LIMNOLOGICA Ecology of a high Andean stream, Rio Itambi, Otavalo, Ecuador Patti Carrera Burneo'*, Ginter Gunkel? Ponticla Universidad Catia dl Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador Technical University of Beri, Department of Water Quality Cont, Berlin, Germany Received October 30, 2002 + Accepted January 27, 2003 Abstract Ahigh Andean stream in the equatorial zone of Ecuador, the Rio ltambi, located at 2,600 to 4,600 m a.s.L., was studied to describe its physical siructure, geomorphology, water chem- istry and biodiversity. The Itambi catchment basin is characterized in its upper part by the volcanic sierra with >10% slope, and in its lower part by lake deposits. The length of Rio Itambi is 17 km with a catchment basin of 11,271 ha; the annual flow amounts to 0.07-0.5 mvs. Stream structure is evaluated using a modification of the German “Geomorphological Structure Classification Method” with six main parameters (development of stream bed, longitudinal profile, transversal profile, bed structure, stream bank structure, and surrounding environment). Nowadays an impact of Rio Itamb’s stream structure occurs due to anthropogenic activities, ‘The water quality of Rio Itambi is presented on the basis of a monthly monitoring, and a comparison of rainy and dry season is given. An impact on quality is caused by human activ ities (sewage input, cattle raising), by landslides with a remodelling of the stream bed and by alow oxygen concentration due to altitude. Flora of stream banks as well as diatoms, macrophytes and fauna of stream bed were deter- ‘ined, and within the stream, biodiversity is low. In the upper part of the stream, this seems to be an effect of low oxygen saturation values and of landslide that remodel the stream bed, and in the lower part ofthe stream itis due to anthropogenic damage by sewage input, Key words: Rio Itambi ~ Lago San Pablo ~ Andes ~ Ecuador ~ running water ~ stream — ‘water quality ~ physical structure ~ geomorphology ~ biodiversity Introduction and subtropical streams, focused on anthropogenic in- fluences (JACOBSEN et al. 1997; JaconseN 1998; JAcoB- SEN & ENCALADA 1998), but until now liltle is known about the limnic ecosystems, the ecological processes. Few studies have been carried out on the ecology of high Andean streams in Ecuador. TURCOTTE & HARPER (1982) investigated the macroinvertebrate species of a small stream located in the Cajas mountains in southern Ecuador. Since 1995, the University of Copenhagen and the Pontificia Universidad Catética del Ecuador have been conducting limnological studies of high mountain *Corresponding author: Dr Parca Cantera Bure, and the dynamic of running waters of high Andean streams This research focuses on Rio Itambi, a high Andean stream and main affluent of Lago San Pablo (Lake San Pablo). The objectives of this work ae: niversidad Calica del Ecuador (PUCE), Av 12 de Octobre y Pati, PO.Box 17-01-2184, Quite, Ecuador; Phone/Fax: 0059 32 2509571, email: pearerat@pucevio.puceedu.ec (0075.9511/03/33/01-029 $ 15,00/0 ‘Limnologica (2008) 33, 29-43,30 P.Carters Burneo & G, Gunkel 14 T 78°14 45 rae ‘CUBILCHE VOLGAN 7e° 14 1 Fisuulse je 2 Tre anes cof] | CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS ence; 3 ambi station upsveam fom the| | > vilags source 4 Souce Wo, 5 SoueNo.2,6a-| | "ae fi station cownsteam fom the source: 7.| | —— Mamnstees Staion bbe the wean, 8 Staton ater he Sec sees ‘wetland: 9, tation at Huaycopungo Bridge; | | ——~— Ross 10. Station at ftambi’s mouth; 11. Gonzélez| | ‘~~~ Pall way ‘Suarez Ravine; 12. San Pablo Ravine. Ge SLD Technical University of Besin Contents; ambi watershed Hydrological map and sampling in ambi Date: Scale: November 2000 | 1:100.00 Fig. 1. Map of Rio Itambi the main affluent of Lago San Pablo, Ecuador Sampling stations 1-12 are marke, (2003) 33, 29-43Ecology of # high Andean stream, Rio Itambi, Otavalo, Ecuador — Research and analysis of physical, chemical and biot- ic characteristics of Rio Itambi in order to understand and quantify the interaction of these parameters, ~ Adaptation and development of a new method for ecological evaluation of the structure of a high An- dean stream with the purpose of having a tool in Ecuador, which would allow the monitoring the geo- morphological quality of streams, and the manage- ment of these ecosystems. — Determination of fauna and flora biodiversity of Rio Itambi and correlation with physical and chemical pa- rameters of Rio Itambi, learning this way its regula ing factors as well as the ecological stream zoning. — Registration and evaluation of ecological quality of Rio Itambi with the objective of developing concepts for an adequate management of running waters. Materials and Methods Study area The investigation area is located in the Imbabura province, near Otavalo, in the center of the Andes in northern Ecuador — South America, The Rio Itam| catchment basin is part of the river Ambi basin, which belongs to the Chota basin, ‘The headwaters ofthe Itambi are at 3,800 m a.s.. in the Cusin, a non-active voleano {3,889 m), which together with Cubilche (4,826 m), Im- ‘babura (4,609 m) and Mojanda (4,263 m) form the Lago ‘San Pablo Inter-Andean valley (Fig. 1), Rio Itambi is bom as a waterfall in the Cusin moorland, with a gradi- ent of > 70% and a substrate of lange stones in the upper part, and it flows across the La Rinconada valley. Its catchment basin extends from 2,660 to 4,600 m a.s.l., with an area of 11,271 ha, Rio Itambi comes together with the Cusin and San Agustin ravines at 2,800 m as. Rio Itambi is 17 km long and flows into Lago San Pablo Keonal Epirithral | Metarhtheal 31 (GUNKEL 2000; CasALLAS & GuNKEL. 