Transplanting macrophytes as a rehabilitation technique for lowland streams and their influence on macroinvertebrate assemblages.

ABSTRACT

Lowland streams are usually affected by river engineering works that produce the loss of habitat heterogeneity. Our aim was to assess the transplantation of macrophytes with different complexity into a lowland stream which was dredged and widened. Stuckenia pectinata and Hydrocleys nymphoides were collected at an extraction site and installed at a transplant site. The growth and coverage of macrophytes beds were quantified. Taxonomic richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, abundance, composition and proportion of functional feeding groups of the macroinvertebrate assemblage presented in macrophyte beds were assessed between sites and species. The growth of both macrophytes did not differ significantly between sites and the coverage of transplanted beds increased, therefore they established at the transplant site within a short period. Regarding to macroinvertebrate assemblage, only the functional feeding groups did not show differences between sites. Moreover, the proportion of predators presented differences between macrophytes at the same site, with H. nymphoides having a higher proportion. Our study showed that this technique is suitable for reintroducing these species and is applicable in rehabilitation projects that promote the restoration of habitat heterogeneity deteriorated by river engineering works. Also, we highlight the importance of incorporate macroinvertebrate functional traits to assess the ecological status after rehabilitation.