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Jupke JF, Birk S, Álvarez-Cabria M, Aroviita J, Barquín J, Belmar O, Bonada N, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Chiriac G, Elexová EM, Feld CK, Ferreira MT, Haase P, Huttunen KL, Lazaridou M, Lešťáková M, Miliša M, Muotka T, Paavola R, Panek P, Pařil P, Peeters ETHM, Polášek M, Sandin L, Schmera D, Straka M, Usseglio-Polatera P, Schäfer RB. Evaluating the biological validity of European river typology systems with least disturbed benthic macroinvertebrate communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156689. [PMID: 35724793 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Humans have severely altered freshwater ecosystems globally, causing a loss of biodiversity. Regulatory frameworks, like the Water Framework Directive, have been developed to support actions that halt and reverse this loss. These frameworks use typology systems that summarize freshwater ecosystems into environmentally delineated types. Within types, ecosystems that are minimally impacted by human activities, i.e., in reference conditions, are expected to be similar concerning physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. This assumption is critical when water quality assessments rely on comparisons to type-specific reference conditions. Lyche Solheim et al. (2019) developed a pan-European river typology system, the Broad River Types, that unifies the national Water Framework Directive typology systems and is gaining traction within the research community. However, it is unknown how similar biological communities are within these individual Broad River Types. We used analysis of similarities and classification strength analysis to examine if the Broad River Types delineate distinct macroinvertebrate communities across Europe and whether they outperform two ecoregional approaches: the European Biogeographical Regions and Illies' Freshwater Ecoregions. We determined indicator and typical taxa for the types of all three typology systems and evaluated their distinctiveness. All three typology systems captured more variation in macroinvertebrate communities than random combinations of sites. The results were similar among typology systems, but the Broad River Types always performed worse than either the Biogeographic Regions or Illies' Freshwater Ecoregions. Despite reaching statistical significance, the statistics of analysis of similarity and classification strength were low in all tests indicating substantial overlap among the macroinvertebrate communities of different types. We conclude that the Broad River Types do not represent an improvement upon existing freshwater typologies when used to delineate macroinvertebrate communities and we propose future avenues for advancement: regionally constrained types, better recognition of intermittent rivers, and consideration of biotic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Jupke
- iES, Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Faculty of Biology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Mario Álvarez-Cabria
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria- Avda, Isabel Torres, 15, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Jukka Aroviita
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, P.O. Box 413, Paavo Havaksen tie 3, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - José Barquín
- IHCantabria - Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria- Avda, Isabel Torres, 15, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Oscar Belmar
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, University of Murcia, Murcia, 30100, Espinardo Campus, Spain
| | - Núria Bonada
- Grup de Recerca "Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management" (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Serra Húnter fellow, "Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology, and Management" (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gabriel Chiriac
- National Administration "Apele Romane", Edgar Quinet 6, 010017 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Christian K Feld
- Faculty of Biology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - M Teresa Ferreira
- Forest Research Centre and Associate Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Peter Haase
- Faculty of Biology and Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany; Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Clamecystrasse 12, Gelnhausen 65371, Germany
| | - Kaisa-Leena Huttunen
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Maria Lazaridou
- Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 134, 54124 Thessaloníki, Greece
| | - Margita Lešťáková
- Water Research Institute, Nábrežie arm. gen. L. Svobodu 5,81249 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marko Miliša
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Timo Muotka
- Grup de Recerca "Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management" (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Riku Paavola
- Oulanka Research Station, University of Oulu Infrastructure Platform, Liikasenvaarantie 134, FI-93900 Kuusamo, Finland
| | - Piotr Panek
- Department of Environmental Monitoring, Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, Aleje Jerozolimskie 92, 00-807 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Petr Pařil
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Edwin T H M Peeters
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marek Polášek
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p. r. i., Mojmírovo náměstí 16, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Leonard Sandin
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Økernveien 94, NO-0579 Oslo, Norway
| | - Dénes Schmera
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3, 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Michal Straka
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, p. r. i., Mojmírovo náměstí 16, 612 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Philippe Usseglio-Polatera
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, UMR 7360, LIEC, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Rue du Général Delestraint, 57070 Metz, France
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- iES, Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
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Getachew M, Mulat WL, Mereta ST, Gebrie GS, Kelly-Quinn M. Refining benthic macroinvertebrate kick sampling protocol for wadeable rivers and streams in Ethiopia. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:196. [PMID: 35175462 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Streams and rivers cover a larger proportion of the Earth's surface but are highly affected by human pressures. Conversely, bioassessment methods are in their infancy in developing countries such as Ethiopia. In this study, we compared 2- and 3-min macroinvertebrate kick samples at multiple locations for both riffle habitat (RH) and multihabitat (MH) approaches. The performance of each method was evaluated statistically using benthic macroinvertebrate metrics and diversity indices. Results of the Kruskal-Wallis analysis in this study showed no significant differences among methods tested in minimally impacted streams in Ethiopia and generally performed equally irrespective of the methods employed except for total abundances and Ephemeroptera abundances. Furthermore, multivariate analysis of the relative abundances of macroinvertebrate communities using analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), RELATE, non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS), and classification strength-sampling method comparability (CS-SMC) indicated a high similarity in the macroinvertebrate communities recorded among all methods employed in this study area. However, the index of multivariate dispersion (IMD) test showed variations in relative abundances of macroinvertebrate communities among the methods. In summary, if the focus is not on rare taxa and the required information is not dependent on additional evidence provided by the use of lower taxonomic levels of identification (genus and species), the results of the present study support the use of the shorter 2-min RH kick sampling method for the bioassessment of wadeable rivers and streams in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melaku Getachew
- Ethiopian Institute of Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
| | | | - Seid Tiku Mereta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Geremew Sahilu Gebrie
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mary Kelly-Quinn
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, UCD Earth Institute, Dublin, Ireland
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Mazor RD, Topping BJ, Nadeau TL, Fritz KM, Kelso JE, Harrington RA, Beck WS, McCune KS, Allen AO, Leidy R, Robb JT, David GCL. Implementing an Operational Framework to Develop a Streamflow Duration Assessment Method: A Case Study from the Arid West United States. WATER 2021; 13:1-40. [PMID: 34976403 PMCID: PMC8715911 DOI: 10.3390/w13223310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Streamflow duration information underpins many management decisions. However, hydrologic data are rarely available where needed. Rapid streamflow duration assessment methods (SDAMs) classify reaches based on indicators that are measured in a single brief visit. We evaluated a proposed framework for developing SDAMs to develop an SDAM for the Arid West United States that can classify reaches as perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral. We identified 41 candidate biological, geomorphological, and hydrological indicators of streamflow duration in a literature review, evaluated them for a number of desirable criteria (e.g., defensibility and consistency), and measured 21 of them at 89 reaches with known flow durations. We selected metrics for the SDAM based on their ability to discriminate among flow duration classes in analyses of variance, as well as their importance in a random forest model to predict streamflow duration. This approach resulted in a "beta" SDAM that uses five biological indicators. It could discriminate between ephemeral and non-ephemeral reaches with 81% accuracy, but only 56% accuracy when distinguishing 3 classes. A final method will be developed following expanded data collection. This Arid West study demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach and paves the way for more efficient development of scientifically informed SDAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael D. Mazor
