scholarly journals Development of a Metric of Aquatic Invertebrates for Volunteers (MAIV): A Simple and Friendly Biotic Metric to Assess Ecological Quality of Streams

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 654
Author(s):  
Paulo Pinto ◽  
José Max Barbosa Oliveira-Junior ◽  
Francisco Leitão ◽  
Maria M. Morais ◽  
Luis Chícharo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Invertebrates ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
School Level ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Local Problems ◽  
Surrogate Taxa ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Gains And Losses

Citizen science activities, involving local people in volunteer-supported and sustainable monitoring programs, are common. In this context, the objective of the present work was to develop a simple Metric of Aquatic Invertebrates for Volunteers (MAIV), including a user-friendly tool that can be easily accessed by volunteers, and to evaluate the efficiency of a volunteer monitoring program following an audit procedure. To obtain MAIV values, macroinvertebrate communities were reduced to 18 surrogate taxa, which represented an acceptable compromise between simplicity, efficiency, and reproducibility of the data, compared to the regular Water Framework Directive monitoring. When compared to results obtained with the National Classification System of Portugal, MAIV accurately detected moderate, poor, and bad ecological status. Thus, MAIV can be used by volunteers as a complement to the official monitoring program, as well as a prospective early warning tool for local problems related to ecological quality. Volunteers were students supervised by their teachers. Results obtained by volunteers were compared to results obtained by experts on macroinvertebrate identification to measure the efficiency of the procedure, by counting gains and losses on sorting, and identification. Characteristics of groups of volunteers (age and school level) did not influence significantly the efficiency of the procedure, and generally results of volunteers and experts matched.

scholarly journals The Influence of Flow Regime on Ecological Quality, Bird Diversity, and Shellfish Fisheries in a Lowland Mediterranean River and Its Coastal Area

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Belmar ◽  
Carles Ibáñez ◽  
Ana Forner ◽  
Nuno Caiola
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Mantis Shrimp

Designing environmental flows in lowland river sections and estuaries is a challenge for researchers and managers, given their complexity and their importance, both for nature conservation and economy. The Ebro River and its delta belong to a Mediterranean area with marked anthropogenic pressures. This study presents an assessment of the relationships between mean flows (discharges) computed at different time scales and (i) ecological quality based on fish populations in the lower Ebro, (ii) bird populations, and (iii) two shellfish fishery species of socioeconomic importance (prawn, or Penaeus kerathurus, and mantis shrimp, or Squilla mantis). Daily discharge data from 2000 to 2015 were used for analyses. Mean annual discharge was able to explain the variation in fish-based ecological quality, and model performance increased when aquatic vegetation was incorporated. Our results indicate that a good ecological status cannot be reached only through changes on discharge, and that habitat characteristics, such as the coverage of macrophytes, must be taken into account. In addition, among the different bird groups identified in our study area, predators were related to river discharge. This was likely due to its influence on available resources. Finally, prawn and mantis shrimp productivity were influenced up to a certain degree by discharge and physicochemical variables, as inputs from rivers constitute major sources of nutrients in oligotrophic environments such as the Mediterranean Sea. Such outcomes allowed revisiting the environmental flow regimes designed for the study area, which provides information for water management in this or in other similar Mediterranean zones.

scholarly journals GENETIC IDENTIFICATION OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES OF KAZAKHSTAN AS INDICATORS OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

2018 ◽  
pp. 139-148
Author(s):  
Alexandr Anatoljevich Volkov ◽  
Larisa Anatoljevna Kovaljova ◽  
Tatjana Timofeevna Troshina ◽  
Zhanara Omirbekovna Mazhibaeva ◽  
Dmitrij Valerjevich Pilin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Aquatic Invertebrates ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Organic Pollution ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Morphological Identity

The article deals with carrying out DNA barcoding of aquatic invertebrates of Kazakhstan to identify their taxonomic status as organic pollution indicators. 33 species of the Balkhash-Alakol basin and the Zhayik river were analyzed. 21 species correlate (95-100%) with previously published sequences of invertebrates with well-known classifications in the GenBank and BOLD databases. The taxonomic discrepancy in morphometric and genetic parameters in certain species has been revealed. The discrepancy may be caused by the morphological identity in chironomids at a larval stage. The phylogenetic trees of the investigated species within the families Chironomidae and Moinidae have been indicated. Chironomids are represented by ten clades of different types of genetic polymorphism of DNA gene. Genetic links of Moinidae are detected in four groups including a cryptic species from Lake Alakol. It has been stated that in distribution of cryptic taxons in Moina family factors of salinity and depth of the lake are important, as well as differences in depth. Molecular DNA-barcoding of invertebrates of Kazakhstan should be continued with covering a greater number of species and several replications, with qualified primary fixation of subjects of research and a sufficient number of samples. Authenticity of composition defining, species abundance, species characteristics of aquatic invertebrates from the water bodies of poorly explored arid regions is necessary for using them as indicators of the ecological status of water bodies.

