Abstract:
Springs are the places where ground water is discharged at specific locations. They vary
dramatically as to the type of water they discharge. Hot springs are having the temperature of the
water lies significantly above the mean of annual air temperature of that region. Temperature is
one of the most important factors that govern species abundance and distribution. The objective
of this study is to examine the relationship between biological parameters (macroinvertebrate and
bird diversity) with physicochemical water and habitat quality of hot springs in Easter Amhara
Region. A cross-sectional study of physical, chemical and biological components of the hot
springs were carried out to assess their ecological status. Samples were collected from March to
May 2013. Biological samples were collected to provide a qualitative description of the
community composition at each sampling site. Water samples were collected for analysis of
selected physicochemical parameters following water quality assessment protocols. A total of
1095 macroinvertebrates classified into 10 orders and 31 families of macroinvertebrates were
collected from the 12 sampling sites. The most abundant orders were Diptera 49.90%, Odonata
15.53%, Coleopteran 12.97%, and Ephmeropetra 9.5% represented by 14 families. 2484 birds
belonging to 56 species were recorded at the 12 sampling sites. Black headed oriole (Oriolus
Larvatus), Spur-Winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), Spectacled Weaver (ploceous ocularis)
and Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) were the most abundant bird species in the study area and
accounts 35% of the total species. Macroinvertebrate taxa were absent at B1 and H1 sites with
the temperature of 72 0C and 70 0C respectively. However, in this study, the macroinvertebrate
taxa (Chironomidae and Hydrobiidae) were found within a temperature of 52 oC at S1 and H1
sites. The results are also revealed that as the temperature gradient declines, the
macroinvertebrate diversity flourished. Due to this fact, both macroinvertebrate diversity and
family biotic index were negatively correlated with temperature and the correlations were
significant. Human disturbance and habitant conditions varied considerably among sites in the
study area. Although human disturbance and water pollution are among the factors influencing
ecological quality, the strong correlations between water temperature and species diversity
suggest that temperature is the major environmental gradient affecting aquatic biodiversity in hot
springs.
