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Improving bio‐diagnostic monitoring using simple combinations of standard biotic indices
10.1002/rra.1166.abs
Invertebrate biotic indices are used widely to assess river quality. However, because reduced values can have many potential causes, general biotic indices have limited value in diagnosing reasons for impairment. Here, we investigate whether simple combinations of biotic indices can improve diagnostic capability.
In the catchment of the Welsh River Wye, invertebrates varied significantly among groups of 55 streams in taxonomic composition and in index scores representing acidification (AWIC), mild eutrophication/organic pollution (BMWP/ASPT), and flow (LIFE). Although sites impacted by different forms of pollution tended to have reduced BMWP scores, acidified and enriched sites became distinguishable from each other, and from unimpaired streams, when classified on a combination of these indices. Combined indices also differentiated among competing explanations for trends in biological quality through time by revealing how increasing BMWP at some sites reflected local reductions in eutrophication.
These data illustrate how simple univariate indices, calibrated to respond to specific pressures, have bio‐diagnostic capability when used together even in a relatively unpolluted catchment such at the Wye. In this Special Area of Conservation, they identified specific management needs in different locations—respectively to mitigate acidification in upland base‐poor tributaries and to reduce diffuse nutrients in the lower catchment. We advocate (i) the development of more pressure‐specific indices, for example to detect morphological modification, sedimentation and metal impacts; and (ii) further exploration of combined indices from one or more groups of organisms (e.g., diatoms and invertebrates) to increase bio‐diagnostic capability in river monitoring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving bio‐diagnostic monitoring using simple combinations of standard biotic indices
10.1002/rra.1166.abs
Invertebrate biotic indices are used widely to assess river quality. However, because reduced values can have many potential causes, general biotic indices have limited value in diagnosing reasons for impairment. Here, we investigate whether simple combinations of biotic indices can improve diagnostic capability.
In the catchment of the Welsh River Wye, invertebrates varied significantly among groups of 55 streams in taxonomic composition and in index scores representing acidification (AWIC), mild eutrophication/organic pollution (BMWP/ASPT), and flow (LIFE). Although sites impacted by different forms of pollution tended to have reduced BMWP scores, acidified and enriched sites became distinguishable from each other, and from unimpaired streams, when classified on a combination of these indices. Combined indices also differentiated among competing explanations for trends in biological quality through time by revealing how increasing BMWP at some sites reflected local reductions in eutrophication.
These data illustrate how simple univariate indices, calibrated to respond to specific pressures, have bio‐diagnostic capability when used together even in a relatively unpolluted catchment such at the Wye. In this Special Area of Conservation, they identified specific management needs in different locations—respectively to mitigate acidification in upland base‐poor tributaries and to reduce diffuse nutrients in the lower catchment. We advocate (i) the development of more pressure‐specific indices, for example to detect morphological modification, sedimentation and metal impacts; and (ii) further exploration of combined indices from one or more groups of organisms (e.g., diatoms and invertebrates) to increase bio‐diagnostic capability in river monitoring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving bio‐diagnostic monitoring using simple combinations of standard biotic indices
Clews, Esther (author) / Ormerod, S. J. (author)
River Research and Applications ; 25 ; 348-361
2009-03-01
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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