Benthic Macroinvertebrates of Pangani River Basin, northeastern Tanzania

Grite Nelson Mwaijengo; Issakwisa Bernard Ngondya; Linus Munishi; Hulda Gideon; Ally Mohamed Ally; Clean Bernard

doi:10.15468/yfv6qs

Benthic Macroinvertebrates of Pangani River Basin, northeastern Tanzania

Citation

Mwaijengo G N, Ngondya I B, Munishi L, Gideon H, Ally A M, Bernard C (2023). Benthic Macroinvertebrates of Pangani River Basin, northeastern Tanzania. Version 1.10. TanBIF. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/yfv6qs accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-12.

Description

Located along the slopes of the highest mountain in Africa Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,985 m.a.s.l) and Mount Meru (4,566 m.a.s.l), Pangani River Basin is endowed with considerable freshwater resources that include lakes, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and man-made reservoirs (PBWO/IUCN, 2007a; IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Programme, 2009). The basin forms an important hotspot of freshwater biodiversity with an outstanding reservoir of freshwater plant and animal species (PBWO/IUCN, 2007b; URT, 2014; Seeteram et al., 2019). The Pangani River Basin covers approximately 43,650 km2, with 95% of this area being in Tanzania and the remainder in Kenya (PBWO/IUCN, 2007a; IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Programme, 2009). The basin is a home to Arusha national park, Kilimanjaro national park, Mkomazi national park, Amani Nature Reserve (Key Biodiversity Area) and the extensive Eastern Arc mountain forests (PBWO/IUCN, 2007b; URT, 2014). Given that Pangani River basin is of high ecological importance to the region (PBWO/IUCN, 2007); renowned for high species richness and endemism across multiple taxonomic groups (VPO, 2015; Seeteram et al., 2019). Therefore, access to reliable, and ready to use freshwater biodiversity data is vital to guide policy formulation and decision-making processes for sustainable utilization and management of the freshwater resources in the basin. This dataset presents data on the occurrence of freshwater macroinvertebrates from rivers and stream in the Pangani River Basin in the northeastern-Tanzania. The macroinvertebrates occurrence data were obtained from river assessment programs with the aim of assessing the ecological integrity of the Malala River, Tengeru River, Makumira River, Magadirisho River, Ghona River, Dehu River, Soko River, Ruvu River, Ngaresero River, Usa River, Maji ya chai River, Kikafu River, Rau River, Umbwe River, Karanga River, Weruweru River, and Lumbanga River of the Pangani River Basin (Mwaijengo et al., 2020). In total, the dataset covers the period between 2014 and 2018, and contains 18459 records and 71 observed (families). Since biological water-quality monitoring programs based on macroinvertebrates aim to assess the ecological water quality for decision-making, this dataset presents vital information for the conservation and management of river ecosystems in the northeastern Tanzanian region. The mobilization and preparation of this dataset was funded by JRS Biodiversity Foundation through Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

Sampling Description

Study Extent

The macroinvertebrates were observed from 17 river ecosystems i.e., Malala River, Tengeru River, Makumira River, Magadirisho River, Ghona River, Dehu River, Soko River, Ruvu River, Ngaresero River, Usa River, Maji ya chai River, Kikafu River, Rau River, Umbwe River, Karanga River, Weruweru River, and Lumbanga River of the Pangani River Basin, northeastern Tanzania.