2002); its coordi- nates are 87°8'45” western longitude/7°11’40” northern latitude to 78°12’30” western longitude/7°11’40” north- en latitude, Two villages, San Pablo and Gonzalez Sustez, are located on the Rio Ttambi basin, and the sewage of these two villages is lead into Rio Itambi by the San Pablo and Gonzalez Suérez ravines. Some ravines of intermittent flow join Rio Itambi, 28 in total, ‘with lengths that vary between 0.8 and 7.2 km, Landslides and heavy rains that occur due to stochas- tic events wash the fine sediments off and remodel the river bed, thus a bank erosion of up 2 m high can be ob- served. The dynamic of the geomorphologic structure of the streams has an important role for aguatic life. ‘Ten sampling stations for monthly monitoring and 12 sampling stations for the comparison of dry and rainy seasons were established along the lower course of 7 kilometers with access to Rio Itambi (Fig. 2, Table 1) Physical, chemical, and biological sampling was carried ‘out between November 1998 and January 2000, Physical and chemical monitoring Acrial photographs of the Instituto Geografico Militar (IGM 1993, 1:60,000) were used to update and obtain physical characteristics of the Rio Itambi catchment basin, MicroUstation 95 software was used to load charts. For the elaboration ofthe data base and thematic ‘maps, ArcInfo and SIG Are View 3.0. were used. ‘The physical and chemical parameters of Rio Itambi's water were registered each month during 1998-1999, PH, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured with WTW probes. Special samplings were carried out during April (rainy season) and August (ary season) in 1999 with a determination of BOD,, COD, Pras Niwa and silica; these analyses were carried out by the Secretaria de Saneamiento Ambiental, Quito. ratte eta | Fig. 2. Longtucinal profile ‘and biolagical division of Rio ambi with location of sampling stations. Longitudinal Profile (km) Limnologiea (2003) 33, 29-4332 P.Carera Burneo & G, Gunkel During August 1999 and January 2000, diurnal pattern sampling (06:00-22:00) was done on stations 1, 8 and 10. The evaluation of water quality was done by the Water Quality Index (WQl) of CaNTER (1985, see Table 2). Water Quality Classes (WQC) were calculated by an arithmetrie approach, Sampling and identification of macrophytes, diatoms, and macroinvertebrates Plants were sampled in April and August 1999 consider- ing altitude and habitat, using the manual of Cook et a. (1974) for their identification. In order to obtain diatom samples, stones from the stream bed were scrubbed and Table 1. Characteristics of the sampling stations of io ambi, Ecuador Sampling ‘Altitude Longitude — Substrat Geomorpholagical Ecological stations (m) Zone Zone 1 2.830 91000 90% big stones > 180 mm; 8% stones > 60mm; Torent, week Metahthal 2 2800 10.000 2% gravel and sand < 20 mm 3 2.670 12400 40% gravel 6-60 mm; Hyporhithal 4Springinfow ——-2.760.-—«12.408 60% fine sand, clay, organic sediment 5Spinginfow = 267012425 6 2668 12625 TTotoraswemp 2.665 13.145 SSM organic mud SH Tne sand BTotoraswamp 2665 13.625 Fluvioglacil valley 9 2.263 15425 ‘BO organiemud, dayandnesand; Epipotemal 0 2263 16425 20% sand 0.02-0.6 mm V1 Sewagechannel 2.263 15.025 100% organicmud 12Sewagechanmel— 2.263 15.125 Table 2. Water ualiy indices (WQ) of Cae (1985); CFU = colony forming units. Water Water Suspended Temperature (©) 03 (%) Pow BH BOD, Fecal Quality quality sediment (ong {imgil) coliforms Index (mgi) High Low =< 100% > 100% <13 >73 (cru! way valley valley 100m) sector sector 1 Veygood 20-50 140-149 200-214 100-79 100-127 0-018 7366 7383 O18 01 2 Good 50-265 42-158 214-228 7961 127-143 018-035 66-50 83-88 1833 1-12.50 3 Moderate 265-285 158-167 228-242 61-54 143-150 035-061 60-53 88-90 33-61 1250-55 4 Insufcient 285-510 167-175 242-256 54405 150-160 O6I-14 S352 90-94 61-94 55-120 5 Defident $10-§60 175-184 256-270 405-25 160-174 1436 52-46 94-101 94-120 120-600 & Bad 560-650 193-20 270-284 25-0 174200 36-12 46-20 101-12 120-30 600-100,000 7 Verybod 3650 ->20- 3084520012320 a2 280 100,000 Table 3, Quality degrees (QD) and quality indices (Q0 ofthe georarphologic evaluation of Rio tabi, using modified method ofthe Ger- ‘man Geamorphological Evaluation Scheme (LWA 1953, UNW 1996). Damage degree Quality Degree (QD) Quality Index (QH) Color of the ofthe main parameter _of the geomorphologic geological river evaluation (£QD/n) quality mapping Natural iver 1 1-17 Darkblue Natural rive with certain degradations 2 18-26 Light biue Moderately degraded river 3 27-35 Dark green Cleaty degraded river 4 35-44 Lught areen Strongly degrade river 5 45-53 Yellow Ver tronaly degraded river 6 54-62 Orange. Completely degraded river 7 63-70 Red Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43Ecology of a high Andean stream, Rio Itambi, Otavalo, Ecuador 33, algae were fixed with formaldehyde; they were prepared (oxidation with H,0,/H,SO,) and soaked with Naphrax. Determination was carried out using KRAMMER & LANGE-BERTALOT (1986) and LaNGE-BERTALOT (1998) according to Hofmann (1994), who has evaluated troph- ic and saprophytic tolerances. Qualitative collections of macroinvertebrates in stony substrate were made with a Surver net. In sandy and limy substrates two quadrants of 1 x 0.50 m were established and sweepings with metal sifters were carried out, both of lime and plants within the quadrants. A typical sweep- ing net was used to capture nekton and neuston animals. Macroinvertebrates were collected alive, placed in plas- tic boxes, and identified in laboratory with the aid of ROLDAN (1996), DomtNcuez et al. (1992), THORP & Covient (1994) and IrvaRte (1995), The Shannon- Wiener index was used for biodiversity analysis. Quality evaluation of stream’s geomorphological structure The adaptation and development of @ method for evaluat ing geomorphological parameters of high Andean streams was based on the method designed by LWA in Germany (LWA 1993; LWW 1996). This method consists of evalu- ating six main geomorphologic features every 100 m: = Development of the stream hed: Sinuosity of the