The Zygoptera/Anisoptera ratio as a tool to assess anthropogenic changes in Atlantic Forest streams

The changes in land use caused by human activities have directly impacted aquatic ecosystems, making these environments some of the most threatened places on the planet. It is increasingly necessary and urgent to develop tools to identify and assess the effects of human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Zygoptera/Anisoptera ratio can be an effective tool to measure ecological changes in Atlantic Forest streams. Adult Odonata were collected in 42 streams. An environmental integrity index was used as a measure of environmental change. The Zygoptera/Anisoptera ratio was efficient in classifying the state of preservation of streams; therefore, habitats with a proportion equal to or greater than 67 and 52% of richness and abundance of the suborder Anisoptera can be considered altered. Meanwhile, streams representing a proportion of 54 and 67% of richness and abundance of the suborder Zygoptera can be considered little altered or preserved. The proportions of responses were close to the proposals for streams in the Amazon rainforest region. The ease of identifying the specimens in the different suborders of Odonata is practical, enabling the implementation of participatory monitoring with quick responses for monitoring in the aquatic ecosystems assessed in the region. It is important to test the Zygoptera/Anisoptera ratio for a broader validation in biomes where this evaluation has not yet been carried out. In the future, this will enable the implementation of networks for monitoring the integrity of aquatic environments quickly, effectively and at a low cost.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the effectiveness of the Zygoptera/Anisoptera ratio in measuring ecological changes in Atlantic Forest streams, finding it to be a practical tool for classifying the preservation status of streams. The ease of specimen identification in different Odonata suborders allows for quick participatory monitoring, facilitating the establishment of monitoring networks for aquatic environment integrity in the future.