Influence of the landscape in different scales on the EPT community (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) in an Atlantic Forest region.

There is a strong link between habitat loss, fragmentation of natural vegetation, and reduction of biodiversity in aquatic systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different landscape scales on the community of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera in Atlantic Forest rivers. We sought to understand how aquatic communities are affected by different habitat structures and anthropogenic changes in different spatial scales (in radii of 30, 50, 100, 150, and 200 m). Seven points were established where eight sample campaigns were carried out between 2015 and 2016. The analyses indicate the types of land use, with forest cover being of greatest expressiveness, as determinants in the structure and diversity of the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera community. When evaluating the effect of the scales, for the basin evaluated, it was detected that the 30 and 50 m buffers were the most representative. These buffers suggest that the configuration and composition of landscape, especially the forest cover class, have a strong influence on the composition of the aquatic entomofauna in the region. The results confirm the importance of studies at local scales regarding the relation of the landscape for Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera biodiversity in view of the particular relationship of these orders with the riparian forest for its various functions. It is concluded that riparian forests in the 30 and 50 m scales should not be modified; otherwise, aquatic biodiversity will be compromised.