Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups Research Articles

The Spatiotemporal Variation and Ecological Evaluation of Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in the Upper Yellow River.

Against the backdrop of hydropower development in the upper Yellow River, comprehending the spatiotemporal variation and ecological evaluation of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) is paramount for the conservation and restoration of aquatic biological resources in watersheds. Detailed surveys of macroinvertebrates were conducted in the gorge and plain areas of the upper Yellow River in July 2022 and March, May, and October 2023, culminating in the identification of 65 taxonomic units (genus or species) spanning 4 phyla, 14 orders, and 35 families. Of these, 41 taxonomic units were discovered in the gorge areas and 57 in the plain areas. Among the FFGs of macroinvertebrates in the upper Yellow River, collector-gatherers were overwhelmingly dominant, followed by scrapers, collector-filterers, predators, and shredders. Concerning river section types, dominant species in the gorge areas included Gammarus sp., Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, and Polypedilum sp. among collector-gatherers, while in the plain areas, dominant species included Ecdyonurus sp. among scrapers, Hydropsyche sp. among collector-filterers, and Gammarus sp., Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, and Chironomus sp. among collector-gatherers. A Mantel test revealed that dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and orthophosphate were the primary environmental factors affecting the FFGs of macroinvertebrates in the upper Yellow River, with variations observed in their effects across different months. The evaluation results of the Hilsenhoff Biological Index and Shannon-Wiener Index indicate that the water quality of the upper Yellow River is at a moderate level. An assessment of the upper Yellow River ecosystem using FFG parameters demonstrated that macroinvertebrate biomass progressively increased from upstream (gorge areas) to downstream (plain areas) spatially, accompanied by increasing habitat stability, with cascade hydropower development identified as a key factor impacting habitat stability. These findings provide pertinent data and a theoretical foundation for the protection of aquatic biological resources and watershed management in the upper Yellow River.

Stream Algal Biomass Associations with Environmental Variables in a Temperate Rainforest

Benthic algae and autotrophic seston are important bases of stream food webs, and several different environmental factors may influence their biomass. We explored how benthic algae and autotrophic seston biomass (using chlorophyll-a as a proxy for algal biomass) were associated with stream temperature, channel width, canopy cover, stream cardinal orientation, benthic macroinvertebrate functional feeding group abundance, salmonid biomass, and water velocity in 16 small, fish-bearing streams in the temperate rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, USA, in the summer of 2020. We performed a mixed-effects regression analysis of extracted chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and then used model averaging to determine significant (α = 0.05) algal–environmental associations for benthic algae and autotrophic seston separately. We found that benthic algae chl-a concentration increased significantly with stream temperature (p = 0.0085) and decreased significantly with water velocity (p = 0.0053). For autotrophic seston, we found that chl-a concentration increased significantly with benthic macroinvertebrate predator abundance (p = 0.0007) and stream temperature (p = 0.0160). This study underscores the need to consider a broad range of environmental variables when making research and management decisions concerning stream ecology.

Reevaluating Abrupt Biological Discontinuity in a Small Michigan (USA) Stream – Differences in the Organic Biomass of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups Based on Benthic and Terrestrial Habitat

Reevaluating Abrupt Biological Discontinuity in a Small Michigan (USA) Stream – Differences in the Organic Biomass of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups Based on Benthic and Terrestrial Habitat

Application of functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates in highly urbanized streams

Abstract Urbanization is an inevitable process accompanying economic development. However, the rapid urbanization process is posing a threat to aquatic communities and causing disruptions to river ecosystems. In highly urbanized river ecosystems, the mechanisms of human activities on the functional feeding groups (FFGs) of macroinvertebrates remain unclear, hindering the restoration of river ecosystems. This study focuses on an urban stream called the Yangmei River in Guangzhou and investigates environmental factors and macroinvertebrates in August and November 2022 and February and May 2023. Variance analysis, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were employed to research the temporal and spatial characteristics of FFGs. Redundancy analysis was used to explore the environmental factors influencing FFGs. Finally, ecosystem attributes were calculated based on FFG data and ratios. The results indicate that gathering-collectors dominate in the Yangmei River, leading to a transition toward a heterotrophic river system. Simultaneously, the damaged material transportation function, weakened riparian function, and poor habitat stability all reveal the fact of partial functional degradation of the Yangmei River. This study provides valuable insights into the overall functionality of the Yangmei River and contributes theoretical support for the application of FFG methods in the ecological assessment of highly urbanized rivers.

