A review of macroinvertebrate- and fish-based stream health indices

Herman, Matthew R.; Nejadhashemi, A. Pouyan

doi:10.1016/j.ecohyd.2015.04.001

Cited by 91 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…BMWP is a biotic index focused on an organism’s tolerance to organic pollution [65,66], with the tolerance determined relative to levels based on dissolved oxygen [67,68,69]. However, Herman et al [70] point out that this approach does not take into account the combined impacts of multiple stressors within streams or the complex nature of stream ecosystems. In addition, BMWP was created in Britain and adapted for other regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the Ecological Integrity of Cerrado Streams Using Biological Metrics and the Index of Habitat Integrity

Reis

Salazar

Machado

et al. 2017

Insects

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Generally, aquatic communities reflect the effects of anthropogenic changes such as deforestation or organic pollution. The Cerrado stands among the most threatened ecosystems by human activities in Brazil. In order to evaluate the ecological integrity of the streams in a preserved watershed in the Northern Cerrado biome corresponding to a mosaic of ecosystems in transition to the Amazonia biome in Brazil, biological metrics related to diversity, structure, and sensitivity of aquatic macroinvertebrates were calculated. Sampling included collections along stretches of 200 m of nine streams and measurements of abiotic variables (temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and discharge) and the Index of Habitat Integrity (HII). The values of the abiotic variables and the HII indicated that most of the streams have good ecological integrity, due to high oxygen levels and low concentrations of dissolved solids and electric conductivity. Two streams showed altered HII scores mainly related to small dams for recreational and domestic use, use of Cerrado natural pasture for cattle raising, and spot deforestation in bathing areas. However, this finding is not reflected in the biological metrics that were used. Considering all nine streams, only two showed satisfactory ecological quality (measured by Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), total richness, and EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) richness), only one of which had a low HII score. These results indicate that punctual measures of abiotic parameters do not reveal the long-term impacts of anthropic activities in these streams, including related fire management of pasture that annually alters the vegetation matrix and may act as a disturbance for the macroinvertebrate communities. Due to this, biomonitoring of low order streams in Cerrado ecosystems of the Northern Central Brazil by different biotic metrics and also physical attributes of the riparian zone such as HII is recommended for the monitoring and control of anthropic impacts on aquatic communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the Ecological Integrity of Cerrado Streams Using Biological Metrics and the Index of Habitat Integrity

Reis

Salazar

Machado

et al. 2017

Insects

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“…This is evidenced by its long history of optimization and the adoption of the method in many parts of the world (e.g. Diaz et al, 2004;Herman and Nejadhashemi, 2015). This history demonstrates the pioneering role that the UK has played in index development, something that it continues to do in the context of fine sediment biomonitoring.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Mechanistic Basis for Fine Sediment Biomonitoring: Inconsistencies among the Literature, Traits and Indices

Wilkes

Mckenzie

Murphy

et al. 2017

River Research & Apps

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Classification of species sensitivity for biomonitoring has been approached under two different frameworks, using either empirical data or expert opinion. Two tools for fine sediment (i.e. clogging and colmation) biomonitoring in the UK tend towards these contrasting approaches. The Proportion of Sediment-sensitive Invertebrates (PSI) index was developed using expert judgement. Empirical weightings were subsequently added at genus or species (EPSI) and mixed (EPSI mixed ) taxonomic levels, but scores remain constrained by the original categories. In contrast, the Combined Fine Sediment Index, composed of separate taxon scores along organic matter and total fine sediment gradients, was developed using a purely empirical approach. We tested the mechanistic bases for these indices by relating taxon scores to species traits. We compared the results with those for the well-established Whalley Hawkes Paisley Trigg index of organic pollution. After controlling for varying sample sizes, Whalley Hawkes Paisley Trigg could be better predicted by a linear combination of all available traits (mean R 2 = 0.92) than any of the fine sediment indices (0.68 < mean R 2 < 0.76). When only traits expected to respond to fine sediment were offered as independent variables, the goodness of fit was substantially reduced for all fine sediment indices (0.27 < mean R 2 < 0.46). Our findings demonstrate the lack of integration between the literature on macroinvertebrate responses to fine sediment, the available trait data and taxon scores. Refinement of the trait database is recommended to build on the valuable work performed to date. As the UK has taken the lead in embedding fine sediment into routine biomonitoring programmes, these findings have important international implications.The test evaluates the null hypothesis that the fit of the global 'all traits' model is no better than the fit of the more parsimonious model ('pruned', 'literature').

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“…Other authors [22,23] also report on statistically significant correlations between the rising levels of nutrients (including nitrates) in the water and the abundance of Chironomidae [22] and Tubificidae [23]. The literature [29,30] also indicate that the riverine macroinvertebrate communities are characterised by seasonal dynamics. This is connected with the insect larvae transformation into adult forms and the inflow of biogenic substances from the river basin to the river, which changes throughout the year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Impact of heated waters on water quality and macroinvertebrate community in the Narew River (Poland)

2017

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The effect of heated waters from coal-burning power stations on the water parameters and the occurrence of macroinvertebrates depends on the individual characteristics of the river to which the heated waters are discharged. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of heated water from the Ostrołęka Power Station on selected water properties and the macroinvertebrate community in the Narew River. Samples were collected in years: 2013-2016 along two river stretches: upstream and downstream of the canal. The water temperature was higher and the oxygen concentrations were lower at the downstream sites compared to the upstream sites of the canal. The values of conductivity, concentrations of nitrates, phosphates, chlorides and calcium were similar at the sampling sites. A total of 33 families of macrozoobenthos were found. The numbers of families were positively correlated with the temperature and conductivity and negatively correlated with oxygen. The heated waters were found to have no effect on the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. The inflow of heated waters increased the percentage of Gammaridae, represented by species Dikerogammarus haemobaphes (Eichwald, 1841) and decreased the percentage of Chironomidae. The presence of the thermophilous bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1934) was noted downstream of the canal.

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A review of macroinvertebrate- and fish-based stream health indices

Cited by 91 publications

References 111 publications

Measurement of the Ecological Integrity of Cerrado Streams Using Biological Metrics and the Index of Habitat Integrity

Measurement of the Ecological Integrity of Cerrado Streams Using Biological Metrics and the Index of Habitat Integrity

Assessing the Mechanistic Basis for Fine Sediment Biomonitoring: Inconsistencies among the Literature, Traits and Indices

Impact of heated waters on water quality and macroinvertebrate community in the Narew River (Poland)

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