Sampling

Macroinvertebrates taxa presented in this dataset were collected during the implementation of the VLIR-UOS project “Sustainable Management of Soil and Water for the Improvement of Livelihoods in the Upper Pangani River River Basin, Tanzania”, Grant number ZIUS2013AP029. The macroinvertebrates were collected 17 rivers (i.e., Malala River, Tengeru River, Makumira River, Magadirsho River, Ghona River, Dehu River, Soko River, Ruvu River, Ngaresero River, Usa River, Maji ya chai River, Kikafu River, Rau River, Umbwe River, Karanga River, Weruweru River, and Lumbanga River) in the Pangani River Basin between June 2014 and October 2018 in both dry and wet seasons. The macroinvertebrates were sampled in a semi-quantitative way using a kick net of 1mm mesh size on a 30-cm square frame following the TARISS sampling protocol (Kaaya et al., 2015). Samples were collected from the dominant habitat type present at each site (i.e., the habitat that covers about 70% of the 50 m stretch making up the river section at the site). Sampled habitat types included (i) stones in-current (cobbles, boulders and bedrock), (ii) vegetation/macrophyte, and (iii) gravel/sand/mud (GSM). Stones and GSM habitats were sampled for one minute by kicking, turning or scraping them with the feet, whilst continuously sweeping the net through the disturbed area. The vegetation/macrophyte habitat was sampled by pushing the net vigorously and repeatedly against and through the vegetation over an area of approximately two meters. All individuals in a sample were counted and identified to the family level following different identification keys (Croft, 1986; Davies and Day, 1998; Gerber and Gabriel, 2002).

Quality Control

We collated all the macroinvertebrates data into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets according to the Darwin-Core standard i.e., following Darwin's core quick reference guide. We verified the taxonomic nomenclature using the “species matching” tool available on the GBIF website (https://www.gbif.org/tools/species-lookup). To ensure data adherence to Darwin Core standards we performed data cleaning. We used the data validator tool available on the GBIF website (https://www.gbif.org/tools/data-validator) to identify missing or incorrect information in our dataset. The two tools used are open-source software.

Method steps

Macroinvertebrates taxa presented in this dataset were collected during the implementation of the VLIR-UOS project “Sustainable Management of Soil and Water for the Improvement of Livelihoods in the Upper Pangani River River Basin, Tanzania”, Grant number ZIUS2013AP029. The macroinvertebrates were collected from eleven rivers (i.e., Malala River, Tengeru River, Makumira River, Magadirsho River, Ngaresero River, Usa River, Maji ya chai River, Ghona River, Ruvu River, Dehu River, and Soko River) in the Pangani River Basin between June 2014 and May 2016 in both dry and wet seasons. The macroinvertebrates were sampled in a semi-quantitative way using a kick net of 1mm mesh size on a 30-cm square frame following the TARISS sampling protocol (Kaaya et al., 2015). Samples were collected from the dominant habitat type present at each site (i.e., the habitat that covers about 70% of the 50 m stretches making up the river section at the site). Sampled habitat types included (i) stones in-current (cobbles, boulders and bedrock), (ii) vegetation/macrophyte, and (iii) gravel/sand/mud (GSM). Stones and GSM habitats were sampled for one minute by kicking, turning, or scraping them with the feet, whilst continuously sweeping the net through the disturbed area. The vegetation/macrophyte habitat was sampled by pushing the net vigorously and repeatedly against and through the vegetation over an area of approximately two meters. All individuals in a sample were counted and identified to the family level following different identification keys (Croft, 1986; Davies and Day, 1998; Gerber and Gabriel, 2002). We collated all the macroinvertebrates data into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets according to the Darwin-Core standard i.e., following Darwin's core quick reference guide. We verified the taxonomic nomenclature using the “species matching” tool available on the GBIF website (https://www.gbif.org/tools/species-lookup). To ensure data adherence to Darwin Core standards we performed data cleaning. We used the data validator tool available on the GBIF website (https://www.gbif.org/tools/data-validator) to identify missing or incorrect information in our dataset. The two tools used are open-source software.

Taxonomic Coverages

This dataset present macroinvertebrate assemblages observed in the 17 rivers in the Pangani River Basin between June 2014 and October 2018. The dataset contains a total of 18459 occurrences belonging to 70 families. The main taxonomic groups in this dataset are Araneae, Arhynchobdellida, Cerithimorpha, Coleoptera, Decapoda, Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Haplotaxida, Hemiptera, Hygrophila, Lepidoptera, Megaloptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Sphaeriida, Trichoptera, Tricladida, and Trombidiformes.