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
| | - Brian J. Topping
- Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Tracie-Lynn Nadeau
- Region 10, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Portland, OR 97205, USA
| | - Ken M. Fritz
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Julia E. Kelso
- Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | | | - Whitney S. Beck
- Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460, USA
| | - Kenneth S. McCune
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
| | - Aaron O. Allen
- Los Angeles District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
| | - Robert Leidy
- Region 9, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | - James T. Robb
- Sacramento District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
| | - Gabrielle C. L. David
- Engineer Research and Development Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Liu B, Li D, Chen S, Wu N, Guan Y. Improving biological condition assessment accuracy by multimetric index approach with microalgae in streams and lakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145417. [PMID: 33736158 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Multimetric index (MMI) approach is a broadly used in ecological assessment because it can integrate information of various kinds of ecologically related metrics of freshwater ecosystems and provide an easily understandable score for purpose of further evaluation and managements. Accounting for natural variation and disentangling covariation between natural environmental factors and human disturbance factors are imperative for an accurate assessment. Lots of progress has been made recently on the aforementioned two aspects. Three approaches, a priori classification of sites by regions or typologies, site-specific modeling of expected reference condition and varying metrics in site groups, have been tested in lakes and streams to improve assessment accuracy. All existed studies support that site-specific modeling can efficiently account for natural variation and generate a MMI with good performance. However, until now, no strong evidence has shown that diatom/blue-algae typologies are better than regionalization frameworks on accounting for natural variation either in lakes or in streams. To separate the natural variation explained by site specific modeling from that of varying metrics is necessary for a thorough and accurate evaluation on the valuableness of site-grouping by typologies. Different performance of varying metrics among site groups of streams and lakes was most probably caused by the lack of representativeness of diatom metrics on biological condition rather than the complex multi-stressor gradients in streams and rivers. A recent study showed that blue-green algae enhanced performance of diatom-based MMI on defining lake condition under high level of human disturbance. On the other hand, with more and more extensive and intensive use of statistics techniques in developing MMI, we also discussed some statistical challenges faced by scientists in field of ecological assessment, especially on setting significance level of a statistical test and multiple comparison issue in MMI performance comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Danmin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Shuo Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Naicheng Wu
- Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Center for Land and Marine Spatial Utilization and Governance Research, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yueqiang Guan
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China.
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Shupryt MP, Studinski JM. Spatial correlation of macroinvertebrate assemblages in streams and the implications for bioassessment programs. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:322. [PMID: 33945027 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Stream bioassessment using benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages is widely implemented by regulatory agencies, yet a critical question regarding spatial autocorrelation and sample independence remains: How much of a stream network does a point sample represent? Macroinvertebrate assemblages vary along a longitudinal gradient, likely due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors that alter water physiochemistry and habitat. A better understanding of how these gradients affect macroinvertebrate assemblage variance could prevent spatial over- and under-sampling within bioassessment efforts. This project investigated longitudinal patterns (10 s of km) of macroinvertebrate assemblages in 14 Wisconsin streams. Spatial autocorrelation was assessed using Moran's I and other multivariate methods with an emphasis on estimating the distance at which assemblages no longer display spatial correlation. Within most streams, there was a linear, direct relationship between assemblage dissimilarity and longitudinal distance, with distance to independence (DTI) ranging from 1.7-13.5 km. DTI was most strongly affected by conductivity, which is often a surrogate for a suite of anthropogenic effects. With increasing conductivity, DTI increases, suggesting more homogenous assemblages in disturbed streams. Natural factors like watershed size, channel gradient, and riparian slope also affected DTI. Considering spatial correlation in monitoring designs could improve the efficiency and application of regulatory bioassessment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Shupryt
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI, 53707, USA.
| | - Jered M Studinski
- College of Natural Resources, Trainer Natural Resources Building, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI, 54481-3897, USA
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Houghton DC, Lardner R. Ash-free dry mass values for northcentral USA caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera). Zookeys 2020; 951:37-46. [PMID: 32774104 PMCID: PMC7390801 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.951.49790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ash-free dry mass (AFDM) values are presented for the adult stage of 63 caddisfly species commonly found throughout the northcentral US. Weights ranged from 0.01 mg for the smallest species to 7.22 mg for the largest. These values represent the first published data on the AFDM of the adult stage of Trichoptera, and can be used in other studies for more precise assessments of stream conditions without destruction of specimens. This increased precision is demonstrated herein by re-analyzing a previously published data set.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Houghton
- Department of Biology, Hillsdale College, 33 East College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242, USA Hillsdale College Hillsdale United States of America
| | - Ryan Lardner
- Department of Biology, Hillsdale College, 33 East College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242, USA Hillsdale College Hillsdale United States of America
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Ligeiro R, Hughes RM, Kaufmann PR, Heino J, Melo AS, Callisto M. Choice of field and laboratory methods affects the detection of anthropogenic disturbances using stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2020; 115:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106382. [PMID: 34121931 PMCID: PMC8193819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and precise detection of anthropogenic impacts on stream ecosystems using macroinvertebrates as biological indicators depends on the use of appropriate field and laboratory methods. We assessed the responsiveness to anthropogenic disturbances of assemblage metrics and composition by comparing commonly employed alternative combinations of field sampling and individuals counting methods. Four datasets were derived by, in the field 1) conducting multihabitat sampling (MH) or 2) targeting samples in leaf packs (single-habitat sampling - SH) and, in the laboratory A) counting all individuals of the samples, or B) simulating subsampling of 300 individuals per sample. We collected our data from 39 headwater stream sites in a drainage basin located in the Brazilian Cerrado. We used a previously published quantitative integrated disturbance index (IDI), based on both local and catchment disturbance measurements, to characterize the intensity of anthropogenic alterations at each site. Family richness and % Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (% EPT) individuals obtained from each dataset were tested against the IDI through simple linear regressions, and the differences in assemblage composition between least- and most-disturbed sites was tested using Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA). When counting all individuals, differences in taxonomic richness and assemblage composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages between least- and most-disturbed sites were more pronounced in the MH than in the SH sampling method. Leaf packs seemed to concentrate high abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates in highly disturbed sites, acting as 'biodiversity hotbeds' in these situations, which likely reduced the response of the assemblages to the disturbance gradient when this substrate was targeted. However, MH sampling produced weaker results than SH when subsampling was performed. The % EPT individuals responded better to the disturbance gradient when SH was employed, and its efficiency was not affected by the subsampling procedure. We conclude that no single method was the best in all situations, and the efficiency of a sampling protocol depends on the combination of field and laboratory methods being used. Although the total count of individuals with multihabitat sampling obtained the best results for most of the evaluated variables, the decision of which procedures to use depends on the amount of time and resources available, on the variables of interest, on the availability of habitat types in the sites sampled, and on the other methods being employed in the sampling protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Ligeiro
- Universidade Federal do Pará, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Av. Augusto Correia 01, CEP 66075-110, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Robert M. Hughes
