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Bornaz, Valeri, 2025. Ecological analysis of macroinvertebrates in remediated ditches based on their functional traits. Second cycle, A2E. Uppsala: SLU, Dept. of Soil and Environment

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Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of agricultural ditch rehabilitation using a two-stage
design on water quality and the composition of functional traits in aquatic
macroinvertebrate communities. Nineteen paired sites in southern and central
Sweden were analysed, each with a remediated downstream section and an
unremediated upstream section.
No statistically significant differences were found in the physicochemical
parameters analysed, although the remediated sections had lower maximum values
and less dispersion for several pollutants. Likewise, traditional taxonomic
indicators such as richness, total abundance and metrics based on Ephemeroptera,
Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) also showed no clear differences between
conditions.
However, functional analysis identified nine traits with a high contribution to
functional dissimilarity. Intermediate body size showed a positive relationship with
total phosphorus and a negative relationship with suspended solids. Significant
associations were also observed between life cycle duration traits (short and long)
and turbidity, suggesting reproductive responses to conditions of increased
sedimentation.
These results suggest that, although no overall improvements in water quality and
taxonomy were detected, the analysis of functional traits highlighted ecological
signals that conventional metrics overlooked in this dataset. Therefore,
incorporating this complementary approach into monitoring programmes could
improve the ecological assessment of restoration interventions in agricultural
landscapes.

Main title:Ecological analysis of macroinvertebrates in remediated ditches based on their functional traits
Authors:Bornaz, Valeri
Supervisor:Bieroza, Magdalena and Livsey, John
Examiner:Krab, Eveline
Series:Examensarbeten / Institutionen för mark och miljö, SLU
Volume/Sequential designation:2025:11
Year of Publication:2025
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:NM029 Soil, Water and Environment - Master's Programme, 120.0hp
Supervising department:(NL, NJ) > Dept. of Soil and Environment
Keywords:two-stage ditch, functional traits, ecological assessment, aquatic macroinvertebrates
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-21233
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-21233
Language:English
Deposited On:08 Jul 2025 12:00
Metadata Last Modified:08 Jul 2025 12:00

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