stream, erosion ofthe river banks at the meanders, lon- tudinal natural banks, special structures such as wa- terfalls or piling of sediments caused by landslides. = Longitudinal profile: Transverse bed degradation, damming, piping, transverse banks, current diversity, depth variation. ~ Transversal profile: Profile type and depth, transverse erosion, variation of transversal width, possibility of transversal passages. ~ Bed structure: Type of substrates, substrate structure, substrate diversity, bed degradation, special structures of the stream bed. — Stream bank structure: Stream banks with trees or medium sized shrubs, wetlands at the stream banks, bank degradation, special structures on stream banks. = Surrounding environment: Soil usage, vegetation sirips along the banks, structures along the running water such as Eucalyptus plantations, garbage dumps, roads, crops on steep slopes, cattle raising. After the evaluation system for high Andean streams was developed, a gradation of the quality of each struc- tute of Rio Itambi was done (Table 3). Results Climate According to PouRRUT (1983) climatic classification, in the lower zone of the Rio Itambi micro basin (2,650- 3,400 m a.s..) equatorial semi-humid mesothermic cli- ‘mate predominates; and equatorial humid isofrigid in the moorland area (3,400-4,000 m a.s.l.). Temperatures range between 8 °C and 22 °C in the Itambi valley. Itambi catchment basin The Itambi catchment basin measures approximately 11,271 ha, Four physiographic units may be seen in this, area: a) High voleanie sierra, located in the high moorlands of Imbabura and crests of Mojanda (3,600-4,000 m asi). Relief is mountainous with >70%, gradients, covering an area of 7,326 ha, b) Medium voleanic sierra, located on the low and very humid moorlands of Mojanda and on the wide hills of the mountain ranges, including Cusin. They reach from 3,600 to 2,800 m a.s.L; the relief consists, of hills and strong slopes from 50 to 70% with an area of 1,691 ha. ©) Low volcanic sierra, covered with pyroclastic mate- rial cemented with cangagua (a strong type of clay), located between 1,500 and 2,800 m as. The relief is, hilly and strongly undulating with gradients of 20 t0 ‘50%; it covers an area of 1,127 ha, 4) Lake deposits that correspond to the low sector of the Inter-Andean valley, are found next to Lago San Pablo between 2,600-2,800 m a.s.l. They present a slight gradient (< 30%) and occupy an area of 1,127 ha, The Rio Itambi valley corresponds to a lake ter- race formed by the descent of Lago San Pablo's water level. The terrace is set on voleanic breccias 15 t0 20, mithick. Around 3,632 ha (= 32.2%) of the Rio Itambi cate ment are subjected to strong and very strong erosion. ‘The area affected by moderate erosion or none at all is 7,639 ha ( 67.8%), which has been well preserved, e. the Mojanda moorlands. It must be mentioned that in the ambi valley erosion is significant due to short cycle crops farming and heavy rains, Hydrology The catchment basin of Rio Itambi is formed by the high Andean creek, its main permanent water body. Between 2,800 and 2,850 ma.s.L, Rio Itambi comes together with two other creeks, the Cusin and San Agustin ravines (see Fig. 1). 28 ravines of intermittent flow, in total, join Rio Itambi in its 17 kilometer stretch, Their lengths vary be- tween 0.8 km and 7.2 km. Atan altitude of 2,670 mas.l., Rio Itambi receives a high inflow from a spring in the Mojanda hills beside the creek, which average flow is 0.1 m'/s. At 2,663 m a.sL., rain and sewage waters from the Gonzalez Suérez and San Pablo ravines flow into Rio Itambi; these two creeks have an average flow of 0.3 Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-4334 P.Carrera Burneo & G. Gunkel mis, with a maximum average of 0.5 ms and a mini- mum of 0.2 m’/s, During 1999 the Itambi presented an annual flow of 0.07 m'/s to 0.5 m/s, Ecological floors According to the classification of ecological floors in Ecuador by CaNapas (1983), the Rio Itambi valley is on the low humid mountainous ecological floor. Native ‘vegetation does not exist in this valley as it has been re- placed by pasture lands in low zones and by Eucalyptus globulus forests on slopes. Whatever remains of native ‘vegetation there are may be found above 2,800 m asl. Table 4. Physical and geomorphalogic parameters of Ri tam. Geomorphologic evaluation of Rio Itambi Rio Itambi starts approximately at 3,800 m as spurs of the Cusin volcano. The gorge, in which the Ita- bi falls as a cascade. has a deep boxed-in shape and later takes the shape of a “"V”. These shapes of the valley, the water bed of Rio Itambi, run along 10 km appro» ‘mately t0 open later to a fluvioglacier valley (Table 4). La Rinconada ravine and ejecta scree La Rinconada ravine is an area between 3,800 and 3,100 ‘masil, with a length of 8,750 m, and includes the head- substrate diversity Parameters | Krenal head- | Epiritral | Metarhithrak | Hyporitrak | Epipotamat: waters): Gorge- | V-shaped valley | Ejecta scree High sector of Low sector of Shaped valley the fuviogladal_| the fuvioglacal Itambi valley Itambi valley Atude nasi) [3800-3750 3750-2100 | 3100-2630 | zas0-2670 | 2a70-2600 lenge 1250 7500 3000 2400 ‘oo Geert) | >70 <70 <50 <3 <10 Meanvarer | <14°C 10-20m + > 10-30m ++» S-10m <— creck bed: ‘ Type of transversal [> 10-30m <— a profile nal | h fo-40 3m Longitudinal Cascades: a ‘top view: ‘top view Profle: coos hotam ee Bedstucure and y : Bankstrucure: | typical meodnd | ypkalmounain | Andeancapvegt- | Pastresand ned | Catal etands Vegetation on te | vegetation @pvetaton”” | onandpasues | shnbeaswind | andpasues tans beste Consructonsonte | None Usogetor id | None 3 houses bulin | 5 cement bigs tanks wat senda "Las egas Creek surounings | Hunan nenceis | Human nturces | 2lndsdesin | Pastwes and 0 ha | Tid and ste mimral rine! 199788 hate | offiuer ier: | neds stot cle | toyota | bowes Zac | cops aasaes located 100m from | roads; Cuvilche and | greenhouses for TRetgttbank ofa | Woaantcae | segeates gage ambi ‘covered with short | dump cycle crops and Eu- obptos plantations LLimnologica (2003) 33, 29-43Ecology of a high Andean stream, Rio Itambi, Otavalo, Ecuador waters of Rio Itambi. It is a V-shaped ravine, the epithithral (Table 4). The gradient in the ravine is > 70%. The width of the stream bed fluctuates between 2-5 m, with an increasing trend as the stream descends until it reaches an average of 10 m, Its width at water level during the dry season varies between 0.7 and 1 m. ‘The ejecta scree has a length of 3,000 m and a gradi- cent of < 45%; the width of the stream bed fluctuates be- tween 10-20 m, and the width at water level during the dry season is 1.5-2 m. Average annual flow is 0.36 m'/s, {at sampling station 1). The Rinconada ravine presents a profile with no anthropogenic impact and is classified by 4 Quality Degree (QD) of 1. The longitudinal and trans- verse profile, the bottom of the stream bed, bank struc- tures and the surrounding environment present a non al- tered condition, specially in what refers to La Rinconada ravine (quality index QI= 1). The environment that sur- rounds the ejecta scree is covered with graze lands and: hhas a QD = 2-7 (Table 5). 35 ‘The middle and low sectors ofthe fluvioglacial valley ate between 2,670 and 2,600 m a.s. with a longitude of 4,000 m, Gradient is < 10%. The with ofthe stream bed fluctuates between 2 and 5 m; it widens near the mouth to 10 m. The average annual flow at the mouth is 0.29 ms. Rio Itambi has a clearly affected stream bed, mainly because of stone deposits on both of its banks, and near the mouth there is a house in ruins which does not allow for a natural development of the creek. ‘The longitudinal profile of Rio Itambi is not affected in the upper part (QD = 1), but an anthropogenic effect ‘occurs in the high and low areas of the valley. In its lower part several inflow channels of sewage water and cement bridges are found. All these impacts are reason enough to have a QD = 5. The transversal profile is arti- ficial and box shaped. Upon altering the shape, depth of the profile has been affected as well. Only in sectors near the mouth does the profile present the natural dynamic ofa stream, Table 5. valuation of the main geomorphologic parameters of Ri tank quality deorees (QD) andthe mean ve the quality inex (Q, see abl 3 Riverbed| Longi- | Bed | Transversal | Banks’ | Surrounding area \ceomor devel- | tudinal | structure | profile structure | of the creek phologic ones opment | profile auatty = index ¢ fia) g 2 2 2 5 eee eee ee 4 Bi aNedfegiist ets a 2] glelglfjg/8/ 2) 2 /F & ¢ 5 Peete hLCUhUL Ll z 5 622 22/2/2)/ 25 (2 & a Z ravine]? [afi fififafa [a faa i ia seta ft) i] i fafa] 1 | 1 | 3 1 [environmennearsonks=2]6] 1.7 a Leftbank landscape = 7] 5 Rightbanklandcape = 5| 5 Wigharea fas | 2/5 | 25[ 2 | 1 faow=1/s0%-25[a0%=3 3 | enironmentnearbanks=2|7] 33 | 20% =5|20%=5 20% Lettbank landscape =7|7 Rghtbanklandscape =5|7 55] ss fas[a] 1 | 5 | 42 ]oow-3 2 Jemionmentnearbanis =2|7] 44 3 |tetbanklanescape = 77 rightbonclnescape = 5| 7 Limnologica (2003) 33, 20-43,36 P.Carrera Burneo & G. Gunkel ‘The majority of banks of Rio Itambi are covered by pastures; 500 m of the middle area banks are covered with cattail-straw, named Totora (Scirpus californicus), ‘hich is beneficial not only for improvement of streams, water quality, but also for increasing biodiversity. Bush- es planted in line as living fences to mark property limits are also found off and on. All these help to avoid bank erosion, thus 80% of the banks have a QD = 3, and 20% aQD=2. “The quality of the surrounding environment is strong- ly affected by intensive farming. Among civil structures built close to the stream there are first level roads and several channels that carry rain and sewage waters to Rio Itambi, Therefore the surrounding environment has been graded QD =5 107. According to the classification based on the principle of confluence (OrTo 1991), Rio Ttambi is a type 3 stream. Fig. 3 shows the biological classification of Rio Itambi based on the ecological zoning proposed by It- us (1961). Water quality evaluation ‘At the beginning ofthe rainy season and after having run over the Rinconada ravine, the water of Rio Itambi pre- sents an excellent quality (Table 6). During the dry sea- son its quality lowers and the water quality class (WQC) of Canter (1985) decreases from WQC = 1.5 to WOC 2.7, Table 7) due to current decrease, water damming in pools, temperature and BOD, increases; consequent ly, O, content inthe creck also decreases, causing anoxic conditions. The presence of fecal coliform in underground springs is surprising and varies between 3,000 and 4,000 CFU/100 mi (CEU = colonies forming units; Table 6). With the help of radioactive isotopes it has been estab- lished that the springs contain young water (non-pub- lished report of the Ecuadorian Atomic Energy Commi sion, 1998), which means that rain water, already pollut- ed with fecal material, filters through the ground into Rio Itambi and emerges it with a considerable amount of coliforms. Rio Itambi crosses almost 500 m of wetland com- posed of straw-cattail, called Totora (Scirpus califor- nnicus and Typha dominguensis). Parameters of water quality such as O, content increase after crossing the wetland; BOD, and fecal coliform content decrease (Table 6). According to the results of this research, it has been proven that this type of wetland improves water quality significantly. Because of this and of its ecologi- cal meaning, this sector of Rio ltambi has been graded with WOC= 18. During the dry season, O, concentration in the water of Rio Itambi varies drastically throughout the day. In station 1, O, concentration remained between 70% and 80%; the highest values