- Amnis Opes Institute and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research & Development, Center for Public Health & Environmental Assessment, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, 200 SW 35 Street, 97333, Corvallis, Oregon, USA, and Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, 97331, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Jani Heino
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, Paavo Havaksen Tie 3, 90570, Oulu, Finland
| | - Adriano S. Melo
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Ecologia, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, CEP 91501-970, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Callisto
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Laboratório de Ecologia de Bentos, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, CEP 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Beck MW, O’Hara C, Stewart Lowndes JS, D. Mazor R, Theroux S, J. Gillett D, Lane B, Gearheart G. The importance of open science for biological assessment of aquatic environments. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9539. [PMID: 32742805 PMCID: PMC7377246 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Open science principles that seek to improve science can effectively bridge the gap between researchers and environmental managers. However, widespread adoption has yet to gain traction for the development and application of bioassessment products. At the core of this philosophy is the concept that research should be reproducible and transparent, in addition to having long-term value through effective data preservation and sharing. In this article, we review core open science concepts that have recently been adopted in the ecological sciences and emphasize how adoption can benefit the field of bioassessment for both prescriptive condition assessments and proactive applications that inform environmental management. An example from the state of California demonstrates effective adoption of open science principles through data stewardship, reproducible research, and engagement of stakeholders with multimedia applications. We also discuss technical, sociocultural, and institutional challenges for adopting open science, including practical approaches for overcoming these hurdles in bioassessment applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus W. Beck
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Casey O’Hara
- Bren School of Environmental Sciences & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | | | - Raphael D. Mazor
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - Susanna Theroux
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - David J. Gillett
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - Belize Lane
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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Souza NFD, Baptista DF, Buss DF. A predictive index based on environmental filters for the bioassessment of river basins without reference areas in Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2018-0601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Biological assessments that use the reference condition approach are based on the concept of comparing a site's observed biology to sites where disturbance is minimal or absent. However, in many regions of the world, such areas are scarce or nonexistent. In this study, an alternative approach proposed by Chessman and Royal for bioassessment without reference areas based on environmental filters was tested in Brazil. This approach assumes that key environmental features act in the selection of potential colonists, from a regional pool of taxa, based on the ecological traits (tolerances) possessed by each taxon. We developed the approach by: 1) determining the regional pool, based on a large Atlantic Forest biome database; 2) selecting environmental filters (elevation, original vegetation and soil type); and 3) including information on the tolerance and preferences of aquatic insects to these filters. With this information we were able to determine the expected taxon under natural conditions and compare with observed taxon, developing a predictive index (Observed/Expected). Although the model was intended to predict the fauna in regions without reference sites, we included reference areas to test the model responsiveness, precision and sensitivity. Our results indicated that the index was able to discriminate impairment classes (F=56.9; p<0,001), it has high precision due to low standard deviation across reference sites values (SD=0.098) and high sensitivity due the correlation with environmental variables that are sensitive to human alteration (r=0.74, p<0.01). Also, it was strongly correlated with multimetric indices developed for multiple watersheds in the state, showing agreement between the methods in relation to ecological quality classification. Even though the predictive index had performed well in our study, we make some considerations that may help to improve its sensitivity of similar methods that are being tested using the environmental filters approach.
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Hämäläinen H, Aroviita J, Jyväsjärvi J, Kärkkäinen S. Dangerous relationships: biases in freshwater bioassessment based on observed to expected ratios. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2018; 28:1260-1272. [PMID: 29645323 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The ecological assessment of freshwaters is currently primarily based on biological communities and the reference condition approach (RCA). In the RCA, the communities in streams and lakes disturbed by humans are compared with communities in reference conditions with no or minimal anthropogenic influence. The currently favored rationale is using selected community metrics for which the expected values (E) for each site are typically estimated from environmental variables using a predictive model based on the reference data. The proportional differences between the observed values (O) and E are then derived, and the decision rules for status assessment are based on fixed (typically 10th or 25th) percentiles of the O/E ratios among reference sites. Based on mathematical formulations, illustrations by simulated data and real case studies representing such an assessment approach, we demonstrate that the use of a common quantile of O/E ratios will, under certain conditions, cause severe bias in decision making even if the predictive model would be unbiased. This is because the variance of O/E under these conditions, which seem to be quite common among the published applications, varies systematically with E. We propose a correction method for the bias and compare the novel approach to the conventional one in our case studies, with data from both reference and impacted sites. The results highlight a conceptual issue of employing ratios in the status assessment. In some cases using the absolute deviations instead provides a simple solution for the bias identified and might also be more ecologically relevant and defensible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heikki Hämäläinen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä, FI-40014, Finland
| | - Jukka Aroviita
- Finnish Environment Institute, Freshwater Centre, PO Box 413, Oulu, 90014, Finland
| | - Jussi Jyväsjärvi
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Salme Kärkkäinen
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Jyvaskyla, P.O. Box 35, Jyväskylä, FI-40014, Finland
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11
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Speak A, Escobedo FJ, Russo A, Zerbe S. Comparing convenience and probability sampling for urban ecology applications. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco J. Escobedo
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Universidad del Rosario; Bogotá Colombia
| | - Alessio Russo
- Laboratory of Urban and Landscape Design; Far Eastern Federal University; Vladivostok Russia
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12
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Moran PW, Nowell LH, Kemble NE, Mahler BJ, Waite IR, Van Metre PC. Influence of sediment chemistry and sediment toxicity on macroinvertebrate communities across 99 wadable streams of the Midwestern USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:1469-1478. [PMID: 28531955 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Simultaneous assessment of sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, and macroinvertebrate communities can provide multiple lines of evidence when investigating relations between sediment contaminants and ecological degradation. These three measures were evaluated at 99 wadable stream sites across 11 states in the Midwestern United States during the summer of 2013 to assess sediment pollution across a large agricultural landscape. This evaluation considers an extensive suite of sediment chemistry totaling 274 analytes (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, trace elements, and current-use pesticides) and a mixture assessment based on the ratios of detected compounds to available effects-based benchmarks. The sediments were tested for toxicity with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (28-d exposure), the midge Chironomus dilutus (10-d), and, at a few sites, with the freshwater mussel Lampsilis siliquoidea (28-d). Sediment concentrations, normalized to organic carbon content, infrequently exceeded benchmarks for aquatic health, which was generally consistent with low rates of observed toxicity. However, the benchmark-based mixture score and the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin were significantly related to observed sediment toxicity. The sediment mixture score and bifenthrin were also significant predictors of the upper limits of several univariate measures of the macroinvertebrate community (EPT percent, MMI (Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index) Score, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera richness) using quantile regression. Multivariate pattern matching (Mantel-like tests) of macroinvertebrate species per site to identified contaminant metrics and sediment toxicity also indicate that the sediment mixture score and bifenthrin have weak, albeit significant, influence on the observed invertebrate community composition. Together, these three lines of evidence (toxicity tests, univariate metrics, and multivariate community analysis) suggest that elevated contaminant concentrations in sediments, in particular bifenthrin, is limiting macroinvertebrate communities in several of these Midwest streams.
