ABSTRACT3
This study was performed along a tributary of Três Marias reservoir. The objective was to evaluate the correlation among several parameters usually used for the determination of aquatic environmental health such as benthos abundance, diversity, as well as BMWP, with the protocols of rapid ecological assessment proposed by Hannaford (1997) and EPA (1987)EPA (Environmental protection Agency). Biological criteria for the protection of aquatic life. Columbus: Division of Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment, 1987. v.1-3, 120p.. We observed a tendency for a decrease of habitat diversities, as well as benthos diversity, abundance and BMWP along the studied area. However, Spearman’s test showed no significative correlation at the level of p < 0.05 among the data acquired by the application of rapid ecological assessment protocols and the other parameters here studied. Therefore, we concluded that the use of these protocols can guide us to an erroneous interpretation about the environmental health and consequently allowing different decisions on how to conserve and manage the environment.
KEY WORDS:
Diversity; benthos; rapid ecological assessment; BMWP.
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