En el presente estudio se aportan nuevos datos sobre los insectos acuáticos, en particular Odonata, Coleoptera y Hemiptera recolectados estacionalmente desde el otoño de 2015 hasta la primavera de 2018 en un total de 20 estaciones de muestreo en la cuenca mediterránea del río Martil en el noroeste de Marruecos. El estudio taxonómico de 6 596 individuos perteneciendo a estos tres órdenes y recogidos durante el estudio, ha permitido destacar la presencia de 61 géneros, 27 familias y 102 especies repartidos en 13 especies de odonatos, 65 especies de coleópteros y 24 de hemípteros. De estas especies, Helophorus atlantis es nueva cita para el Rif, Hydroporus memnonius e Hydroporus rifensis lo son para el Rif Occidental, mientras que Zygonyx torridus, Peltodytes caesus, Agabus conspersus, Deronectes theryi, Hydrochus grandicollis, Gerris brasili, Hebrus pusillus, Parasigara rivularis y Notonecta obliqua se citan por primera vez en la cuenca del río Martil. La riqueza y abundancia de los tres órdenes fue mayor en primavera y principios de verano en comparación con otoño e invierno. El análisis biogeográfico muestra que los coleópteros, odonatos, y hemípteros de la cuenca del rio Martil están constituidos fundamentalmente por elementos mediterráneos (52%) y paleárticos (31%), mientras que los elementos de amplia difusión constituyen una minoría (17%). La composición taxonómica exhibió una fuerte variabilidad entre estaciones de muestreo y del año en respuesta a los niveles de intermitencia y presiones humanas, tales como actividades agrícolas, industriales y urbanas, construcción de represas y proyectos de rehabilitación que operan al nivel del río Martil alterando su estado ecológico y creando una buena oportunidad para el establecimiento de especies exóticas como Trichocorixa verticalis verticalis.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Martil River rehabilitation project and recently constructed dam infrastructures to reduce flood risks and to promote local socio-economic development on the ecological integrity of the river. The assessment focused on changes in fluvial landforms over time and the evaluation of aquatic ecosystems based on six physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand), morpho-hydrological variables (stream width, water depth, and current speed), habitat indices (QBR, IHF, and MQI), and macroinvertebrate assemblages of EPT, OCH, and Chironomidae (Diptera) at five stations from autumn 2015 to spring 2018 (prior to and during the rehabilitation actions). The results showed that the river rehabilitation project led to profound changes in Martil River’s ecosystem and water quality over time. Physicochemical and habitat measurements at the rehabilitated sites revealed a major change in macroinvertebrate communities due to changes in fluvial landforms in relation to flow-sediment regimes. As a result, some typical species of lentic habitats disappeared, while alien, opportunistic, and lotic species appeared.

This study monitored the physicochemical and microbiological quality of six rivers in the coastal Oueds Basin between Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco, to assess seasonal variations in water quality, identify pollution sources, and evaluate the efficacy of water quality indices (CCME-WQI and WGQI)...

This study investigates the responses of endemic macroinvertebrate species in the Martil River Basin (Morocco) to physic o chemical (T, pH, Cond and DO), land use, biotic indices (IBMWP, IHF and QBR), and hydro-morphological factors. Sampling was conducted over four seasons (2017) at 19 stations, revealing 1,768 individuals belonging to 32 endemic species. Hydro p syche iberomaroccana was the most abundant species, while Choroterpes volubilis was the most widespread. Biogeographical analysis highlighted a high proportion of Ibero-Maghrebian endemics. Multivariate analyses revealed significant biotypological differences among stream types, with sensitive endemic species predominantly found in highland / midland permanent stations, positively correlated with dissolved oxygen, altitude, and biotic indices. In contrast, lentic, thermophilic, and eurytopic species were more common in downstream areas, exposed to agricultural, industrial, and urban activities, and associated with higher temperatures and pollution levels. Seasonal and spatial variability in taxonomic composition was strongly influenced by hydr o logical intermittency and human pressures, with endemic species diversity and abundance peaking in spring. Despite their ec o logical importance, with the exception of Odonata, none of the species from other orders are currently listed on the IUCN Red List or in Annex IV of Moroccan Law 29-05 concerning the protection of wild flora and fauna species and the control of their trade. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to address threats from climate change, habitat degradation, and anthropogenic activities.