Temporal-spatial distribution of functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrate and biological evaluation of water quality in Xinyang section of the Huaihe River main stream

From November 2021 to September 2022, we conducted four field surveys on macroinvertebrates and water environmental factors in Xinyang section of the Huaihe River main stream. We analyzed the structure and spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of the functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates, and evaluated river water quality. A total of 73 macroinvertebrate species were collected in the basin, belonging to 42 families, 7 classes, and 3 phyla. The dominant species of macroinvertebrates changed significantly in different months, with Exopalaemon modestus being the absolute advantage species in the basin in July and September 2022. In different sampling months, the functional feeding group of macroinvertebrates was mainly dominated by shredders, accounting for 35.9%. The results of redundancy analysis showed that the main environmental factors affecting the distribution of functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates varied across different months, with conductivity in February, temperature in July, and oxidation-reduction potential in September and November. The evaluation based on the biolo-gical index and Shannon index of macroinvertebrates indicated that water quality in the investigated section was at a light pollution level.

Habitat scale and seasonality influence macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in a tropical Kenyan montane stream

Habitat quality and diversity strongly influence the composition of macroinvertebrate communities in lotic ecosystems. We evaluated the functional organization of macroinvertebrates in response to changes in habitat type and seasonality in the Afromontane Moiben River in western Kenya. In-stream substrate characteristics were evaluated at the reach, channel unit/habitat and microhabitat scales at nine sites in different land-use areas. Water and habitat quality were assessed during the dry (January–March) and wet (April–June) seasons. A total of 81 macroinvertebrate samples were collected every month from three channel units (pools, riffles and runs) defined by different substrate types and classified into five functional feeding groups (FFGs): collector-filterers, collector-gatherers, predators, scrapers and shredders. Numerical abundance differed significantly between FFGs, with gatherers > filterers > predators > scrapers > shredders. Coarse substrate (bedrock, boulders and cobbles) in riffles had the highest richness and abundance of filterers and scrapers while sand, mud and detritus in pools recorded the lowest richness and abundance. Shredders and scrapers occurred predominantly in upstream sites with minimal human disturbance, while gatherers were most abundant at disturbed sites. The greatest variability in FFGs was at the smallest microhabitat scale, and not at the reach scale. This study shows that attention should be given to both reach-scale and in-stream disturbances when assessing the ecological condition of streams and rivers.

Aquatic invertebrate community structure and functions within a Ramsar wetland of a premier conservation area in South Africa

The Ramsar-accredited Makuleke Wetlands are located in the Makuleke Concession in the northern Pafuri region of the Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Pafuri area holds up to 75% of Kruger National Park’s total biodiversity, emphasising the Makuleke Wetlands’ international environmental importance. The Makuleke Wetlands are composed of the floodplains of the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers, with an estimated 31 wetlands present within the floodplains. Ten floodplain wetlands were assessed in the Makuleke region, eight of which are fed by the Limpopo River and the other two from the Luvuvhu River. Water and aquatic invertebrate communities were sampled at each site during surveys in April and September 2015 to provide baseline information on the aquatic biota of this Ramsar site. Multivariate data analytical techniques were used to assess the role of season and water quality in structuring the aquatic invertebrate communities of the wetlands. Macroinvertebrate functional feeding group ratios were also calculated as an indication of wetland ecosystem structure and function. Aquatic invertebrate diversity was some of the highest recorded for wetlands in South Africa, indicating the important role these habitats play in supporting high biodiversity in the Makuleke region. Worryingly, one of the most prolific invasive molluscan species, Tarebia granifera, was present in the wetlands and is a significant threat to native biodiversity of this conservation area. Community characteristics and ecosystem structure and function of the aquatic invertebrates further indicated that the Makuleke Wetland habitats were of good quality and provided a sufficient stable substrate for all aquatic invertebrates. Functionally, the system was characterised as reliant on heterotrophic inputs as autotrophic sources are limited. This is the first study of its kind for the region and lays the groundwork for future ecosystem studies on these important wetlands in the second-largest floodplain of South Africa.