Aeshnidae
rank: family
Argyronetidae
rank: family
Astacidae
rank: family
Athericidae
rank: family
Atyidae
rank: family
Baetidae
rank: family
Belostomatidae
rank: family
Caenidae
rank: family
Calopterygidae
rank: family
Ceratopogonidae
rank: family
Chironomidae
rank: family
Chlorocyphidae
rank: family
Coenagrionidae
rank: family
Corixidae
rank: family
Corydalidae
rank: family
Culicidae
rank: family
Dixidae
rank: family
Dryopidae
rank: family
Dytiscidae
rank: family
Ecnomidae
rank: family
Elmidae
rank: family
Empididae
rank: family
Ephemerythidae
rank: family
Gerridae
rank: family
Gomphidae
rank: family
Gyrinidae
rank: family
Haliplidae
rank: family
Hebridae
rank: family
Helotidae
rank: family
Heptageniidae
rank: family
Hirudinidae
rank: family
Hydracarina
rank: family
Hydrophilidae
rank: family
Hydropsychidae
rank: family
Hydroptilidae
rank: family
Leptoceridae
rank: family
Leptophlebiidae
rank: family
Libellulidae
rank: family
Lymnaeidae
rank: family
Mesoveliidae
rank: family
Muscidae
rank: family
Naucoridae
rank: family
Nepidae
rank: family
Noteridae
rank: family
Notonemouridae
rank: family
Oligochaeta
rank: family
Oligoneuriidae
rank: family
Perlidae
rank: family
Philopotamidae
rank: family
Physidae
rank: family
Planariidae
rank: family
Planorbidae
rank: family
Pleidae
rank: family
Polymitarcyidae
rank: family
Potamonautidae
rank: family
Psephenidae
rank: family
Psychodidae
rank: family
Psychomyiidae
rank: family
Pyralidae
rank: family
Sciomyzidae
rank: family
Simuliidae
rank: family
Sphaeriidae
rank: family
Synlestidae
rank: family
Syrphidae
rank: family
Tabanidae
rank: family
Thiaridae
rank: family
Tipulidae
rank: family
Torridincolidae
rank: family
Tricorythidae
rank: family
Veliidae
rank: family

Geographic Coverages

The Pangani River basin is located along 36ᵒ20'E to 39ᵒ02'E Longitude and 02ᵒ55'S to 05ᵒ40'S Latitude in the northeastern Tanzania. The drainage area of the Pangani River basin about 43,650 km2 (95% of it lies in Tanzania and the remainder in Kenya), and the main river channel is 500 km long. The Pangani river rises as a series of small streams on the southern sides of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, and passes through arid Maasai steppe, draining the Pare and Usambara mountain ranges (Mkomazi and Luengera tributaries) before reaching the estuary and Indian Ocean at the coastal town of Pangani (Komakech et al., 2011; PBWO/IUCN, 2007). Major features of the basin are Lake Jipe on the Ruvu tributary, the Kalimawe Dam on the Mkomazi, Nyumba ya Mungu Dam and Kirua Swamps. The basin has a semi-arid climate with average annual precipitation of approximately 2500 mm in the highlands and around 500mm in the lowland (PBWB/IUCN, 2011).