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13
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Ellingsen KE, Yoccoz NG, Tveraa T, Hewitt JE, Thrush SF. Long-term environmental monitoring for assessment of change: measurement inconsistencies over time and potential solutions. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:595. [PMID: 29086027 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6317-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The importance of long-term environmental monitoring and research for detecting and understanding changes in ecosystems and human impacts on natural systems is widely acknowledged. Over the last decades, a number of critical components for successful long-term monitoring have been identified. One basic component is quality assurance/quality control protocols to ensure consistency and comparability of data. In Norway, the authorities require environmental monitoring of the impacts of the offshore petroleum industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, and in 1996, a large-scale regional environmental monitoring program was established. As a case study, we used a sub-set of data from this monitoring to explore concepts regarding best practices for long-term environmental monitoring. Specifically, we examined data from physical and chemical sediment samples and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages from 11 stations from six sampling occasions during the period 1996-2011. Despite the established quality assessment and quality control protocols for this monitoring program, we identified several data challenges, such as missing values and outliers, discrepancies in variable and station names, changes in procedures without calibration, and different taxonomic resolution. Furthermore, we show that the use of different laboratories over time makes it difficult to draw conclusions with regard to some of the observed changes. We offer recommendations to facilitate comparison of data over time. We also present a new procedure to handle different taxonomic resolution, so valuable historical data is not discarded. These topics have a broader relevance and application than for our case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari E Ellingsen
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Nigel G Yoccoz
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Torkild Tveraa
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Judi E Hewitt
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Simon F Thrush
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Flotemersch JE, Saavedra JM, Laffitte L, Laurenzano B, Bonardi MA, Blocksom KA. Benthic macroinvertebrate field sampling effort required to produce a sample adequate for the assessment of rivers and streams of Neuquén Province, Argentina. LIMNOLOGICA (ONLINE) 2017; 65:55-60. [PMID: 30147196 PMCID: PMC6104846 DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This multi-year pilot study evaluated a proposed field method for its effectiveness in the collection of a benthic macroinvertebrate sample adequate for use in the condition assessment of streams and rivers in the Neuquén Province, Argentina. A total of 13 sites, distributed across three rivers, were sampled. At each site, benthic macroinvertebrates were collected at 11 transects. Each sample was processed independently in the field and laboratory. Based on a literature review and resource considerations, the collection of 300 organisms (minimum) at each site was determined to be necessary to support a robust condition assessment, and therefore, selected as the criterion for judging the adequacy of the method. This targeted number of organisms was collected at all sites, at a minimum, when collections from all 11 transects were combined. Subsequent bootstrapping analysis of data was used to estimate whether collecting at fewer transects would reach the minimum target number of organisms for all sites. In a subset of sites, the total number of organisms frequently fell below the target when fewer than 11 transects collections were combined.Site conditions where < 300 organisms might be collected are discussed. These preliminary results suggest that the proposed field method results in a sample that is adequate for robust condition assessment of the rivers and streams of interest. When data become available from a broader range of sites, the adequacy of the field method should be reassessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E. Flotemersch
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Julieta Muñiz Saavedra
- Dirección General de Biología Acuática, Neuquén Province, San Martín de los Andes, 8370, Argentina
| | - Lorena Laffitte
- Dirección General de Biología Acuática, Neuquén Province, San Martín de los Andes, 8370, Argentina
| | - Betina Laurenzano
- Dirección Provincial de Recursos Hídricos, Neuquén Province, Neuquén 8300, Argentina
| | | | - Karen A. Blocksom
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 200 S.W. 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA
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15
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Poikane S, Ritterbusch D, Argillier C, Białokoz W, Blabolil P, Breine J, Jaarsma NG, Krause T, Kubečka J, Lauridsen TL, Nõges P, Peirson G, Virbickas T. Response of fish communities to multiple pressures: Development of a total anthropogenic pressure intensity index. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 586:502-511. [PMID: 28214116 PMCID: PMC6461715 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Lakes in Europe are subject to multiple anthropogenic pressures, such as eutrophication, habitat degradation and introduction of alien species, which are frequently inter-related. Therefore, effective assessment methods addressing multiple pressures are needed. In addition, these systems have to be harmonised (i.e. intercalibrated) to achieve common management objectives across Europe. Assessments of fish communities inform environmental policies on ecological conditions integrating the impacts of multiple pressures. However, the challenge is to ensure consistency in ecological assessments through time, across ecosystem types and across jurisdictional boundaries. To overcome the serious comparability issues between national assessment systems in Europe, a total anthropogenic pressure intensity (TAPI) index was developed as a weighted combination of the most common pressures in European lakes that is validated against 10 national fish-based water quality assessment systems using data from 556 lakes. Multi-pressure indices showed significantly higher correlations with fish indices than single-pressure indices. The best-performing index combines eutrophication, hydromorphological alterations and human use intensity of lakes. For specific lake types also biological pressures may constitute an important additional pressure. The best-performing index showed a strong correlation with eight national fish-based assessment systems. This index can be used in lake management for assessing total anthropogenic pressure on lake ecosystems and creates a benchmark for comparison of fish assessments independent of fish community composition, size structure and fishing-gear. We argue that fish-based multiple-pressure assessment tools should be seen as complementary to single-pressure tools offering the major advantage of integrating direct and indirect effects of multiple pressures over large scales of space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Poikane
- European Commission Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Sustainable Resources, Water and Marine Resources Unit, I-21027 Ispra, VA, Italy.