Seasonal Changes of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Group Biomass Within Forest and Meadow Habitats of a First-order Michigan (USA) Stream

Seasonal Changes of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Group Biomass Within Forest and Meadow Habitats of a First-order Michigan (USA) Stream

Insights from the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria on the impacts of urban pollution on the functional organisation of Afrotropical macroinvertebrates

Anthropogenic activities, including urbanisation and industrialisation threaten stream ecological integrity, ecosystem community structure and ecosystem functioning of rivers and streams worldwide. However, developing sustainable monitoring strategies for ecological health remains a critical challenge in Africa. We examined the effects of urban disturbance on macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in selected streams in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. We sampled 11 sites between 2008 and 2012 and grouped into three site groups (Site groups 1 > 2 > 3). The groups represent an increasing gradient of urban pollution. Our result showed that urban-induced disturbances affected physicochemical variables in the study area (PERMANOVA; p < 0.05), with nutrients NO2-N, PO4-P, and electrical conductivity being significantly higher in impacted Site group 3 (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Predators and gatherers were the most dominant Functional Feeding Group recorded in the study area, while shredders were the least abundant macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups. The multivariate RLQ analysis revealed that shredders, predators, and scrapers were tolerant of urban pollution, whereas gatherers were sensitive to increasing urban pollution. Overall, macroinvertebrates Functional Feeding Groups responded differentially to urban pollution in the Niger Delta Region. Identifying pollution indicator Functional Feeding Groups is seen as an important step towards developing a reliable, low-cost tool for riverine monitoring of urban pollution effects in Africa.

Monitoring structural and functional responses of the macroinvertebrate community in a resilient stream after its depollution (Casablanca, Morocco).

This study evaluates the changes in the structure of the macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) of the Hassar Stream (northeast of Casablanca) following the installation of Mediouna's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Data on water quality and the macroinvertebrate fauna were collected at seven sample points from November 2013 to October 2014. Macroinvertebrates were used to assess the impact of physicochemical and hydromorphological properties on the FFG organization and resilience. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was employed to examine the distribution of FFGs along this stream. Based on the FFGs' relative abundance, collector-gatherers account for 39.06% of the macroinvertebrates' assemblage, followed by shredders (28.41%), collector-filters (18.76%), scrapers (7.16%), and predators (6.6%). The FFG ratios revealed that the environment was highly heterotrophic (P/R < 0.75), and all studied stations had relatively stable substrates. In addition, the ratios indicated that the studied stations had a functional riparian zone (CPOM/FPOM > 0.25), except for stations S1 and S2. Simultaneously, the RDA model revealed that the distribution of the FFGs closely followed fluctuations in the water quality (BOD5, NH4+, PO43-, EC, and Cl-) and hydromorphic properties (flow and depth). These findings highlight the importance of studying macroinvertebrate FFGs as a complementary way to assess the aquatic ecosystems' ecological integrity and resilience following anthropogenic impact reduction.

