Benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality: The intersection of science and policy

Abstract

1 Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 USA *Corresponding author; e-mail: M.A.KenneyPHD@gmail.com 2 Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland 21037 USA e-mail: sutton-griera@si.edu 3 Department of Entomology, 4112 Plant Sciences Building, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742-4454 USA e-mail: rsmith9@umd.edu 4 Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 21252 USA e-mail: esens@tosgrwson.edu Received: 28 April 28, 2009; accepted: 17 July 2009 Summary is review addresses the intersection of water quality policy and benthic macroinvertebrates. Speci“ cally, we examine the role that stream macroinvertebrates have played or could play in informing water quality deci-sions given the current policy framework, using this framework as the organizational structure for the review. Macroinvertebrates, as biological indicators of stream water quality, can be utilized to identify impaired waters, determine aquatic life stressors, set pollutant load reductions, and indicate improvement. We present both current approaches as well as innovative approaches to identify macroinvertebrates and aquatic life stres-sors. We also discuss an example of the environmental management approach, speci“ cally, how macroinver-tebrates can be used to indicate the relative success of stream restoration. For policymakers, this review serves to illuminate opportunities and limitations of using benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water qual-ity. For entomologists, this review highlights policy-relevant research questions that would further aid the classi“ cation of impaired waters, the identi“ cation of stressors, or the management of stream ecosystems. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009ds ywore Kiocriteria; B biological criteria; Clean ater ct; biological A W monitoring; bioassessment; essor str identi“ ca-tion; estoration; eam strr benthic tebrates eroinvmacr