock wetlands in Momoge National Natural Reserve, China. The content and stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were determined to investigate the effects of disturbance on their spatial distribution. Generally, SOC and TN content and stocks gradually decreased with increasing soil depth except for in reference tussock wetlands that had an accumulation peak at 11–20 cm. In disturbed tussock wetlands, a significantly higher SOC content was observed in the top 10 cm of soil, while in disturbed and reference wetlands, no significant differences were found in SOC content and stocks, or in TN levels, in deep soil. Additionally, soil organic carbon and nitrogen were significantly correlated with soil water content (SWC), bulk density, soil porosity, and soil respiration (SR). Redundancy analysis revealed that SWC and SR were major determinants of soil carbon and nitrogen. These findings clarified the dynamic changes of soil carbon and nitrogen of disturbed wetland, which is highly significant for accurate estimation of wetland carbon and nitrogen reserves.

Different response of transient and persistent seed bank of alpine wetland to grazing disturbance on the Tibetan Plateau

With increased grazing disturbance of wetlands, soil moisture decreases, which could have an effect on the seed bank. The seed bank is a crucial resource for vegetation restoration; however, the effects of grazing disturbance on density and richness of seed banks and consequences on restoration of degraded wetlands are unclear. We selected six alpine wetlands along a degradation gradient on the Tibetan Plateau for study. The structural equation model was used to explore the direct and indirect effects of soil moisture on transient and persistent seed banks through soil physicochemical factors and vegetation. Non-metric multidimensional scaling was used to explore the role of seed banks in alpine wetland vegetation regeneration. A decrease in soil moisture directly increased richness and density of the transient seed bank. However, decreased soil moisture indirectly decreased density of transient and increased richness and density of the persistent seed bank though soil pH and richness and abundance of vegetation. The similarity between the seed bank and vegetation increased with wetland degradation. Slope of the Bray-Curtis dissimilarity between transient seed bank and vegetation was higher than that for the persistent seed bank and vegetation. Transient seed banks remained almost constant under grazing disturbance, which favours persistent seed bank formation. Transient and persistent seed banks were determined by aboveground vegetation and soil environment, respectively. Seed banks provide strong resistance and resilience to degradation of wetland ecosystems, while persistent seed banks play a more important role than transient seed banks in restoration of degraded alpine wetlands.

Community congruence between macroinvertebrates and wetland dependent birds in natural wetlands of southwest Ethiopia

Assessment and monitoring of biodiversity is critical for conservation planning. Considering the cost and time associated to monitoring, selecting proper bio-indicators is important, particularly in countries where financial resources are limited. The objectives of this study were to investigate community congruence of macroinvertebrates and wetland birds in natural wetlands of southwest Ethiopia, exposed to different levels of human disturbance and to identify important environmental variables related to these bio-indicators. Data on macroinvertebrates, birds, physico-chemical water quality, human disturbance and vegetation cover were collected from 54 sampling sites distributed over 12 wetlands during dry and wet season of 2015. Procrustes analysis was used to quantify community congruence between the two assemblages across different disturbance levels. The congruence of macroinvertebrates and wetland dependent birds was higher for low disturbed wetlands (R2 = 0.60) than for moderately disturbed wetlands (R2 = 0.31). Moderately disturbed wetlands showed no significant congruence between macroinvertebrates and wetland birds and between wetland dependent and wetland associated birds. A significant and positive relation between richness of macroinvertebrates and wetland dependent birds was observed when the full data set was used, whereas no significant relation was observed when the data was split according to the different levels of human disturbance. Vegetation cover, dissolved oxygen, water depth, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and conductivity were significantly correlated with both macroinvertebrate and wetland bird occurrence. Based on our study we suggest to monitor both bio-indicators as they provide important complementary information on the status of the wetlands.