Abstract
While taxonomic metrics are common indicators for assessing impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) on macroinvertebrates, functional diversity metrics are scarcely used. We tested the hypothesis that functional diversity metrics could be used as indicators for assessing impact of AMD on macroinvertebrates. Differences in both taxonomic metrics and functional diversity metrics were examined among sites with varying levels of AMD impact. AMD led to loss of sensitive functional groups and resulted in low functional diversity in the impacted sites. Functional richness, functional Shannon's index and functional Brillouin's index were significantly correlated with all key AMD parameters. Compared to taxonomic metrics, functional diversity metrics had higher correlations with most key AMD parameters. Functional diversity metrics were more informative than taxonomic metrics for assessing impact of AMD on macroinvertebrates since they were more effective at indicating mild or moderate AMD pollution. Functional Shannon's index and functional Brillouin's index were the most precise metrics.
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