Bibliographic Citations

Macroinvertebrates taxa presented in this dataset were collected during the implementation of the VLIR-UOS project “Sustainable Management of Soil and Water for the Improvement of Livelihoods in the Upper Pangani River River Basin, Tanzania”, Grant number ZIUS2013AP029. The macroinvertebrates were collected 17 rivers (i.e., Malala River, Tengeru River, Makumira River, Magadirsho River, Ghona River, Dehu River, Soko River, Ruvu River, Ngaresero River, Usa River, Maji ya chai River, Kikafu River, Rau River, Umbwe River, Karanga River, Weruweru River, and Lumbanga River) in the Pangani River Basin between June 2014 and October 2018 in both dry and wet seasons. The macroinvertebrates were sampled in a semi-quantitative way using a kick net of 1mm mesh size on a 30-cm square frame following the TARISS sampling protocol (Kaaya et al., 2015). Samples were collected from the dominant habitat type present at each site (i.e., the habitat that covers about 70% of the 50 m stretch making up the river section at the site). Sampled habitat types included (i) stones in-current (cobbles, boulders and bedrock), (ii) vegetation/macrophyte, and (iii) gravel/sand/mud (GSM). Stones and GSM habitats were sampled for one minute by kicking, turning or scraping them with the feet, whilst continuously sweeping the net through the disturbed area. The vegetation/macrophyte habitat was sampled by pushing the net vigorously and repeatedly against and through the vegetation over an area of approximately two meters. All individuals in a sample were counted and identified to the family level following different identification keys (Croft, 1986; Davies and Day, 1998; Gerber and Gabriel, 2002). -

Contacts

Grite Nelson Mwaijengo
originator
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
23311
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 756 931201
email: grite.nelson@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3685-5986

Issakwisa Bernard Ngondya
originator
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 784 355896
email: issakwisa.ngondya@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0103-6428

Linus Munishi
originator
position: Associate Professor
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 768 171890
email: linus.munishi@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0188-8630

Hulda Gideon
originator
position: Senior Research Officer
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology
P.O Box 4302
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255 754 310879
email: hgideon@costech.or.tz

Ally Mohamed Ally
originator
position: Early Career Researcher
University of Dar es Salaam
P.O Box 3501
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255715888313
email: allyallym25@gmail.com

Clean Bernard
originator
position: Early Career Researcher
University of Dar es Salaam
P.O Box 35091
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255684757644
email: cleanchrisant95@gmail.com

Grite Nelson Mwaijengo
metadata author
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 756 931201
email: grite.nelson@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3685-5986

Issakwisa Bernard Ngondya
metadata author
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 784 355896
email: issakwisa.ngondya@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0103-6428

Linus Munishi
metadata author
position: Associate Professor
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology,
P.O Box 447
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 768 171890
email: linus.munishi@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0188-8630

Hulda Gideon
metadata author
position: Senior Research Officer
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology
P.O Box 4302
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255 754 310 879
email: hgideon@costech.or.tz

Ally Mohamed Ally
metadata author
position: Early Career Researcher
University of Dar es Salaam
P.O Box 35091
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255715888313
email: allyallym25@gmail.com

Grite Nelson
principal investigator
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 756 931201
email: grite.nelson@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3685-5986

Grite Nelson Mwaijengo
administrative point of contact
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 756 931201
email: grite.nelson@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3685-5986

Issakwisa Bernard Ngondya
administrative point of contact
position: Lecturer
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 784 355896
email: issakwisa.ngondya@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0103-6428

Linus Munishi
administrative point of contact
position: Associate Professor
The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
P.O Box 447
Arusha
Arusha
TZ
Telephone: +255 768171890
email: linus.munishi@nm-aist.ac.tz
userId: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0188-8630

Hulda Gideon
administrative point of contact
position: Senior Research Officer
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology
P.O Box 4302
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
TZ
Telephone: +255 754 310 879
email: hgideon@costech.or.tz

Ally Mohamed Ally
administrative point of contact
position: Early Career Researcher
University of Dar es Salaam
P.O Box 35091
Dar es Salaaam
+255715888313
Dar es Salaaam
TZ
Telephone: +255715888313
email: allyallym25@gmail.com

Clean Bernard
administrative point of contact
position: Early Career Researcher
University of Dar es Salaam
P.O Box 35091
Dar es Salaam
TZ
email: cleanchrisant95@gmail.com