Effect of Restoration of Riparian Corridors on the Biotic and Abiotic Characteristics of Streams in Cattle Ranching Areas of La Vieja River Catchment in Colombia

摘要

Four streams of La Vieja river catchment, Colombia, were monitored in order to evaluate the effect of restoration activities on the habitat characteristics, water quality, and macroinvertebrates. A 100 m reach in each stream was selected and monitored previous to the intervention and for the next two years. An initial recovery of the native vegetation in the riparian area was noticed. Turbidity and biochemical oxygen demand were reduced and desirable habitat characteristics, such as coarse substrates and pools were increased. Predominant macroinvertebrate taxa were Mollusca (Basommatophora, Sphaeriidae) and Diptera, but Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera, groups considered sensible to perturbation, increased slightly through the years. The results demonstrate that the isolation of streams stimulates the restoration of the aquatic habitat and macroinvertebrates, but a longer period of evaluation is needed to detect more remarkable changes. Additional actions are needed to allow the growth of trees that compete with the present exotic pasture species.