Macroinvertebrates in low-order streams in two fragments of Atlantic Forest in different states of conservation, in the State of São Paulo (Brazil).

The presence of a riparian forest is one of the main factors that act directly on the ecology of a fluvial system, and the relation of the forest and the lotic environments might have an important influence on the distribution of the macroinvertebrates. In this context, the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in four low-order streams in São Paulo (Brazil) were analysed, with the aim of assessing the state of recovery of the surrounding forest fragments. The benthic organisms were sampled in the winter, a period of low rainfall. Of the 6,331 specimens of macroinvertebrates collected, 124 taxa belonging to 48 families were identified. The results showed greater diversity in the Canchim Farm streams and greater abundance in the Lake Park streams. Cluster analysis showed that the stream Canchim distanced itself from the others, being considered reference.