| | - David Ritterbusch
- Institute of Inland Fisheries, Im Königswald 2, 14469 Potsdam-Sacrow, Germany
| | - Christine Argillier
- Irstea, UR RECOVER, 3275 Route de Cézanne CS 40061, 13182 Aix en Provence Cedex 5, France
| | - Witold Białokoz
- Inland Fisheries Institute, Oczapowskiego 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Petr Blabolil
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Breine
- Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Dwersbos 28, B-1630 Linkebeek, Belgium
| | | | - Teet Krause
- Centre for Limnology, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jan Kubečka
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Torben L Lauridsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Peeter Nõges
- Centre for Limnology, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Tomas Virbickas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius-21, Lithuania
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16
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Miller S, Eldred P, Muldoon A, Anlauf-Dunn K, Stein C, Hubler S, Merrick L, Haxton N, Larson C, Rehn A, Ode P, Vander Laan J. A Large-Scale, Multiagency Approach to Defining a Reference Network for Pacific Northwest Streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 58:1091-1104. [PMID: 27688255 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic monitoring programs vary widely in objectives and design. However, each program faces the unifying challenge of assessing conditions and quantifying reasonable expectations for measured indicators. A common approach for setting resource expectations is to define reference conditions that represent areas of least human disturbance or most natural state of a resource characterized by the range of natural variability across a region of interest. Identification of reference sites often relies heavily on professional judgment, resulting in varying and unrepeatable methods. Standardized methods for data collection, site characterization, and reference site selection facilitate greater cooperation among assessment programs and development of assessment tools that are readily shareable and comparable. We illustrate an example that can serve the broader global monitoring community on how to create a consistent and transparent reference network for multiple stream resource agencies. We provide a case study that offers a simple example of how reference sites can be used, at the landscape level, to link upslope management practices to a specific in-channel response. We found management practices, particularly areas with high road densities, have more fine sediments than areas with fewer roads. While this example uses data from only one of the partner agencies, if data were collected in a similar manner they can be combined and create a larger, more robust dataset. We hope that this starts a dialog regarding more standardized ways through inter-agency collaborations to evaluate data. Creating more consistency in physical and biological field protocols will increase the ability to share data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Miller
- Aquatic and Riparian Monitoring Program, US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA.
| | - Peter Eldred
- Aquatic and Riparian Monitoring Program, US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Ariel Muldoon
- College of Forestry, Oregon State University, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Kara Anlauf-Dunn
- Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Oregon, Hwy 34, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Charlie Stein
- Department of Fish and Wildlife, State of Oregon, Hwy 34, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Shannon Hubler
- Department of Environmental Quality, State of Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, USA
| | - Lesley Merrick
- Department of Environmental Quality, State of Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, USA
| | - Nick Haxton
- Department of Environmental Quality, State of Oregon, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, USA
| | - Chad Larson
- Environmental Assessment Program, Washington State Department of Ecology, Lacey, WA, 98503, USA
| | - Andrew Rehn
- Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Peter Ode
- Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jake Vander Laan
- Department of Watershed Sciences, Western Center for Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems, and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322-5210, USA
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17
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Kosnicki E, Sefick SA, Paller MH, Jerrell MS, Prusha BA, Sterrett SC, Tuberville TD, Feminella JW. A Stream Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index (MMI) for the Sand Hills Ecoregion of the Southeastern Plains, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 58:741-751. [PMID: 27581726 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0740-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A macroinvertebrate multimetric index is an effective tool for assessing the biological integrity of streams. However, data collected under a single protocol may not be available for an entire region. We sampled macroinvertebrates from the full extent of the Sand Hills ecoregion Level IV of the Southeastern Plains with a standard protocol during the summers of 2010-2012. We evaluated the performance of 94 metrics through a series of screening criteria and built 48 macroinvertebrate multimetric indexs with combinations of the best performing metrics, representing richness, habit, functional feeding guild, sensitivity, and community composition. A series of narrative-response tests for each macroinvertebrate multimetric index was used to find the best performing macroinvertebrate multimetric index which we called the Sand Hills macroinvertebrate multimetric index. The Sand Hills macroinvertebrate multimetric index consisted of the measures Biotic Index, % Shredder taxa, Clinger taxa(2)/total taxa, Plecoptera and Trichoptera richness, and Tanytarsini taxa(2)/Chironomidae taxa. Comparison of the Sand Hills macroinvertebrate multimetric index with existing assessment tools calculated with our data indicated that the Sand Hills macroinvertebrate multimetric index performs at a high level with regard to identifying degraded sites and in its response to stress gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ely Kosnicki
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA.
| | - Stephen A Sefick
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | | | - Miller S Jerrell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Blair A Prusha
- Midwest Biodiversity Institute, 5530 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43235, USA
| | - Sean C Sterrett
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Tracey D Tuberville
- University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecological Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, SC, 29802, USA
| | - Jack W Feminella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
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18
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Poikane S, Johnson RK, Sandin L, Schartau AK, Solimini AG, Urbanič G, Arbačiauskas K, Aroviita J, Gabriels W, Miler O, Pusch MT, Timm H, Böhmer J. Benthic macroinvertebrates in lake ecological assessment: A review of methods, intercalibration and practical recommendations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 543:123-134. [PMID: 26580734 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Legislation in Europe has been adopted to determine and improve the ecological integrity of inland and coastal waters. Assessment is based on four biotic groups, including benthic macroinvertebrate communities. For lakes, benthic invertebrates have been recognized as one of the most difficult organism groups to use in ecological assessment, and hitherto their use in ecological assessment has been limited. In this study, we review and intercalibrate 13 benthic invertebrate-based tools across Europe. These assessment tools address different human impacts: acidification (3 methods), eutrophication (3 methods), morphological alterations (2 methods), and a combination of the last two (5 methods). For intercalibration, the methods were grouped into four intercalibration groups, according to the habitat sampled and putative pressure. Boundaries of the 'good ecological status' were compared and harmonized using direct or indirect comparison approaches. To enable indirect comparison of the methods, three common pressure indices and two common biological multimetric indices were developed for larger geographical areas. Additionally, we identified the best-performing methods based on their responsiveness to different human impacts. Based on these experiences, we provide practical recommendations for the development and harmonization of benthic invertebrate assessment methods in lakes and similar habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Poikane
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Water Resources Unit, 21027 Ispra, Italy.
