Abstract
Changes in water and habitat quality of Kordan Stream were examined using community structure and biotic indices at 3 sites during 2008-2009. This investigation resulted in inventories of benthic insect communities being obtained from this stream. It also resulted in two metrics being calculated from benthic insect communities. Of the metrics used, one indicated EPT taxa richness and one involved a biotic index, HFBI, for organic pollution. Water temperature, water velocity, water depth, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, pH, specific conductivity; phosphate and nitrate concentrations were within ranges usually capable of supporting a diverse biota. Samples were dominated by insects and yielded 142 macroinvertebrate taxa. The scores calculated for HFBI was lowest (4.67) and rated good water quality (some organic pollution probable) at site 1 and increased to 5.45 rated fair (fairly substantial pollution likely) at site 3. EPT ratings were under a little perturbation at three sites, suggesting high taxa richness and habitat quality in Kordan Stream.
Highlights
Running waters are amongst the most threatened ecosystems in the world (Allan and Flecker, 1993)
Changes in water and habitat quality of Kordan Stream were examined using community structure and biotic indices at 3 sites during 2008-2009. This investigation resulted in inventories of benthic insect communities being obtained from this stream. It resulted in two metrics being calculated from benthic insect communities
The scores calculated for HFBI was lowest (4.67) and rated good water quality at site 1 and increased to 5.45 rated fair at site 3
Summary
Running waters are amongst the most threatened ecosystems in the world (Allan and Flecker, 1993). Anthropogenic activities have strong effects on aquatic ecosystems leading to widespread modification of the physical habitat and of biotic communities and ecological functioning (Principle, 2007). River or stream restoration requires an understanding of the structure and function of stream corridor ecosystems and the physical, chemical and biological processes that shape them (USDA, 2000; Hu, 2006). To assess the quality of running waters, chemical analyses alone are inadequate (Karr and Chu, 1999). Biological monitoring is valuable for determining natural and anthropogenic influences on river resources because biota integratively respond to stress from multiple spatial or time scales and several pathways including habitat and water chemistry (Karr, 1981; Ohio EPA, 1987; Rosenberg & Resh, 1993; Weigel and Robertson, 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