were registered during the ‘morning, and the lowest values at night. Inthe lower course the water quality of Rio Itambi de- creases gradually (comparison of stations 8, 9 and 10, see Table 6): O, content decreases remarkably during the dry season reaching a water quality index of WQI = 3 (Table 7), BOD; notably increases during the dry season to WQL= 7; the Pyay Content increases to WQI = 5. The content of faecal coliforms increases both during the dry and rainy seasons to WQI = 7, demonstrating that San Pablo and Gonzalez Suérez streams (see Fig. 1) have a direct and negative influence on Rio Itambi’s water quality [—*Epirhithral igh current 3,750-3,100 mast 7'500.m lone KRENAL——>RHITHRAL Headsaters Highcurent High curent $3,810,780 m as covered by an eect 1.250'm long seree of slones 3,100-2.30'm al 53000 m long Lt Hyporhithral igh and mei in the Naviolacal valley ofthe ambi 2830-2670 mash, 2 [—>Metarhithral —*POTAMAL Epipotamal ‘Lower par of the erek inthe ‘uvioglacal alley ofthe ambi, 2670-2,600 m 4000 ong Non existent Hypopotamal [Non existent 400 m long Fig. 3. Bclogica dassfication of Ro tambi, according tothe ecolagical zoning of huss (1961). Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43Ecology of a high Andean stream, Rio ambi, Otavalo, Ecuador 37 Macrophytes logical floor (CANADAS 1983). Several native species were identified, such as “Pumamaqui” (Oreopanax Grouped in 50 families, 110 vascular plamt species were sodiroi), Ginoxis acostae, Aliso (Alnus acuminata) and found on the stream banks and their surroundings. Be- Myrcianthes rhopaloides. Itis common to find epiphytes side the Rinconada ravine, natural vegetation still exists such as orchids or bromeliads (Puya hamata) and also that corresponds to high mountainous humid forest eco- climbing plants of the Passifloraceae family (Passiflora Table 6. Chemica data of Rio tami during the rainy season (04-23-1999, yper part ofthe table) and dry season (08-19-1998, lower part ofthe table); CFU = colony forming units Station Temp. pH Cond. 0, 0, BOD, COD —P-total N-totalNtoUPtot Silica Fecal coliforms eo) uSiem) mg) (mgt) (mg) — (rg (mgt) (mal) (mga) (CFUIOO mi) 7 B67? 1%) «65S 553 <2 Beto We 8 cn 528 <2 3 144 75° 164 60126028 1.07 38 536 <2 OO Se) ss Oe iat) 7 13a 23 7 145 74 18 60) 808 G3 03612836 512 3,000, See ey 8 mh me i 533 700 9 131 74 328 58 1033251429 508 500,000 10 123-75 (23855768283 OTA SAT 398 3,000 NG. suewce 4ST S2ee 256 G1 18 138 320) A096) gt 528 500,000 12San oy EO eS 45.1 2,800,000 1 175 80268629], 759 <4 20 74 71 164 64 BRB tata 82.1 <5 3 0 75 215206 H1 OSB 21136 686 30 4 152 73 05D 52 SS 459 2 ee 506) ee ct 731 18 20 06, isi 2) 764 4,000 8 151 76 26721 BO 90031830 849 1000 ese 26a AG ect ie 07s ad 2) 703 800,000 1 181 75 8745 7H CHLDO1:56 3.0619, 613 10,000 116. Suez 132 78 326 49 68 19 552 255 3771S 933 1,200,000 12San Pablo 132 73 367 07 7% 9 206 3.1815 748 2,400,000 Table 7. Evaluation ofthe physical and chemical eter quality parameters by water quality indices (VQ) of Cae (1985). ttambi Tempe- pH Suspended 0, BOD, Pny Fecal Water Geomorphological eratur (Wl sediments (WQ!) —(WQI) (WA!) coliforms quality zones, (war) «wan (wan class (wan, RAINY SEASON Ravine) 1 2 1 1 2 2 a] 15 Gjecta see 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 W igh area ofthe fuvioglacalvalley 1 2 2 1 3 2 a 18 Low area ofthe fwioglecalvaley 1 2 4 2 3 4 5 3.0 DRY SEASON Ravine () 3 2 1 1 7 3 a 27 Ejecta sree 3 2 1 1 7 3 2 27 High are ofthe fvioglacalvaley 2 2 i 2 7 3 dj 28 Low ares ofthe favioglcial valley 1 2 3 fl 7 5 7 49 Limnologica (2008) 33, 29-4338 P Carrera Bumeo & G. Gunkel mixta, P. cumbatensis). Species typical of transition ecosystems such as “El Suro” (Chusguea scandens) and Bear hand (Gunnera spec.) were found, too. No aquatic ‘macrophytes were registered in the Rinconada ravine. Once Rio Itambi descends to the fluvioglacial valley, natural vegetation disappears to be replaced mostly by pasture and short cycle and intensive growth crops. Ha- cienda “Las Vegas” and small land owners use native plants to mark boundaries, among others “Milk man”, a Euphorbiacea (Euphorbia laurifolia), shrub, medium sized Caprifoliacese (Sambucus spp.) and Solanaceae (Brugmansia spp.) trees as well as Eucalyptus gobulus forests. The banks are covered by some species of Poaceae. Along Rio Itambi and close to the banks, watercress (Brassicaceae, Rorippia nasturtium-aquaticum) is tre- quently found, a typical plant of mesotrophic and eu- trophic streams (Table 8). Myriophyllum quitense (Haloragaceae) has also been registered, In certain deep spots of Rio Itambi, where water is not turbulent, Elodea potamogeton (Hydrocharitaceae) is frequently found. Cattail of the Cyperaceae Scirpus californicus is planted by indigenous for the manufacturing of mats, baskets, ete. This plant grows together with Typha dominguensis in a great wetland where Rio Itambi slow- ly flows through, and it aids in the growth of the Bacopa ‘monnieri (Scrophulariaceae) on the stream bed. In the river zone (Station 8), species of aquatic plants that are refuge and food for aquatic macroinvertebrates were found (e. g. Hyallela), among which the most common are Potamogeton pectinatus (Potamogetonaceae) and Ranunculus nubigenus (Ranunculaceae). These species are also used as food for pets ofthe indigenous. Table 8. Common aquatic plant families and species of Rio ambi Diatoms Fifteen species of diatoms, grouped in 6 ecological types according to HorMann (1994), were registered; the di- versity is low (Table 9). Only five species were abun- dant: Gomphonema parvulum cf. vat. excilissimum, Rhopalodia gibba vat. gibba, —Rhoicosphenia abbreviata, Fragilaria arcus vat, arcus, and Achnanthes lanceolata ssp. lanceolata. The bioindicator function of these diatom species is not clear. Inthe high sector of the Rio Itambi fluvioglacial valley, bioindicator species of the