The use of benthic macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giedrė Višinskienė ◽  
Rasa Bernotienė
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Biotic Index ◽  
Benthic Macroinvertebrate ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
River Quality ◽  
Lithuanian Rivers

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of macroinvertebrate taxa in different sized lowland Lithuanian rivers. A secondary aim was to assess ecological river quality and to determine the most suitable biotic index. A final aim was to determine the most appropriate macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania. Species composition and quantitative characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities have been investigated using standard kick-sampling method by a standard hand net in 24 different river sites in spring. Physical and chemical environmental parameters were measured in the same study site as the macroinvertebrate sampling. A total of 186 taxa representing 66 families or higher taxonomic ranks of benthic macroinvertebrates have been identified. Water temperature and current velocity influenced the highest number of ivestigated families. Seven of the most tolerant and eleven of the most sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa for hydrochemical parameters related with organic pollution were determined. The DSFI method was founded to be the best index for assessment of ecological status for Lithuanian rivers until more accurate estimation method will be created.

scholarly journals Ecological status assessment of the Samokovska river: 2018 case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
Snežana Simić ◽  
Aleksandra Mitrović ◽  
Nevena Đorđević ◽  
Sanja Radosavljević
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Diatom Indices ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Quality Aspects ◽  
Ecological Status Assessment ◽  
Status Assessment

The Samokovska River, as the most important watercourse of the Kopaonik National Park, has been poorly investigated from algological and water quality aspects. This river is not covered by the monitoring program of the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency routine. Our research performed in October 2018 aimed to present an algal diversity, ecological status assessment, and negative anthropogenic impacts threatening this river. For ecological status assessment purposes, the diatom indices phytobenthos and physico-chemical parameters of water were used. The typology and the problem of reliable assessing of the ecological status were also discussed on the example of the Samokovska River.

scholarly journals Ecological Quality Status of the Algiers coastal waters by using macroalgae assemblages as bioindicators (Algeria, Mediterranean Sea)

2018 ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
CHABANE KHADIDJA ◽  
BAHBAH LAMIA ◽  
SERIDI HALIMA
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Site ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Anthropogenic Stress ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Quality Element

Macroalgae assemblages have been used as a quality element for the assessment of the Ecological Status Classes (ESC) of coastal water bodies for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC). To assess the suitability of this quality element in Algiers coasts, seven sampling sites with five (5) replications covering a wide range of anthropogenic pressures were studied during spring and summer 2015. Coverage data of macroalgae in each sampling site were analyzed on species, i.e., structural (species number, nMDS, clustering, K-dominance and Simper analysis on Bray–Curtis similarity) and on Ecological Status Groups, i.e., functional (nMDS, clustering, K-dominance, Ecological Evaluation Index/EEI-c) biological levels. Key water variables (temperature, salinity and pH) along with the anthropogenic stress index MALUSI were also estimated. The obtained results revealed a significant effect of anthropogenic stress in the macroalgal assemblages. The structural analysis showed: (1) species richness of 86 taxa in total, (2) dominance of Cystoseira amentacea var. stricta (late-successional) associated by Lithophyllum incrustans, and Jania rubens in non-impacted sites and of Ulva rigida, Ulva intestinalis and Caulerpa cylindracea (opportunistic) species in impacted sites, and (3) record a higher proportion of low abundance of species in polluted communities than in less polluted communities. The functional analysis showed: (1) classification of sites based on multivariate and K-dominance analyses in four groups, three in agreement with water degradation, and one for low salinity influence, (2) classification of sites into “Bad”, ”High”, “Moderate” and “Good” ESC’s by EEI-c index, (3) a strong non-linear relationship (R²=0.85) of EEI-c index with MALUSI index. Therefore, to implement a national monitoring program within the scope WFD in Algeria coasts, the EEI-c index will be a suitable tool.

