Composition, Distribution, and Abundance of Macroinvertebrates as Basis for Water Quality Classification of the Cagayan De Oro River

Macroinvertebrates in the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were sampled during the rainy season, between May 2013 – August 2013 utilizing the kick sampling technique and the procedures in the Multi-Habitat Freshwater Protocol Field Guide by Globe 2010. The physical parameters such as temperature, current, and depth were accounted for differences in the variation of taxonomic richness, species composition and total abundance of the four stations. All the stations were dominated mostly by Gerris remigis (37. 5%) followed by Elimia sp. (11.71%) and Diplacodes triviales under Odonata and Ochiterus (6.25%) under Hemiptera. Percentage abundance of Annelida is low (.75%) and they included Lumbricus terrestris. High human activities along Station 2 that released wastes towards the River account for the poor species richness. The Water Quality and Pollution Sensitivity of the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were determined using the Pollution Tolerant Index. Station 2 had the lowest water quality score of 18.6, indicating poor water quality. Station 1 and Station 4 both have scores at the range of 20 – 40, showing a “Fair†water quality. The total average water quality score of the Cagayan de Oro River is 31.35 revealing that the river’s water quality is fair.

 

Keywords: Macroinvertebrates, Composition, Distribution, Abundance, Bioindicators, Water Quality, Pollution Sensitivity, and Cagayan de Oro River.