ofigo-B-mesotrophic to eutrophic state were regis- tered. A similar situation is given for the bioindication of saprophytic state; oligosaprophytic to c-mesosapro- phytic diatoms were found. In the medium and low sectors of the fluvioglacial valley very few species of diatoms were registered in Rio Itambi, and their bioindi- cation value was insignificant, Fauna ‘The macroinvertebrates registered in stations 1 and 2, the ejecta scree (see Table 1) were mostly Insecta, in total 10 families with 13 species (Table 10). Clean water species were registered with trophic condition from ‘oligotrophic to mesotrophic (Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera ‘and Trichoptera), Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera species were registered only during the dry season, and Tri- choptera were registered both during rainy and dry sea~ sons. The number of macroinvertebrate families in sta- tion 3 increased to 12. In stations 4 and 5 the number of insect families and gastropods has been reduced drasti- cally, In stations 6, 7, and 8 the number of insect families Family Species Description Brassicaceae Roopa nasturtiom-aquaticu Watercress, floating aquatic her, found an the stream banks Colvichiaceae _Caliriche heteropya Purs. Acuati her, usual found onthe stream bed and banks Gperaceae Sotpus clfornicus(CA, Mer) Seve. Aquatic pant, common in wetlands Heloragaceze ——_Myrophylura qutenseH 8K. Fioating aquatic er, grows ose to the banks Hyrochartaceae lode potamageton Beto ‘Water est underwater aquatic her, grows onthe steam bed idceae Orthasenttus chimboracenssKuvm in HBX. Barcr Het found in wetlands Sisyrinchium chiense Hoo. Heth found in wetlands Juncaceae Ditch muscoides Nes & Meren Aquatic herb Poygonacaeae Rumer acetosela Perennial aquatic herb Potamogetonaceae Potarageton pecinatusH Floating or submerged aquticher, on stream banks Ranunculaceae Rerunculs nybigenus Kuxtsin HK Floating aquatic herb Scrophulaiaceae Bacope monnerL ‘Aquatic her, usualy found in wetiands Caleolariachelanoides Kurs in HBX. Erected hab on seam banks Calceolaia perfoliata. Common ett on steam banks and beds aleeolariatlobata Hs. omen aquatic her, found in wetlands yphaceae Typha dominguenssL ‘Typical aquatic plant, found in wetands ‘Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43,Diversity Index Shanon ‘Wiener Ecology of a high Andean stream, Rio ambi, Otavalo, Ecuador 39 080 p—— +; 200 aa scmDwversiy -m-Stabore| |, eo fog + 200 os! ‘ : z I 2180 & oo | 3 030 020 0.10 136184 164 Length (km) Table 9. Diatoms of Ro tambi; MR Abundance: (4 some, ++ = frequent +4 Fig. 4. Maccinvertebrates diver- sity (Shannon-Wiener diversity index) and alttude of Ro amb, sampling stations 1-10. metathivl, HRY =high sector of the hypothital, HR? = lw sector of the hyporhial, EP = epipotamal Species MR HRI HR2—-EP ‘Trophic and saprophytic value Bioindicator species Gomphorema parvum ct var excissimum (Kurzns 1849) +++ 44+ (4) oligo-B-mesoraghent igosaprod Diatoma mesodon Koran 1880) + oligo, mesaraphent clige-Bmesosaprob opal gibbe var. gibbs(0. Mouse 1895) +H ()——_eatraphent ‘liga B mesosaprob ‘itaschia dubia (W. Sut 1853) + a Rhoicosphena abtreviata (ce Berar 1980} os ()—eutaphent B-mesosaprob_ Gumbel ura (e Hea, 1880) + eutaphent Brmesosaprob raqiaiaarcusvas arcus (Cie 1898) res tolerant Brmesosaprob unotia bari (Mus 1934) + tolerant Brmesosaprob Cocconesplacentula var. lineata Va Heucx 1880-1885) + + + tolerant Brmesosaprob (?) yore meneghiniana (Koran 1844) + + @ bella sinuata (Grecont 1858) + tolerant Bracmesosaprob ‘Achnanthes lanceolata sp. lanceolata (Linct-Bemact 1989) H+ + talent ceemesosaprob Pinnutaiagibba var. ibba (sreetas 1841) * eutraphent ca-mesosaprob \Non-bioindicator species ‘Achnanthes minutssia (aren 1833) toe Noe ‘Melos varians (AcaRo# 1827) $e None Unidentified species Achnanthes spp (Bor 1822) + + None Epitheria spec. (Basson ex Koren 1844) + None Fraqileria spp. (eve 1819) eR Name Navicula spp. Bows De St Vincent 1822} + + None Gomphonera spc. (Enrewers 1832) + + None Nitschia spp. (Estes 1838) +e None Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43,40 P.Carrera Burneo & G. Gunkel Table 10. Macroinvertebrates of Ro Itambi, Phylum Order Family Species Rhithral Epipo- Wet Dry tamal_ season season ‘Annelida Oigochaets—_Tubfidae Tubierspec x x «x Hiudnidae Hud spec. x x Anteopoda —Hemiptee——_Covxdae Centocoia spec. x x Insecta Notonectidae _Natonecta spec. x Saleidae Miacontia huis x Velidae Microveia spec x Diptera Gulile Calexspec. x x x x Chionomidse ——Cironomusspec. x ee Dolchopacidae — Aptrespussoec x x Simulidae ‘Simul spe. x Tipuidse Tipe (Belercina spec. x x x x Coleoptera Gytnidae Gwin spec. x ee x Dytscidae Dytscussoec. x x x Thermonects sec. x ee Etrinae Gyloeous spec. x x x Disersusspec x Carabidae 1 species x x x Hydropilidae 1 species x x Odonata Gomghidae- 1 species x x x x Aeshnidae Aeshna inicata 4 ‘esha (esperaeshna)marchal =x x x x ‘Aeshna (Mamaaestna) vgint/puntata x 6 65 3 libeluidae ——_‘Sympetrumifloum x x x Ephemeroptea Bactidae Baetsspec x oe Baetoes spec. x x x x Tichoptere ——_Glesssomatidae Martane spec. x x x Protopila spec. x x x x Leptoceridae _Aranatolica spec x Be Helcopsjchidee —Hecopsyche borealis x x x x Hydrobiosinge —Atpsyche spec. x ao Pecoptera —_Padae “Anacroneuta pec x x Molusca Gastropoda —Panorbdae-——_—Helsomaspec. x x Helsoma dry x x x Plnorbela spec. x x Pnocbisspc x x x x Grout betes! x ee Tropicobis spec. x x Physidae Physasp. x ee Physela (Pty) x x x x Hycrobidee ——Hycrabiasp. x x x x Bivahia Pisididae Sphaerum or Eypera spec x x x x Nematomoipha Goines Gordidae 2species es Plathelminthes Tubelara Panaridae Dupes spec. x x x x wstacea—Amphipoda—Hyalelidse ——_—Ayaelaspec x ee yale dertatavax. ners x x increased and new families appeared: Nematomorpha, _ The diversity of macroinvertebrates in the Rio Itambi lathelminthes, and Crustacea. In stations 