These animals, which on average measure between 3 and 5 mm, live either directly in the river sediment or are in temporary or permanent contact with the water surface. The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the existing biological diversity and its conservation value, in order to draw up protection and conservation schemes that adapt to the specific requirements of this type of fauna, which unquestionably represents a highly valuable part of the regions biological heritage.
The authors claim that despite the extensive census of macroinvertebrates currently in existence, the figures represent a mere 65% of the actual number of species that live in our continental waters.