Amazonian Aquatic Insects in a Changing Landscape

Multiple local anthropogenic pressures and climate changes threaten the biodiversity of aquatic insects in the Amazon. In this chapter, we review the impacts of various land use practices (e.g., urbanization, pasture, agriculture, mining, and dams) and climate change on aquatic insect assemblages in the Amazon region. We explore how these factors might influence the composition, richness, abundance, diversity, and ecosystem processes (e.g., leaf decomposition) of these insect communities. Finally, we outline future perspectives for studies of insects and aquatic environments in the Amazon.