9 and 10 the is clearly reduced in the middle and low fluvioglacial number of insect families and gastropods was reduced valley; here the diversity value (Shannon-Wiener index) and mainly Oligochaeta, Nematomorpha, and Plathel- fluctuates between 0.38 and 0.63, and diversity in the ‘minthes families were found, Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43 Rinconada ravine is < 0.38 (Fig. 4).cology of a high Andean stream, Rio ambi, Otavalo, Ecuador 41 Discussion Ecological zoning and dynamic In spite of its short length (17 km), Rio Itambi is a stream with a well defined geographical zoning, accord- ing to the biogeographic classification of ILL1ES (1961). However, certain difficulties are encountered in what relers to the temperature of the zone known as epipota- ‘mal of the Rio Itambi average temperature never ex- ceeded 20°C. Nevertheless, both macroinvertebrate species and physical characteristics of Rio Itambi (width, depth, substrate) correspond to those ofthe epipotamal. In Rio Ttambi there is a real ecological zoning that is well marked by physical, chemical and biological pa- rameters, and zones with diferent biological processes can be characterized. Tk1igs (1964) and Hynes (1971) research in South American countries shows that there are physical-chem- ical changes along the longitudinal axis of a strean ‘which in turn influence structure and composition of the communities. Parameters stich as altitude have a direct effect on water temperature. Water temperature changes affect not only vertebrates and fish, but also structure ‘and composition of macroinvertebrate communities, specially insects and mollusc in larva state (ROLDAN 1996; SeMnas 2000) In the Rocky Mountains Isaac & Huser (2001) proved that there is a very close relation between moun- tain streams and the environment. This strong interac- tion allows the development of several types of gradi- ents, originated mainly by one-way geomorphologic ‘changes that occur along a body of water and that mainly affect the current and the gradient of the stream, Rio Itambi is born as a waterfall in the Cusin moor- land, with a gradient of > 70% and a substrate of large stones, neither vascular plants nor macroinvertebrates have been registered. This is possibly due to stochastic events such as landslides and strong rains, that washed off the little organic material that may have accumulated between stones of the substrate. This indicates that geo- ‘morphology ofthe streams has an important role in hal tat structure, which may either favor aquatic life or not. Another important physical factor for high Andean water bodies in tropical zones is the altitude, which causes a decrease in O, concentration in the atmosphere. Consequently, O, concentration in water is also de- creased; oxygen saturation level is 6.7 mg/l at 15 °C and 3,000 m as. High Andean streams are more sensitive to oxygen consuming processes than similar creeks of tem- perate zones. O; concentration in water represents a crit- ical factor for occurrence of organisins in high Andean streams. This research shows that at an altitude of 2.830 m in a natural, anthropogenic not influenced section of Rio Itambi, O; concentration of <5 mg/l occurs; and in the lower course of the Rio Itambi a decrease of oxy- zen due to consumption and day/night cycles of primary production takes place. Only running water species that have adapted to low oxygen conditions and that tolerate sudden changes in oxygen concentration are able to sur- vive in this zone. ‘Neotropical streams with effluents coming from high «areas of mountain ranges possess @ high concentration of sediments resulting from strong erosion and from mass movements and landslides that occur in a stochastic way (ROLDAN 1992), Nearly 32% of the Rio Itambi catch- ‘ment basin surface is subjected to an active and very ac- live erosion; this factor has a determinant influence on high Andean creeks such as Rio Itambi. Such ecosys- tems are in permanent change and remodelling as a re- sult of sediment load like it was seen in Rio Itambi. Landslides completely alter stream morphology. conse- quently developing new habitats. Each landslide is catastrophic event and is a new beginning of a biological succession, Macroinvertebrates diversity Studies such as those carried out by JACOBSEN (1998), JACOBSEN & ENCALADA (1998) and MONAGHAN et al (2000) coincide with the results ofthis study, in that bi- otic communities of high Andean streams are composed mainly of insect families, and that they vary in their composition according to altitude gradient. In general, a few species with few individuals were registered in the sampling stations along Rio Ttambi; however, in some stations such as 4, 5, 7 and 9, the re- duction of species was significant, which indicates that these spots are subjected to stress factors (i.e. low Oz concentration, suspended sediments, flow rate varie: tion). In this type of ecosystems only tolerant species can be found, and the inexistence of sensitive and spe- cialized species is obvious. Average diversity values of 0.4 obtained with the Shannon-Wiener index indicate that there exists a very low biodiversity. “Macroinvertebrates diversity is influenced by struc- tural dynamic, water physical parameters (Wide scatter- ing of water current due to dry and rainy seasons) and chemical parameters, mainly oxygen content and sus- pended sediments. High diversity is promoted by geo- morphologic and physical characteristics and by the high habitat diversity of Rio ltambi ‘When Rio Itambi crosses the cattail wetland (Scirpus californicus), water quality minimum values of O, are increased and BOD, is reduced (see Table 6). Due to this improvement in water quality the number of species in- creases downstream the wetland. The influence of sewage water input is recognizable at stations 9 and 10; ©, concentration decreases, BODs