Development of tools for ecological quality assessment in Polish marine areas according to the Water Framework Directive. Part I - Nutrients

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Łysiak-Pastuszak ◽  
Włodzimierz Krzymiński ◽  
Łukasz Lewandowski
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assessment ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Marine Areas

Development of tools for ecological quality assessment in Polish marine areas according to the Water Framework Directive. Part I - NutrientsAssessment of the ecological status of an aquatic environment according to the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the determination of a link between the observed status of the marine ecosystem and catchment loading as well as the establishment of criteria for ecological status definitions. This article presents the results of a study identifying links between environmental pressures in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea and state parameters applied in the assessment of eutrophication. Strong, statistically significant correlations were found between riverine loads of nutrients and their marine concentrations even in relatively short time data series.

scholarly journals The pressures and the ecological quality status of the Marmara Sea (Turkey) by using marine macroalgae and angiosperms

2020 ◽  
pp. 632-638
Author(s):  
Ergün Taşkın ◽  
İbrahim Tan ◽  
Orkide Minareci ◽  
Ersin Minareci ◽  
Hakan Atabay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Status ◽  
Marine Macroalgae ◽  
Marmara Sea ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
Ecological Index ◽  
Pressure Index ◽  
Ecological Quality Status ◽  
Good Ecological Status ◽  
Negative Linear Relationship ◽  
Quality Status

In the present study, the Marine Floristic Ecological Index (MARFEI) was tested to assess the impacts by using marine benthic macrophytes and pressures by using the Macroalgae-Land Uses Simplified Index (MA-LUSI) in the Marmara Sea (Turkey). Sampling of benthic macrophytes was made from 0-5 m depth at 29 different sites during the summer periods of 2017, 2018 and 2019. The study revealed good ecological status class (ESC) for 6 sites, moderate for 11 sites, poor for 8 sites and bad for 4 sites. MARFEIeqr showed a negative linear relationship with the pressure index MA-LUSI.

scholarly journals Assessment of the ecological status of Sicilian coastal waters according to a macroalgae based index (CARLIT)

2020 ◽  
pp. 519-528
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Bellissimo ◽  
Benedetto Sirchia ◽  
Vincenzo Ruvolo
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
European Water Framework Directive ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Ecological Quality ◽  
Local Factors ◽  
High Good ◽  
First Time

In the frame of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC), a macroalgae based index (CARLIT) was applied along the Sicilian coastal water bodies (WBs) in order to assess for the first time their ecological status and collect accurate information on the distribution and abundance of shallow-water communities, especially of those most sensitive. The ecological quality ratio values, sensu WFD, showed “high”/“good” levels in all WBs with lushy forests of Cystoseira amentacea except two with “moderate” level due to the presence of stress-tolerant species related to local factors.

scholarly journals A large-scale ecological assessment of Swiss rivers using environmental DNA for the monitoring of macroinvertebrates 

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanine Brantschen ◽  
Rosetta Blackman ◽  
Jean-Claude Walser ◽  
Florian Altermatt
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Biotic Index ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽  
Monitoring Methods

Anthropogenic activities are changing the state of ecosystems worldwide, affecting community composition and often resulting in loss of biodiversity. Riverine ecosystems are among the most impacted ecosystems. Recording their current state with regular biomonitoring is important to assess the future trajectory of biodiversity. However, traditional monitoring methods for ecological assessments are costly and time-intense. Here, we compare environmental DNA (eDNA) to traditional kick-net sampling in a standardized framework of surface water quality assessment. We use surveys of macroinvertebrate communities to assess biodiversity and the biological state of riverine systems. Both methods were employed to monitor aquatic macroinvertebrate indicator groups at 92 sites across major Swiss river catchments. The eDNA data were taxonomically assigned using a customised reference database. All zero-radius Operational Taxonomic Units (zOTUs) mapping to one of the 142 traditionally used indicator taxon levels were used for subsequent diversity analyses (n = 205). At the site level, eDNA detected less indicator taxa than the kick-net method and alpha diversity correlated only weakly between the methods. However, the methods showed a strong congruence in the overall community composition (gamma diversity), as the same indicator groups were commonly detected. In order to set the community composition in relation to the biotic index, the ecological states of the sampling sites were predicted by a random forest approach. Using all zOTUs mapping to macroinvertebrate indicator groups (n = 693) as predictive features, the random forest models successfully predicted the ecological status of the sampled sites. The majority of the predictions (71%) resulted in the same classification like the kick-net based scores. Thus, the sampling of eDNA enabled the detection of indicator communities and provided valuable classifications of the ecological state, when combined with machine learning. Overall, eDNA based sampling has the potential to complement traditional surveys of macroinvertebrate communities in routine large-scale assessments in a non-invasive and scalable approach.

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