A macroinvertebrate index to assess stream-bed stability
Arved C. Schwendel A C , Michael K. Joy A , Russell G. Death A and Ian C. Fuller B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Ecology Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
B Geography Program, School of People, Environment & Planning, Massey University,Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: A.C.Schwendel@massey.ac.nz
Marine and Freshwater Research 62(1) 30-37 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10137
Submitted: 15 June 2010 Accepted: 6 October 2010 Published: 18 January 2011
Abstract
Biotic indices based on community composition and calculated from sensitivity scores assigned to individual taxa are commonly used as indicators for ecological integrity of fluvial ecosystems. Macroinvertebrate indices can assess water quality but invertebrate community composition also responds to other environmental factors including stream bed disturbance. This study presents a biotic community index that assesses stream bed stability in stony riffles. This Macroinvertebrate Index of Bed Stability is calibrated on transport and entrainment of in situ-marked tracer stones in 46 streams in New Zealand’s North Island, representing a wide range of substrate stability. Scores were investigated for 67 common invertebrate taxa using Indicator Species Analysis based on taxa abundance at varying levels of substrate stability. The resulting site score, weighted by taxa abundance, improved a predictive model of bed stability, generated with model trees, when added to the pool of habitat variables and explained 69% of the variation in bed stability. Site scores were strongly correlated with measured bed stability at the development sites, but not at eight independent validation sites, suggesting the need for further testing on a larger dataset including streams in other regions of New Zealand, and overseas.
Additional keywords: benthic invertebrate community, biotic index, M5P model trees, stream ecology, substrate stability.
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