Análise Quali-quantitativa da Comunidade da Meiofauna em Açude de Grande Exploração Hídrica.

Abstract

Artificial reservoirs, known as “açudes”, are widely used for water storage by communities living in semi-arid regions, especially during periods of drought when water demand becomes more intense. In the Curimataú region of Paraíba, Brazil, the water crisis is strongly associated with prolonged droughts and the intense use of local reservoirs, resulting in water scarcity. Meiofauna has been widely used as a bioindicator of environmental quality, since it responds quickly to physicochemical variations in the habitat. Therefore, this study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the meiofauna community of the Pedra Vermelha reservoir, located in the municipality of Baraúna, Paraíba, a reservoir subjected to significant hydric stress. The analysis was performed through the evaluation of frequency of occurrence, relative abundance, and density of taxa. Meiofauna organisms were collected during two sampling periods, October and Źecember 2024, during the dry season, at four sampling points within the reservoir. The results presented in the graphs indicate changes in the structure of the meiofaunal community, reflecting environmental pressure caused by water exploitation and the reduction in water availability.