Qualidade ecológica de riachos de uma Unidade de Conservação no bioma Mata Atlântica

Conservation Units (UCs) act in different ways to protect and maintain ecosystem services of great importance, such as water resources. This study aimed to evaluate the ecological integrity of different streams in the Serra do Candonga State Park (PESC), through benthic macroinvertebrates. There was no significant difference in the physical-chemical parameters between the streams studied, whose values were in accordance with the limits established by Conama Resolution 357/05 of the “Class 1” category for freshwater, which correspond to the special class because they are within a UC. Shannon diversity values ranged from 0.8976 (P4) and 1.852 (P7), being that the points showing differences among the analyzed indexes, and these variations were attributed to anthropogenic impacts and the diversity of mesohabitats. The analyses highlighted points P2, P6 and P7 as sites of high diversity and richness, with P7 being the reference point with the greatest richness, occurrence of sensitive taxa, and consequently, with the highest % of EPT, while in the other points it was observed that the existing environmental impacts interfered in the macroinvertebrate community. Despite this, the classification of most of the physical-chemical parameters of the sample sites in “Class 1”, established by legislation, and the biotic parameters results indicated the ecological integrity of several sites within the analyzed area. This highlights the importance of PESC for protecting habitats, maintaining ecological processes, and consequently, fulfilling its role in maintaining essential ecosystem services, such as maintaining water resources.