increases, and as a ‘Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43,42 P.Carrera Burneo & G, Gunkel consequence the number of macroinvertebrate species is reduced. ‘The low diversity registered in Rio Itambi is due to the isolated location of a cold water stream in the tropi- cal zone and the covering by a glacier during the Pleis- tocene; this originated the Itambi valley. ‘At present, some new factors stich as erosion, gradi- ent, and water quality influence the diversity of macroin- vertebrates inthe stream; e.g. high and turbulent currents caused by the gradient, with a high suspended load, and a direct damage of the organisms; an impact of propaga tion as well as a high organism drift must be assumed. Suspended sediments are deposited in places where Rio Itambi presents a moderate gradient, burying the habitats. Some other factors have a negative influence on the fauna diversity of Rio Itambi: pollution with sewage waters and the isolated position of Rio Itambi in the Inter-Andean valley, which make migration process- ces harder, ‘The determination of diatoms points out that there exists a low diversity, only some species were found in large numbers. Classifying them by their bioindicator ability with a trophic and saprophytic value did not help to clar~ ify the biological distribution and classification of the Rio Itambi, as was expected upon applying the diatoms species differential system (Lance-Bertator 1979; Horan 1994), Low diversity and diatoms with a low bioindicator value limit the application of this system, ‘The applicability ofthe trophic and saprophytic bioindi- 1g system of European species to South American species populations is extremely limited, because sub- species may have developed different reactions to vari- us environmental pressures. This means that itis urgent to develop a South American diatom system in which their origin and possible bioindication capacity is known (see also LaNGE-BERTALOT 1998). Summary Ahigh Andean stream in the equatorial zone of Ecuador, Rio ambi, located at 2,600 to 4.600 m a. s.L., was studied to de- serie the physical strcture, water chemistry and biodiversity Rio lambi, main inflow of Lago San Pablo, has. a length of 17 km and a'catchment basin of 11,271 ha; its annual flow amounts to 0,07-0.5 ms. ‘The Rio Ttambi catchment basin is characterized by the high voteanie sierra (3,604,000 m a,s4.) with > 70% gra ents, the hilly medium voleanic sierra (3,600-2,800 m a.s..) With slopes from 50-70%, and the low volcanic sierra (1,500-2,800 m asi) with >20-50% gradients. At 2,600-2,800 m a... lake deposits form terrace with Lago San Pablo. [Limnologica (2003) 33, 29-43 ‘The geomorphologic structure of the ambi consists of five zones, krenal as a gorge-shaped valley, epichithral as a V- shaped valley, metashithral as an ejecta scree, hyporhithral as the high sector of the fluvioglacial valley and epipotamal as the low sector ofthe fluvioglacial valley. ‘Stream structure is evaluated using a modification of the German method, with six main parameters: quality indices of stceam bed development, longitudinal profile, transversal pro- file, bed structure, banks structure and surrounding area ‘Nowadays Rio Itambi is impacted by different anthropogenic activities, and quality degrees of main parameters vary from 1 (natural) to7 (totally affected). ‘The study of the water quality of Rio Kambi is based on a ‘monthly monitoring, and a comparison of the rainy and dry seasons is given, An impact on quality is caused by human ac- tivity, mainly sewage input and contamination of groundwater by coliform bacteria, Natural processes such as low oxygen saturation level, occurrence of high flow rates during the rainy season as well as of extremely reduced flow rates during the dy season, and a high sediment load due to erosion and land- slides affect the biocoenosis, ‘The flora of stream banks is formed by 110 vascular plant species, but only inthe high sierra is some natural vegetation preserved, Euphorbia laurifolia marking boundaries and Eu- cealyptus globulus forests are common in the lower area Stream banks are covered with Poaceae. A wetland is formed by Scirpus californicus and Typha dominguensis. ‘Aquatic flora consists of ten species, indicating a very re- duced biodiversity; among others Posaniogetan pectinatus, ‘Ranunculus nubigenus and Rorippia nasturtin-aguaticum. Only 15 species of diatoms occur in Rio ltambi abundant species are Goniphonema parsulum ef. vat. excilissimur, Rhopalodia gibba var. gibba, Rhoicosphenia abbreviata, Fragilaria arcus var. arcus, and Achnanthes lanceolata ssp. lanceolata. The bioindicator function of diatom species eannot be applied because ofthe low diversity as well as of low indi- cation significance: bioindicator species of oligo-B- mesotrophic to eutrophic state and of oligosaprophytic to a ‘mesosaprophytic conditions were found. “Macroinvertebraes in the upper course of Rio Itambi were mostly Insecta, with 10 families and 13 species. In the lower part the number of insect families increases and new families such as Nematomorpha, Plathelminthes, Oligochaeta, and Crustacea appear. The biodiversity of aquatic organisms (macrophytes, di- toms, macroinvertebrates) is very low. In the upper part of the stream this seems to be an effect of low oxygen saturation val- ‘ues and landslides that remodel the stream bed, and in lower part of the stream it is due to anthcopogenie damage caused by sewage input Acknowledgements ‘This investigation was supported by the Pontificia Universi- dad Catética del Ecuador (PUCE). Water chemical analyses were kindly carried out atthe laboratory ofthe Subsecretaria de Saneamiento de Quito, Diatom analyses were cartied out by Dr. Cava BeULKeR, Berlin, and macroinvertebrate determi- nation was done by Dr. Mopesto CoRRFos0, Quito. 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