Does the management of sandbar openings influence the macroinvertebrate communities in southern Brazil wetlands? A case study at Lagoa do Peixe National Park - Ramsar site

► Conservation actions to lagoons is priority in the Brazilian environmental policies. ► Effects of artificial sandbar opening on biodiversity were analysed in a Ramsar site. ► Floodplains subjected to sandbar openings had lower macroinvertebrate richness. ► Artificial sandbar openings changed the macroinvertebrate composition. ► Artificial opening must be considered cautiously in Ramsar sites in southern Brazil.