The use of macrobenthos as indicators of the water quality of mountain Rivers of Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão, SP

Abstract

The benthic community of four rivers of "Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão", in an amount of five sections was studied through monthly collects from March 1984 to February 1985 with the purpose of to use the macrobenthic organisms as indicators of the water quality. A comparison among sections was done through physical and chemical characters of the water and the environmental indicators such as Diptera (Chironomus, Tanytarsini, Orthocladiinae), Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera, the diversity index of organisms and percentage of similarity using the different groups of Diptera and, particularly, Chronomidae. Thus, it can be concluded that Canhambora and Casquilho streams are the least polluted environments and that Sapucaí­­-Guaçu River is quite different from the others and less favorable for fish life.