Crustáceos bentónicos y macrófitos como indicadores de calidad ecológica en los lagos de los Andes Australes de Ecuador

The taxonomic composition of the litoral benthic limnetic crustacean communities, (branchiopods, copepods and ostracods) and macrophytes of the lacustrine water bodies of the Cajas National Park located in the Southern Andes of Ecuador have been studied in order to identify the most suitable taxa to be used as indicators of the ecological status of lakes. Among the crustaceans (22 taxa) three groups were differentiated. A first group with taxa of higher indicator value including Branchinecta papillata, Ilyocryptus spinosus, Alonella sp, Pleuroxus sp. Paralona pigra and Alona sp. gr. manueli. A second group with medium indicator value including Alona glabra, Alona guttata, Microcyclops sp. Eucyclops sp. and Paracyclops sp. The third group was formed by taxa of the lower indicator value, either because of its eurioic and / or cosmopolitan character or because of its rarity. Macrophytes have been evaluated as good indicators of the ecological and conservation status of the lakes. The taxa which were submerged, floating and rooted in the sediment were identified to be a good indicator for the water body, and helophytes and hygrophytes for the limnetic litoral zone.