Effects of anthropic actions and forest areas on a neotropical aquatic ecosystem

This research aimed to understand how anthropic impacts generated by sugarcane plantations and urban development affect a Neotropical river in northeastern Brazil, through the evaluation of the relationships between the local ichthyofauna and environmental variables, and different patterns of land cover, in addition to seasonal variation. Monthly samples of environmental parameters and icthyofauna were taken from September 2013 to August 2014 in the lower course of the Capibaribe River (PE, Brazil). Environmental parameters varied significantly among land cover and seasons, grouping separately samples from the Anthropized and Forested areas. Highest values of phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, fecal coliform (E. coli) and ammoniacal nitrogen, together with the lowest dissolved oxygen concentrations, were recorded in the Anthropized areas. Species richness, evenness, and diversity of fishes were highest in the Forested areas, while abundance was highest in the Anthropized areas. Our results emphasize the importance of riparian forests, since the forested sites had best environmental conditions and ichthyofauna with higher diversity and evenness. Impacts caused by sugarcane plantations and urban development resulted in the simplification of the ichthyofauna and nutrient enrichment, which underpinned a process of eutrophication. Our results reinforce the need for the development of management plans that encourage rational land use practices, the protection of aquatic ecosystems, the recovery of riverside areas, and the conservation of local biodiversity.