| | - Richard K Johnson
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Leonard Sandin
- Institute of Freshwater Research, Department of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Stångholmsvägen 2, SE-178 93 Drottningholm, Sweden
| | | | - Angelo G Solimini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gorazd Urbanič
- Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Jukka Aroviita
- Freshwater Centre, Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Wim Gabriels
- Flemish Environment Agency, Department Water Monitoring, Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Oliver Miler
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin T Pusch
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 301, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henn Timm
- Centre for Limnology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 61117 Rannu, Tartumaa, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Böhmer
- Bioforum GmbH, Sudetenstr. 34, 73230 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany
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19
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Schuwirth N, Dietzel A, Reichert P. The importance of biotic interactions for the prediction of macroinvertebrate communities under multiple stressors. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nele Schuwirth
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Ueberlandstrasse 133, P.O.Box 611 CH‐8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Anne Dietzel
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Ueberlandstrasse 133, P.O.Box 611 CH‐8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Peter Reichert
- Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology Ueberlandstrasse 133, P.O.Box 611 CH‐8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
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20
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Pahissa J, Catalan J, Morabito G, Dörflinger G, Ferreira J, Laplace-Treyture C, Gîrbea R, Marchetto A, Polykarpou P, de Hoyos C. Benefits and limitations of an intercalibration of phytoplankton assessment methods based on the Mediterranean GIG reservoir experience. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 538:169-179. [PMID: 26298850 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The status of European legislation regarding inland water quality after the enactment of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) originated scientific effort to develop reliable methods, primarily based on biological parameters. An important aspect of the process was to ensure that quality assessment was comparable between the different Member States. The Intercalibration process (IC), required in the WFD ensures the unbiased application of the norm. The presented results were developed in the context of the 2nd IC phase. An overview of the reservoir type definition of the Lake Mediterranean Geographical Intercalibration Group, where four types were considered divided by both alkalinity and climate, together with the results for selection of Maximum Ecological Potential sites (MEP) are presented. MEP reservoirs were selected based on pressure and biological variables. Three phytoplankton-based assessment methods were intercalibrated using data from Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (Spain), the New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (Portugal and Cyprus) and the New Italian Method (Italy) were applied. These three methods were compared through option 3 of the Intercalibration Guide. The similarity of the assessments was quantified, and the Good/Moderate (GM) boundaries assessed. All three methods stood as comparable at the GM boundary except for the MASRP in siliceous wet reservoirs, which was slightly stricter. Finally, the main taxonomic groups represented in the phytoplankton community at MEP conditions were identified, as well as their main changes with an increasing trophic status. MEP sites are dominated by chrysophytes in siliceous wet reservoirs and by the diatoms Cyclotella and Achnanthes in calcareous ones. Cyanobacteria take over the community in both calcareous and siliceous wet reservoirs as eutrophication increases. In summary, the relevance and reliability of the quality assessment methods compared were confirmed both from an ecological perspective and a health risk management point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pahissa
- Department of Aquatic Environment, Centre for Hydrographic Studies, CEDEX, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jordi Catalan
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, CEAB, CSIC, Blanes, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Morabito
- Institute for Ecosystem Study, National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | | | - João Ferreira
- Department of Water Resources, Portuguese Environment Agency, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Ruxandra Gîrbea
- National Administration "Apele Române", Department River Basin Management Plans, Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Aldo Marchetto
- Institute for Ecosystem Study, National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | | | - Caridad de Hoyos
- Department of Aquatic Environment, Centre for Hydrographic Studies, CEDEX, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Labay BJ, Hendrickson DA, Cohen AE, Bonner TH, King RS, Kleinsasser LJ, Linam GW, Winemiller KO. Can Species Distribution Models Aid Bioassessment when Reference Sites are Lacking? Tests Based on Freshwater Fishes. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 56:835-846. [PMID: 26092052 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0567-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent literature reviews of bioassessment methods raise questions about use of least-impacted reference sites to characterize natural conditions that no longer exist within contemporary landscapes. We explore an alternate approach for bioassessment that uses species site occupancy data from museum archives as input for species distribution models (SDMs) stacked to predict species assemblages of freshwater fishes in Texas. When data for estimating reference conditions are lacking, deviation between richness of contemporary versus modeled species assemblages could provide a means to infer relative biological integrity at appropriate spatial scales. We constructed SDMs for 100 freshwater fish species to compare predicted species assemblages to data on contemporary assemblages acquired by four independent surveys that sampled 269 sites. We then compared site-specific observed/predicted ratios of the number of species at sites to scores from a multimetric index of biotic integrity (IBI). Predicted numbers of species were moderately to strongly correlated with the numbers observed by the four surveys. We found significant, though weak, relationships between observed/predicted ratios and IBI scores. SDM-based assessments identified patterns of local assemblage change that were congruent with IBI inferences; however, modeling artifacts that likely contributed to over-prediction of species presence may restrict the stand-alone use of SDM-derived patterns for bioassessment and therefore warrant examination. Our results suggest that when extensive standardized survey data that include reference sites are lacking, as is commonly the case, SDMs derived from generally much more readily available species site occupancy data could be used to provide a complementary tool for bioassessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Labay
- Department of Integrative Biology, Biodiversity Collections, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA,
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22
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Lau JK, Lauer TE. Nationwide benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage multimetric indices: identifying inconsistencies and limitations in reporting stream impairment status, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 56:11-23. [PMID: 25832346 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0478-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the current status of stream water-quality assessment and reporting methods for four states in the Ohio River basin (Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia), as required by the 305(b) section of the United States (US) Clean Water Act. Specifically, we clarified the discrepancies that exist among stream-impairment status classified by benthic macroinvertebrate multimetric indices (MMIs) and depicted using Geographic Information Systems shapefiles. In addition, we provided guidance in solving some of the comparability problems that arise when developing state-specific MMIs and depicting stream-impairment status using Geographic Information Systems technology. The MMI variation among states and differences in shapefile formats resulted in a nationwide dataset, which cannot be directly compared. Incorporating the changes suggested in this study allow for a uniform assessment and reporting method nationwide. Successful implementation of these changes would strengthen the US Environmental Protection Agency efforts to identify impaired streams and sources of those impairments without the limitations of state-by-state .developed assessment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Lau
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA,
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Influence of a forest preserve on aquatic macroinvertebrates, habitat quality, and water quality in an urban stream. Urban Ecosyst 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-015-0464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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24