Temporal-spatial distribution and ecological evaluation of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in Yongding River Basin

We investigated community structure of macroinvertebrate, water environment factors, hydrological factors at 23 sampling sites of the Yongding River basin from spring 2017 (April) to autumn 2017 (November). We analyzed the composition, spatial and temporal distribution of the macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups, as well as their responses to changes in riverine habitat. A total of 78 macroinvertebrate species were identified, with 52, 50 and 53 macroinvertebrate species in spring, summer and autumn respectively. The dominant functional feeding groups were gather-collectors, followed by predators, while the proportion of scrapers, filter-collectors and shredders were extremely low. Dominant species in the three seasons were all gather-collectors, including Orthocladius, Rheotanytarsus, Cricotopus in spring, Glyptotendipes in summer, and Polypedilum, Chironomus, Orthocladius in autumn. Results of redundancy analysis showed that the functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrate community structure were mainly influenced by water temperature, flow velocity, salinity, and total phosphorus in spring, by total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and flow capacity in summer, and by total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen in autumn. Total phosphorus had positive correlation with gather-collectors in all three seasons, indicating that the functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates were affected by water pollution. The evaluation based on the metrics of functional feeding groups showed that: 1) in terms of material cycle, primary productivity of Guishui River were significantly higher than other regions, and that in autumn were significantly higher than other seasons. The secondary productivity and decomposition capacity of Yanghe River were significantly higher than other regions, and those in spring were significantly higher than other seasons. The autotrophy/heterotrophy of Yanghe River was significantly lower than other regions, and that in spring were significantly higher than other seasons. 2) The longitudinal transport capacity of Sanggan River was significantly higher than other regions, and that in autumn was significantly higher than other seasons. 3) The lateral input capacity of Guishui River was significantly higher than other regions, and that in summer was significantly higher than other seasons.

English

The aim of the study was to determine how mining operations affected the health of aquatic ecosystems. The investigation was carried out in the diamond, gold, and manganese mining areas of Tortiya, Hir&eacute;, and Lauzoua. Leaf litter bags were used to assess breakdown. To further identify macro-invertebrates in the laboratory, leaves from emerged large-mesh bags were preserved in 70% alcohol. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in lost masses between small mesh nets and large mesh nets for a foliar species at the same station. The breakdown rates of Alchornea cordifolia in large mesh nets at N&#39;Teko station were significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than in small mesh nets (0.017 j-1). The majority of the macro-invertebrates found in leaf litter bag were insects and gastropods, with proportions exceeding 50%. Insects dominated the macroinvertebrate group involved in leaf litter decomposition in Lauzoua (91% of associated species) and Hir&eacute; (56.5%), whereas gastropods (Mesogastropoda and Basommatophora, 77% of related organisms) were most abundant in Tortiya. The functional feeding groups of macro-invertebrates involved in the breakdown of leaf litter were dominated by predators (46% of species) and scrapers grazers (27% of taxa). Shredders made up only 1% of the species associated with leaf litter. Macro-invertebrates&rsquo; contribution was significantly higher (Mann -Whitney test, p &lt;0.05) at Bou 1 station. Insects and gastropods made up the majority of the macro-invertebrates involved in litter decomposition. Breakdown rates were relatively low at all stations. &nbsp; Key words: Macro-invertebrates, contribution, breakdown rates, mining areas, streams.

Effects of urban-agricultural land-use on Afrotropical macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in selected rivers in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Effects of urban-agricultural land-use on Afrotropical macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in selected rivers in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria

Structure and trophic organisation of the macrobenthic community of the Hassar stream after installation of the Mediouna wastewater treatment plant (Casablanca, Morocco)

The goal of this research is to assess changes in the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups (FFGs) in the Hassar Stream (north-east of Casablanca) after the Mediouna wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was installed. Over the course of a year, from November 2013 to October 2014, data on water quality and macroinvertebrate fauna are gathered at seven sampling stations. To measure the resilience of FFGs, macroinvertebrates are used to analyse the influence of physicochemical water quality on their organisation. Based on FFGs abundance, Collector-gatherers make up 39.06 percent of the macroinvertebrates’ assemblage, followed by shredders (28.41 percent) and collector-filters (28.41 percent) (18.76 percent). Except for the upstream stations (S1 and S2), the FFGs ratios indicated that the environment is largely heterotrophic, has a significant relationship with riparian inputs, and generally stable substrates. These findings emphasise the necessity of researching macroinvertebrate FFGs as a supplement to measuring the ecological integrity and resilience of rivers after anthropogenic impact reduction.

