STEM

Rapid Benthic Insect Diversity Assessment in Selected Streams Affected by Agricultural Anthropogenic Disturbances in Virac, Catanduanes

Rion Faustus O. Benitez*, Jude Vincent G. Lumbao, Benedict M. Quiñones, and Joseph Noel G. Tabor

Senior High School Department, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Catanduanes National High School, Virac, Catanduanes

Benthic insect diversities can indicate how much anthropogenic activities affect a certain area. Catanduanes, known for its agriculture, led to the prominence of agriculture related anthropogenic disturbances in the province. Observing the diversity of these significant benthic insect species through a rapid diversity assessment among affected streams will determine whether there is a stark difference between relatively disturbed downstream areas and their rarely disturbed upstream areas. Benthic insects located in the downstream and upstream areas of the streams of Sto. Niño and Sibanhan were simultaneously sampled one day each through pole kick net capturing, wherein these samples equated to a rough estimate of the total abundance and diversity of the benthic insects within each area. The samples were then identified using a macroinvertebrate identification key and had their Shannon-Weiner Diversity Indices calculated. The diversities revealed that there is a significant difference between areas of anthropogenically disturbed and undisturbed stream stations, as some stations were significantly less diverse due to more dominant species taking up the population. Furthermore, the results also revealed that anthropogenic disturbances also increase the presence of pollution-sensitive taxa in downstream sites due to increased flow rate, inferring that they do not necessarily lessen the individuals within a community.

Keywords—agricultural anthropogenic disturbances, benthic insects, diversity, downstream, rapid assessment, Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index, upstream

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