Contribution to the knowledge of nutrient and energy flow in a tropical aquatic ecosystem, case of Palacé river, municipality of Totoró (Cauca).

Abstract

A study was carried out between December 1989 and July 1990 with the basic objective of establishing the physical, chemical and biological hybrid characteristics of a sector of the Palacé river, municipality of Totoró, Cauca, Colombia, and to define some ecological relationships in the flow of nutrients and energy in the aquatic ecosystem. The total heterotrophic bacterial population averaged 62,968 org/100mL. Thirty-four genera of epilithic and periphytic algae were detected, being Synedra (CHRYSOPHYTA) (48.8%) the dominant one. The total algal population was estimated at 254,888 org/100mL. A total of 2026 specimens of aquatic macroinvertebrates corresponding to 43 genera were collected, with Anacroneuria (PLECOPTERA) (33.7%) being the dominant one. The study of the oral apparatuses of the organisms found allowed us to identify them as chewers, detritivores and grazers on algae and lower plants. The overall diversity index was calculated at 3.4 for this type of organisms. The surrounding forest contributes 6.9 tons/ha/year (dry weight) of organic matter, with leaves being the largest contributor to the water ecosystem. Of the material produced, 47.6% (3.3 tons/ha/year) reaches the waters of the Palacé River and serves as a food source for the settled communities. The production of native nutritive material is based on epilithic communities formed mainly by mosses of the Sphagnum genus and phycological associations.

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