Live benthic foraminiferal faunas from the French Mediterranean Coast: Towards a new biotic index of environmental quality

AbstractOdum’s perturbation theory hypothesizes that toxic pollutants cause damage to ecosystems early in the course of contamination. In contrast, organic pollutants enrich the ecosystem until it exceeds their carrying capacity, an effect known as the subsidy-stress gradient. Understanding this dynamic can improve the efficiency of river restoration programs and bring significant benefits to society by providing ecosystem services that were lost. However, the initial effects of the most common human-induced disturbances in Atlantic Forest streams are not well known, indicating the necessity to evaluate the subsidy-stress gradient in these vulnerable and diverse ecosystems.AimWe evaluated the composition and abundance of the community of aquatic insects from leaf litter of headwater streams in three conditions: a fully forested area (reference stream), a low-intensity urban settlement (urban stream), and a region with small farms dedicated to the cultivation of fruits and vegetables (agricultural stream).MethodsWe used alpha and beta diversity metrics and a specific biotic index to test the subsidy-stress gradient prediction.ResultsThe agricultural stream showed the most degraded ecological condition. The urban stream and the reference stream showed similarity in alpha diversity metrics. According to the biotic index, the streams showed a gradient of environmental quality, with the reference stream showing the best quality and the agricultural stream the worst quality.ConclusionsThe agricultural stream showed a decrease in the environmental quality consistent with the effect predicted by the subsidy-stress gradient due to toxic pollutants’ contribution. However, the low-intensity enrichment of organic matter from the urban settlement causes a disorder in the ecosystem that reduces its environmental quality, contrary to the predicted by the subsidy-stress gradient.

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Are biochemical composition parameters of sediment good tools for assessing the environmental quality of estuarine areas in tropical systems?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315417001795 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 99 (1) ◽

pp. 9-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fred B. Silva ◽

Janilson F. Silva ◽

Ranilson S. Bezerra ◽

Paulo J. P. Santos

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Environmental Quality ◽

Biochemical Composition ◽

Trophic State ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Initial Stage ◽

Natural Productivity

The present study aims to assess the environmental quality of six estuaries in north-eastern Brazil, using biochemical composition and quantity of organic matter in tropical sediments. Samples were collected monthly during spring low tide from August 2011 to July 2012, in the mid-littoral. Concentrations of organic matter and its biochemical composition reflected the degree of anthropogenic pressure. Although total concentrations of proteins and carbohydrates were similar among estuaries with contrasting levels of anthropogenic pressure, the protein to carbohydrates (PRT : CHO) ratio effectively reflected the trophic state of these areas. PRT : CHO ratios >1 were observed in all studied areas suggesting eutrophic conditions or an initial stage of eutrophication in all of them. Low Chl-a/Phaeo ratios may be associated with the level of eutrophication of each area, however it may also reflect the natural productivity or the presence of mangrove debris. These results were compared with those obtained in previous environmental assessments of the same estuarine areas using the AZTI Marine Biotic Index and monitoring reports showing good agreement. The present study confirmed for the first time in tropical estuarine areas that the biochemical approach can be successfully used to assess the trophic state of the benthic compartment.

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Objective derivation of macro invertebrate family sensitivity grade numbers for the SIGNAL biotic index: application to the Hunter River system, New South Wales

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf96058 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 159 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Bruce C. Chessman ◽

Jane E. Growns ◽

Amanda R. Kotlash

Keyword(s):

Iterative Algorithm ◽

Environmental Quality ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

River System ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Mean Values ◽

South Wales ◽

Highly Correlated

Chessman's SIGNAL-95 biotic index was modified on the basis of data from spring and autumn surveys of macroinvertebrates at 42 sites in the Hunter River and tributaries. An iterative algorithm was used to derive improved grade numbers reflecting the pollution sensitivities of individual families of river macroinvertebrates. The new grades were used to calculate values of the modified index (SIGNAL-HU97). These values were highly correlated with SIGNAL-95 values but were more widely spread, giving better discrimination between the sites of higher environmental quality and the more degraded sites. SIGNAL-HU97 values were also more highly correlated than were SIGNAL-95 values with environmental variables such as the conductivity of the water and a riparian, channel and environmental inventory. There was little difference in values between spring and autumn, but riffles consistently had higher mean values than other habitats.

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Trophic strategies of the invasive Twospot livebearer (Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus, Teleostei: Poeciliidae) in a gradient of environmental quality in central Mexico

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/1982-0224-2019-0080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Omar Carbajal-Becerra ◽

Karla Judith Olvera-Rodríguez ◽

Gabriel Mariscal de Souza ◽

Omar Yair Durán-Rodríguez ◽

Arely Ramírez-García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Environmental Quality ◽

Habitat Structure ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Trophic Levels ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Central Mexico ◽

The Family ◽

Trophic Strategy

ABSTRACT Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus is an invasive species widely spread throughout freshwater ecosystems in central Mexico, for that reason we described its trophic strategy into a gradient of environmental quality. We sampled individuals of P. bimaculatus at eight sites located in the Lerma-Chapala and Pánuco River Basins during dry season. These basins have been impacted by industrialization and urbanization processes, but are considered as water reserves in México. To evaluate the environmental quality of the river, we applied the Visual-based Habitat Assessment, the Index of Biological Integrity and the Family-level Biotic Index. We assessed the trophic guild, the diet width, the omnivory level, and the diet selectivity. We also explored the relation of trophic strategies with the habitat condition. We captured a total of 202 individuals of P. bimaculatus from 10 to 67 mm of SL, finding a total of 24 food items. The diet of P. bimaculatus was composed of terrestrial, aquatic insects and bony fish. Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus in some sites can feed on different trophic levels, in other it is a specialist and secondary consumer. We found that P. bimaculatus changes its diet according the alterations in the habitat structure, water quality, and biotic integrity. Moreover, this invasive species can endure changes in the trophic web and food availability.

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Development and validation of a Biotic Index for evaluation of environmental quality in the central region of Argentina

Hydrobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10750-004-7893-1 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 543 (1) ◽

pp. 279-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Andrea Cecilia Hued ◽

María de los Ángeles Bistoni

Keyword(s):

Environmental Quality ◽

Central Region ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Development And Validation

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The use of BMWP and ASPT indices for evaluation of water quality according to macroinvertebrates in Küçük Menderes River (Turkey)

Biologia ◽

10.1515/biolog-2016-0005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Naime Arslan ◽

Ali Salur ◽

Hasan Kalyoncu ◽

Deniz Mercan ◽

Burcu Barişik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Biological Monitoring ◽

River Basin ◽

Environmental Quality ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Working Party ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Average Score ◽

Sensitive Species ◽

Wiener Diversity Index

AbstractThis study was carried out in the Küçük Menderes River basin in order to determine the water quality and investigate the environmental quality and the applicability of both the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). Monitoring took place in May, July and September 2014 at 10 stations (7 rivers and 3 lakes) according to the method of Intercalibration Common Metrics. Some metrics (BMWP, ASPT, Family Biotic Index, Simpson Diversity Index, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Margalef Diversity Index, dominance, frequency and existence of sensitive species) were calculated. In total, 69 taxa comprising 5,814 individuals were detected. The taxa having the highest frequency rate were

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