COLLECTION PROTOCOL FOR AQUATIC INSECT INVENTORY IN THE AMAZON USING THE RAPELD SYSTEM WITH EMPHASIS ON EPHEMEROPTERA, PLECOPTERA, TRICHOPTERA, ODONATA, AND HETEROPTERA

Abstract

Aquatic insects are widely used in environmental assessments of freshwater ecosystems, but the diversity of sampling methods compromises the comparability of results. Standardizing sampling procedures is essential for data integration, the construction of temporal and spatial series, and the assessment of the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities. In this article, we present a sampling protocol for monitoring aquatic insect biodiversity in the Amazon and other Brazilian biomes, focusing on the key groups Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Odonata, and Heteroptera (EPTOH). The protocol follows guidelines adopted by the Long-Term Ecological Research Program (PELD) and the Biodiversity Research Program in Western and Eastern Amazonia (PPBio), ensuring the application of standardized and replicable methods across different research contexts, aligned with ICMBio’s Aquatic Monitoring Program (Programa Monitora Aquático). In addition to describing materials and methods, we discuss the perspectives of standardization, highlighting its importance for conducting large-scale studies and integrating data across different Amazonian regions, and more broadly, across various regions of Brazil. The adoption of a single protocol will facilitate the compilation of robust historical series, which are essential for formulating public policies aimed at biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of water resources in Brazil. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of aquatic insects as bioindicators of environmental integrity, encouraging scientific collaboration and strengthening research networks in the Amazon and throughout Brazil.