AQUATIC INSECT COMMUNITIES AND FUNCTIONAL FEEDING GROUPS AS INDICATORS OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IN TROPICAL VIETNAM STREAMS

Hieu Van Nguyen, Hien Thi Thu Nguyen

Abstract


This study examined aquatic insect diversity, functional feeding organization, and ecosystem function across three stream environments in tropical northern Vietnam: forest-associated (FSE), agriculture-associated (ASE), and residential streams (RSE). A total of 104 species from 90 genera and 45 families were recorded, with significantly higher richness and diversity in FSE (d: 4.5±0.5; H′: 2.7±0.1) compared with ASE (d: 3.5±0.6; H′: 2.4±0.1) and RSE (d: 2.6±0.4; H′: 2.0±0.3) (P<0.05). Functional Feeding Group (FFG) composition varied greatly among environments: scrapers dominated in FSE (29.4%), collector-filterers in ASE (22.2%), and collector-gatherers in RSE (45.4%). Functional indices also showed clear gradients, with higher P/R and substrate stability in FSE, elevated TFPOM/BFPOM in ASE, and the highest predator ratios in RSE. These patterns closely corresponded with environmental parameters such as DO, turbidity, and organic load. The results demonstrate the strong diagnostic power of FFGs for detecting ecological change and emphasize their value for bioassessment and stream management in tropical regions.

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References


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