Microalgal food sources greatly improve macroinvertebrate growth in detritus‐based headwater streams: Evidence from an instream experiment

Abstract In forested headwater streams, inconspicuous food resources such as epilithic microalgae can play a major role owing to their content of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are essential for macroinvertebrate development. Yet, the use of these resources and their consequences for consumers and life‐history traits remain scarcely studied, especially for non‐herbivorous taxa. Using instream mesocosms, we aimed to understand how two macroinvertebrate species, a shredder detritivore (Gammarus pulex) and a scraper (Rhithrogena semicolorata), use available organic resources under light versus shaded conditions (high and low amounts of phototrophic biofilm, respectively). We specifically focused on the origin of carbon (C) and essential lipids (PUFAs, sterols) assimilated by the two species and the effects of these compounds on their survival and growth. When autotrophic biofilms were available (mesocosms exposed to light), both species experienced significantly higher growth than in mesocosms placed in the dark. In Rhithrogena nymphs, the survival and imago emergence rates were positively affected by access to autotrophic biofilms. Using stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N), we demonstrated that under dark conditions both macroinvertebrates assimilated C of detrital origin. Under light conditions, most of the C assimilated by R. semicolorata was derived from autotrophic biofilms and around 11% from fine detrital particles (FPOM). Gammarus pulex derived part of its C from detrital sources (mainly FPOM) and from autotrophic biofilms. The results of isotopic analyses (δ13C) on fatty acids (FAs) and sterols showed that the scraper Rhithrogena was entirely dependent on autotrophic biofilms to meet its dietary FAs and sterol requirements. In contrast, detrital sources were quantitatively important for G. pulex both in terms of C and sterol supply, irrespective of the conditions tested. For these consumers, microalgae seemed to be a complementary food source, but yet essential to cover a large part of their requirements in long‐chain PUFAs. This study clearly confirmed the ecological importance of autotrophic biofilms for two functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates in headwater streams providing new insights on the trophic origin of sterols and long‐chain PUFAs in their diet.

Macroinvertebrate community composition and richness along extreme gradients: The role of local, catchment, and climatic variables in Patagonian headwater streams

Abstract We investigated how interacting multi‐scale environmental variables affect taxonomic composition and functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates in headwater streams of western Patagonia in southern Chile (45–47°S), a region characterised by extreme climatic gradients, intact forested catchments, and recent intense land use change. The opportunity of establishing biological/functional diversity patterns for near‐reference conditions of headwaters streams is paramount. We used multi‐dimensional scaling ordination and boosted regression tree analysis to evaluate the link between reach, catchment, spatial, and regional climatic variables and macroinvertebrate community structure. The high diversity of predators in low productivity streams, together with genera previously unreported for this latitudinal range underscore the unique characteristics and very limited understanding of Patagonian freshwater stream communities. Two main groups of environmental variables were linked to both taxonomic and functional feeding group diversity. The strongly associated variables were related to forest cover (and inversely alpine zone) at the catchment scale, together with stream velocity at the local scale. The second group reflected local indicators of productivity and weathering inputs, associated with the regional east–west precipitation gradient. We present a conceptual model for the catchment scale effects on invertebrate functional groups in forested headwater streams. While the results highlight potentially singular characteristics of the study region, they also suggest a macro‐ecological generalisation of how global change variables, operating on mountain catchments, may differentially affect stream ecosystems as a consequence of the variations in the forest/alpine gradient, across both deciduous and evergreen temperate biomes.

