Surber and kick sampling: a comparison for the assessment of macroinvertebrate community structure in streams of south-western Australia

Abstract

Macroinvertebrate community structure was compared in benthic samples taken by Surber and kick methods from a lotic system in south-western Australia. Eleven sites were sampled concurrently in winter, spring and summer 1987. Surber samples contained fewer individuals and more taxa, particularly those with a low frequency of occurrence. This was attributed to the lower surface area, but greater intensity of Surber sampling. It is proposed that the Surber method is more suited to taking cryptic and closely adherent taxa in sites with a highly heterogeneous substratum. Percentage similarity between paired Surber and kick samples was determined by Sorensen's and Czekanowski's coefficients, with mean values of 66% and 60% for June, 61% and 49% for September and 66% and 49% for December respectively. Ordination demonstrated a division of upland from lowland sites on axis 1, with a separation of paired-samples on axis 2. This pattern held across qualitative and quantitative datasets, with and without a downweighting on rare taxa. At each level of classification fewer paired-samples separated in qualitative than quantitative datasets. Kick sampling provided a substantial saving in costs over Surber sampling, particularly when qualitative data were utilised, making the method suitable for routine, biological monitoring. However, the initial use of replicated Surber sampling, particularly in areas that have not been previously sampled is recommended for environmental impact studies to detect rare taxa, that may be endangered.