Impactos antropogênicos sobre a fauna invertebrada em áreas de manguezal, no bairro Ipioca, Maceió, Alagoas

Abstract

Mangroves, essential ecosystems for coastal protection and highly vulnerable to anthropogenic actions, harbor invertebrates from the mesofauna and macrofauna that are sensitive to landscape changes, making them important bioindicators of environmental quality. This study aimed to assess the abundance and richness of invertebrate fauna (macrofauna and mesofauna) within the soil+leaf litter compartments and the aerial parts of plants in three mangrove areas under different types of anthropogenic impact, as well as to evaluate local residents’ perceptions regarding the mangrove area surrounding the Sauaçuhy Residential Complex, located in the Ipioca district, northern coast of Maceió, Alagoas. The research was conducted within the Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area (APACC) in Maceió, Alagoas, across mangrove areas characterized by waste deposition, habitat fragmentation, and deforestation, during Sept./Dec. 2024 and Mar./Jun. 2025. Provid traps were used for sampling the soil and aerial macrofauna, while mesofauna were obtained from soil+leaf litter samples collected using metal rings. Shannon (H) and Pielou (e) ecological indices were analyzed. Leaves of Rhizophora mangle L., Laguncularia racemosa (L.) C. F. Gaertn., and Conocarpus erectus L. were collected for herbivory analysis. Soil samples were taken to determine soil water content and to conduct physical/chemical analyses. Measurements of soil and air temperature and records of rainfall data were also carried out. Questionnaires were administered to residents of the Sauaçuhy Residential Complex. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman’s correlation tests. Invertebrate herbivores caused greater damage to L. racemosa due to its higher palatability, being more frequently consumed by sucking and chewing guilds, whereas C. erectus was less attractive because of its high phenolic compound content. The fragmented mangrove exhibited all types of foliar damage, attributed to the presence of young, more nutritious leaves and the formation of ecological edges that create favorable conditions for more generalist or opportunistic invertebrates. The occurrence of the African snail in the fragmented and deforested areas reflects ongoing environmental changes. The mangrove affected by waste deposition showed higher invertebrate abundance and richness due to its dense vegetation cover; however, the presence of sewage and solid waste favored the proliferation of synanthropic organisms such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, and ants. The fragmented mangrove was more influenced by tidal activity, which increased soil water content and limited the presence of soil macrofauna but favored mesofauna, particularly collembolans and diplurans, adapted to high humidity. Intense human circulation inhibited aerial macrofauna due to anthropogenic noise. In the deforested mangrove, exposure to sunlight and acidic soil conditions restricted the presence of soil invertebrates, while the reduced variety of resources limited the occurrence of aerial macrofauna. The dominance of Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Acarina highlights the resilience and adaptability of these taxa, demonstrating that anthropogenic impacts, by affecting vegetation and soil, determine the composition and dynamics of invertebrate communities, thereby serving as indicators of environmental quality. There is a clear dissonance in the perception of residents from the Sauaçuhy Residential Complex regarding the importance of mangroves, along with low engagement in conservation efforts, underscoring the need for environmental education and awareness initiatives.