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Buss DF, Carlisle DM, Chon TS, Culp J, Harding JS, Keizer-Vlek HE, Robinson WA, Strachan S, Thirion C, Hughes RM. Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2015; 187:4132. [PMID: 25487459 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-4132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Water quality agencies and scientists are increasingly adopting standardized sampling methodologies because of the challenges associated with interpreting data derived from dissimilar protocols. Here, we compare 13 protocols for monitoring streams from different regions and countries around the globe. Despite the spatially diverse range of countries assessed, many aspects of bioassessment structure and protocols were similar, thereby providing evidence of key characteristics that might be incorporated in a global sampling methodology. Similarities were found regarding sampler type, mesh size, sampling period, subsampling methods, and taxonomic resolution. Consistent field and laboratory methods are essential for merging data sets collected by multiple institutions to enable large-scale comparisons. We discuss the similarities and differences among protocols and present current trends and future recommendations for monitoring programs, especially for regions where large-scale protocols do not yet exist. We summarize the current state in one of these regions, Latin America, and comment on the possible development path for these techniques in this region. We conclude that several aspects of stream biomonitoring need additional performance evaluation (accuracy, precision, discriminatory power, relative costs), particularly when comparing targeted habitat (only the commonest habitat type) versus site-wide sampling (multiple habitat types), appropriate levels of sampling and processing effort, and standardized indicators to resolve dissimilarities among biomonitoring methods. Global issues such as climate change are creating an environment where there is an increasing need to have universally consistent data collection, processing and storage to enable large-scale trend analysis. Biomonitoring programs following standardized methods could aid international data sharing and interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Buss
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil,
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25
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Garey AL, Smock LA. Principles for the Development of Contemporary Bioassessment Indices for Freshwater Ecosystems. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-14212-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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26
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Feio MJ, Ferreira J, Buffagni A, Erba S, Dörflinger G, Ferréol M, Munné A, Prat N, Tziortzis I, Urbanič G. Comparability of ecological quality boundaries in the Mediterranean basin using freshwater benthic invertebrates. Statistical options and implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 476-477:777-784. [PMID: 23993684 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.07.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Within the Mediterranean region each country has its own assessment method based on aquatic macroinvertebrates. However, independently of the classification system, quality assessments should be comparable across members of the European Commission, which means, among others, that the boundaries between classes should not deviate significantly. Here we check for comparability between High-Good and Good-Moderate classifications, through the use of a common metric. Additionally, we discuss the influence of the conceptual and statistical approaches used to calculate a common boundary within the Mediterranean countries participating in the Intercalibration Exercise (e.g., using individual national type-boundaries, one value for each common type or an average boundary by country; weighted average, median) in the overall outcome. All methods, except for the IBMWP (the Iberian BMWP) when applied to temporary rivers, were highly correlated (0.82<R<0.98) with the common metric STAR-ICMi. This index was shown to respond well to a variety of pressures (especially local habitat alterations, riparian vegetation degradation, nutrient enrichment and chemical contamination, land use and global degradation; p<0.00001) affecting Mediterranean streams. However, depending on the statistical approach used, a different number of class boundaries failed the acceptable deviation from the common boundary (a quarter of class width). That leads to a different percentage of national sites failing to achieve good status and ultimately to a different technical and economic effort in the recovery of streams to that condition. We argue that low/high boundaries might have different meanings not restricted to the quality (good/bad) of reference conditions but also to the natural spatial and temporal variability contained in national and intercalibration types. The highly variable hydrological regimes of Mediterranean streams may influence the reference condition and require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Feio
- Institute of Marine Research (IMAR-CMA), Dept. of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - J Ferreira
- Portuguese Environment Agency (APA, I.P.), Portugal
| | - A Buffagni
- CNR-IRSA Water Research Institute, Brugherio, Italy
| | - S Erba
- CNR-IRSA Water Research Institute, Brugherio, Italy
| | - G Dörflinger
- Water Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Cyprus
| | | | | | - N Prat
- Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Tziortzis
- Water Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Cyprus
| | - G Urbanič
- Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenia
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Almeida SFP, Elias C, Ferreira J, Tornés E, Puccinelli C, Delmas F, Dörflinger G, Urbanič G, Marcheggiani S, Rosebery J, Mancini L, Sabater S. Water quality assessment of rivers using diatom metrics across Mediterranean Europe: a methods intercalibration exercise. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 476-477:768-776. [PMID: 24342490 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The European Water Framework Directive establishes a framework for the protection of water resources. However, common water management tools demand common understanding of assessment methods, so quality goals are equally met. Intercalibration of methods ensures the comparability of biological elements across similar geographical areas. Many aspects can influence the outcome of intercalibration: data sampling, treatment methods, taxonomic reliability of databases, choice of metrics for ecological quality status classification, and criteria for selecting reference sites. This study describes the potentials and constraints of the intercalibration of indices using diatoms for assessment of Mediterranean rivers. Harmonisation of diatom taxonomy and nomenclature was based on a previous ring test which took place at the European level. Four diatom indices (Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique-IPS, Indice Biologique Diatomées-IBD 2007, Intercalibration Common Metric Italy-ICMi and Slovenian Ecological Status assessment system) were intercalibrated using data from six European Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, France, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain). Boundaries between High/Good and Good/Moderate quality classes were harmonised by means of the Intercalibration Common Metric (ICM). Comparability between countries was assured through boundary bias and class agreement. The national boundaries were adjusted when they deviated more than a quarter of a class equivalent (0.25) from the global mean. All national methods correlated well with the ICM, which was sensitive to water quality (negatively correlated to nutrients). Achnanthidium minutissimum sensu lato was the most discriminative species of Good ecological status class. Planothidium frequentissimum, Gomphonema parvulum and Nitzschia palea were the most contributive to Moderate ecological status class. Some taxa were discriminative for both Good and Moderate ecological status classes due to low indication and ecological discriminative power but also due to differences in taxonomy between countries. This intercalibration exercise allowed establishment of common water quality goals across Mediterranean Europe, which is substantiated with the ICM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salomé F P Almeida
- Department of Biology, GeoBioSciences GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering (GeoBioTec) Research Centre, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Carmen Elias
- Department of Biology, GeoBioSciences GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering (GeoBioTec) Research Centre, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Ferreira
- Water Institute, Av. Almirante Gago Coutinho, no. 30, 1049-066 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Elisabet Tornés
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technologic Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit, 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montivili, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Camilla Puccinelli
- Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Environment & Primary Prevention Department, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Gerald Dörflinger
- Water Development Department, 100-110 Kennenty Avenue, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Gorazd Urbanič
- Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, Hajdrihova 28c, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Stefania Marcheggiani
- Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Environment & Primary Prevention Department, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Laura Mancini
- Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), Environment & Primary Prevention Department, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technologic Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit, 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montivili, 17071 Girona, Spain
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28
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Waite IR, Kennen JG, May JT, Brown LR, Cuffney TF, Jones KA, Orlando JL. Stream macroinvertebrate response models for bioassessment metrics: addressing the issue of spatial scale. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90944. [PMID: 24675770 PMCID: PMC3968005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed independent predictive disturbance models for a full regional data set and four individual ecoregions (Full Region vs. Individual Ecoregion models) to evaluate effects of spatial scale on the assessment of human landscape modification, on predicted response of stream biota, and the effect of other possible confounding factors, such as watershed size and elevation, on model performance. We selected macroinvertebrate sampling sites for model development (n = 591) and validation (n = 467) that met strict screening criteria from four proximal ecoregions in the northeastern U.S.: North Central Appalachians, Ridge and Valley, Northeastern Highlands, and Northern Piedmont. Models were developed using boosted regression tree (BRT) techniques for four macroinvertebrate metrics; results were compared among ecoregions and metrics. Comparing within a region but across the four macroinvertebrate metrics, the average richness of tolerant taxa (RichTOL) had the highest R2 for BRT models. Across the four metrics, final BRT models had between four and seven explanatory variables and always included a variable related to urbanization (e.g., population density, percent urban, or percent manmade channels), and either a measure of hydrologic runoff (e.g., minimum April, average December, or maximum monthly runoff) and(or) a natural landscape factor (e.g., riparian slope, precipitation, and elevation), or a measure of riparian disturbance. Contrary to our expectations, Full Region models explained nearly as much variance in the macroinvertebrate data as Individual Ecoregion models, and taking into account watershed size or elevation did not appear to improve model performance. As a result, it may be advantageous for bioassessment programs to develop large regional models as a preliminary assessment of overall disturbance conditions as long as the range in natural landscape variability is not excessive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R. Waite
- U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jonathan G. Kennen
- U.S. Geological Survey, West Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Jason T. May
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Larry R. Brown
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas F. Cuffney
- U.S. Geological Survey, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kimberly A. Jones
- U.S. Geological Survey, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - James L. Orlando
- U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, California, United States of America
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Dafforn KA, Baird DJ, Chariton AA, Sun MY, Brown MV, Simpson SL, Kelaher BP, Johnston EL. Faster, Higher and Stronger? The Pros and Cons of Molecular Faunal Data for Assessing Ecosystem Condition. ADV ECOL RES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-08-099970-8.00003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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Birk S, Willby NJ, Kelly MG, Bonne W, Borja A, Poikane S, van de Bund W. Intercalibrating classifications of ecological status: Europe's quest for common management objectives for aquatic ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 454-455:490-499. [PMID: 23567169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Halting and reversing the deterioration of aquatic ecosystems requires concerted action across state boundaries and administrative barriers. However, the achievement of common management objectives is jeopardised by different national quality targets and ambitions. The European Water Framework Directive requires that quality classifications are harmonised via an intercalibration exercise, ensuring a consistent level of ambition in the protection and restoration of surface water bodies across the Member States of the European Union. We outline the key principles of the intercalibration methodology, review the achievements of intercalibration and discuss its benefits and drawbacks. Less than half of the required intercalibration has been completed, mostly due to a lack of national assessment methods. The process has fostered a scientific debate on ecological classification with important implications for environmental management. Despite a significant level of statistical abstraction, intercalibration yielded a fundamental and unified vision of what constitutes good ecology across Europe, in principle ensuring greater parity in the funds invested to achieve good ecological status.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Birk
- Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany.
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31
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Ansah YB, Frimpong EA, Amisah S. Biological assessment of aquaculture effects on effluent-receiving streams in Ghana using structural and functional composition of fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2012; 50:166-180. [PMID: 22555961 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-012-9858-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Biological assessment of aquatic ecosystems is widely employed as an alternative or complement to chemical and toxicity testing due to numerous advantages of using biota to determine ecosystem condition. These advantages, especially to developing countries, include the relatively low cost and technical requirements. This study was conducted to determine the biological impacts of aquaculture operations on effluent-receiving streams in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. We collected water, fish and benthic macroinvertebrate samples from 12 aquaculture effluent-receiving streams upstream and downstream of fish farms and 12 reference streams between May and August of 2009, and then calculated structural and functional metrics for biotic assemblages. Fish species with non-guarding mode of reproduction were more abundant in reference streams than downstream (P = 0.0214) and upstream (P = 0.0251), and sand-detritus spawning fish were less predominant in reference stream than upstream (P = 0.0222) and marginally less in downstream locations (P = 0.0539). A possible subsidy-stress response of macroinvertebrate family richness and abundance was also observed, with nutrient (nitrogen) augmentation from aquaculture and other farming activities likely. Generally, there were no, or only marginal differences among locations downstream and upstream of fish farms and in reference streams in terms of several other biotic metrics considered. Therefore, the scale of impact in the future will depend not only on the management of nutrient augmentation from pond effluents, but also on the consideration of nutrient discharges from other industries like fruit and vegetable farming within the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaw Boamah Ansah
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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32
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Webb JM, Jacobus LM, Funk DH, Zhou X, Kondratieff B, Geraci CJ, DeWalt RE, Baird DJ, Richard B, Phillips I, Hebert PDN. A DNA barcode library for North American Ephemeroptera: progress and prospects. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38063. [PMID: 22666447 PMCID: PMC3364165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA barcoding of aquatic macroinvertebrates holds much promise as a tool for taxonomic research and for providing the reliable identifications needed for water quality assessment programs. A prerequisite for identification using barcodes is a reliable reference library. We gathered 4165 sequences from the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene representing 264 nominal and 90 provisional species of mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. No species shared barcode sequences and all can be identified with barcodes with the possible exception of some Caenis. Minimum interspecific distances ranged from 0.3–24.7% (mean: 12.5%), while the average intraspecific divergence was 1.97%. The latter value was inflated by the presence of very high divergences in some taxa. In fact, nearly 20% of the species included two or three haplotype clusters showing greater than 5.0% sequence divergence and some values are as high as 26.7%. Many of the species with high divergences are polyphyletic and likely represent species complexes. Indeed, many of these polyphyletic species have numerous synonyms and individuals in some barcode clusters show morphological attributes characteristic of the synonymized species. In light of our findings, it is imperative that type or topotype specimens be sequenced to correctly associate barcode clusters with morphological species concepts and to determine the status of currently synonymized species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Webb
- Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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