Effect of Anthropogenic Activity on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups in Small Streams of West Sumatra, Indonesia

Functional feeding groups (FFG) of benthic macroinvertebrates have been used to characterize the condition of aquatic ecosystems, changes in land use, and assess the river health ecosystems. Ranggeh River belongs to a small river that plays a vital role in breeding the native fish of Lake Maninjau (West Sumatra). Agricultural activities and human settlements around the Ranggeh River can threaten life and change the FFG of benthic macroinvertebrates. This study aims to analyze and observe changes in water quality by anthropogenic activities and their impact on FFG benthic macroinvertebrates in a small stream (Ranggeh River). This research was conducted at the Ranggeh River segment from February to August 2019. A sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates was carried out using a Hess sampler on the riffle. This study shows that predators, shredders, and scrapers are still dominant when the Ranggeh River ecosystem is still minimally disturbed by agricultural activities and settlements. However, when agriculture activities and human settlements become more massive, the dominant FFGs are collector-filterers and collector-gatherers. Sedimentation parameters (turbidity and % embeddedness) in the Ranggeh River greatly influence predators, scrapers, and shredders. FFG has excellent potential to be further developed in preparing biocriteria for the effects of agriculture and human settlements.

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

Trophic structure in response to land use in subtropical streams

Land use in the uplands can substantially impact the biological community in stream ecosystems, but how the trophic structure of aquatic communities within riverine food webs respond to catchment land use changes within their respective catchment remains unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of land use on aquatic communities in two streams in subtropical China. We measured isotopic compositions of basal resources, four macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (scrapers, collectors, shredders, and predators with 132 taxa), and three fish functional feeding groups (herbivores, omnivores, and piscivores with 26 species) in three land uses (woodland, agricultural, and urban). Isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N were used to estimate the dietary proportions of consumers (macroinvertebrates and fish) and community-level metrics (niche width and trophic diversity). We found that isotopic values of basal resources, macroinvertebrates, and fish varied significantly among sampling sites adjacent to the three land uses. Dietary analysis showed that terrestrial resources contributed relatively less (~20%) than aquatic resources to consumers (macroinvertebrates and fish) in higher trophic levels, especially in the urban sites. Compared to woodland sites, food webs in the urban sites had lower niche width and higher trophic redundancy, and agricultural sites had higher trophic length and lower niche width. Trophic structure alterations in response to land use primarily resulted from availability and variability of basal resources in the upstream river channel and the riparian zone, and also the feeding plasticity of macroinvertebrates and/or fish. These empirical findings indicate the importance of diversity across all trophic levels in the management of stream ecosystems in urban and agricultural landscapes.

Land-use influence on the functional organization of Afrotropical macroinvertebrate assemblages

Studies investigating the effects of human activities on the functional organization of macroinvertebrate communities in tropical streams and rivers are very limited, despite these areas witnessing the greatest loss of natural forests globally. We investigated changes in taxon richness, numerical abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) in streams draining different land-use types in the Sosiani-Kipkaren River in western Kenya. Twenty-one sites in river reaches categorized as forested, mixed, urban or agricultural were sampled during the dry and wet seasons. Collected macroinvertebrates were identified to the lowest taxon possible (mainly genus) and classified into five major FFGs; collector-gatherers, collector-filterers, scrapers, predators and shredders. There were significant (p < 0.05) spatial variation in habitat quality, organic matter standing stocks, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and nutrient concentrations across land-uses, with forested sites recording lowest values in mean water temperature, electrical conductivity and nutrients while recording highest levels in dissolved oxygen concentrations. Responses in macroinvertebrates to changes in land-use varied with richness, abundance and biomass showing differences within FFGs. Biomass-based metrics responded more strongly to change in land-use while taxon richness was the least predictive, indicating replacement of taxa within FFGs across land-use types. Higher shredder abundance, biomass and richness were recorded in forested streams which were cooler with protected riparian areas and high biomass of coarse particulate organic matter. Collector-gatherers dominated agricultural and urban streams owing to an abundance of particulate organic matter and nutrients, while scrapers responded positively to increased nutrient levels and open canopy in mixed and agricultural streams where primary production and algal biomass was likely increased. Overall, this study provides further evidence of the effects of agricultural and urban land-uses on tropical streams and rivers and contributes to the use of macroinvertebrate FFGs as indicators of ecological health.