In bromeliad phytotelma, anthropic disturbance does not affect the nematode trophic structure

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Aquatic Ecosystems

Background:

• Phytotelmata are plant-held water bodies that can be sensitive to environmental changes.
• Anthropic disturbance (AD) may alter phytotelmata's water chemistry and impact their inhabitants.
• Phytotelmata biota are potential bioindicators for detecting AD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of long-term anthropic disturbance (AD) on the nematode trophic structure and water physico-chemical properties (PCPs) in bromeliad phytotelmata.
• To assess the suitability of phytotelma nematodes as bioindicators for AD.

Main Methods:

• Selected three Atlantic Forest areas with varying levels of long-term AD.
• Monitored nematode trophic structure and water PCPs in the bromeliad *Neoregelia cruenta* over two years.
• Analyzed seasonal variations in nematode abundance and community structure in relation to AD levels.

Main Results:

• No consistent pattern emerged in total nematode abundance or trophic group abundance related to AD levels across seasons.
• Water PCPs in the bromeliad phytotelmata remained largely similar across the three study areas.
• Anthropic disturbance did not significantly impact the nematode trophic structure in the studied phytotelmata.

Conclusions:

• The study did not find evidence that anthropic disturbance alters water properties in bromeliad phytotelmata.
• Nematodes inhabiting bromeliad phytotelmata are not effective bioindicators for detecting anthropic disturbance.
• Findings challenge previous assumptions about the sensitivity of phytotelmata to environmental alterations.