Seasonal Variations in Macrobenthos Communities and Their Relationship with Environmental Factors in the Alpine Yuqu River

This study investigated the spatial and temporal variations of macrobenthos community structure in the Yuqu River Basin during the dry and wet seasons due to environmental factors. This study quantified the independent and interactive contributions of hydrophysical, hydrochemical, and climatic factors to the community structure through a variance decomposition analysis (VPA). The study findings indicate that during May (the dry season), factors such as water depth, flow velocity, dissolved oxygen, and air temperature exhibit relatively minor fluctuations, rendering the aquatic environment more stable than in the rainy season. This stability is particularly conducive to the maintenance of the macrobenthic community structure and species diversity, which is especially evident in aquatic insects with nesting habits, such as those belonging to the Trichoptera order (including genera like Glossosoma, Glossosomatidae, and Georodes). In contrast, during August (the rainy season), substantial precipitation alters the thermal conditions of the river, increases flow velocity, raises water levels, and introduces a significant influx of organic matter through sedimentation. This distinctive ecological environment fosters unique adaptive strategies among macrobenthic organisms. Notwithstanding a notable decline in species diversity during this particular phase, there is a concurrent increase in the abundance of individual organisms, which is indicative of the populations’ remarkable capacity to swiftly adapt to environmental heterogeneity. Research has demonstrated that macrobenthic communities within the Yuqu River Basin adopt pronounced adaptive tactics that vary significantly between seasons. During the dry season, these macrobenthic fauna rely heavily on the stability of their physical habitat. In stark contrast, they are compelled to navigate and cope with the more intricate and dynamic changes in hydrological and chemical conditions that characterize the rainy season. The presented results uncover the sensitive responsiveness of the macrobenthic fauna to seasonal hydrological and environmental fluctuations in high-altitude river systems and their adaptive strategies under diverse ecological stressors. Arthropods, in particular, exhibit a marked sensitivity to seasonal hydrological and environmental changes. This study delves into the biodiversity of high-altitude river ecosystems, analyzing the ecological environment and the distribution patterns and seasonal variation characteristics of macrobenthic communities. This study aims to examine how diverse seasons and hydroclimatic conditions modulate the composition of macrobenthic assemblages within the tributaries and principal channels of high-altitude river systems, thereby establishing a foundational reference for future water ecosystem assessments in such regions.