Biological Monitoring Working Party Index Research Articles

Indigenous people doing citizen science to assess water quality using the BMWP in rivers of an arid semi-arid biosphere reserve in Mexico

Arid and semi-arid areas are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve (TCBR), in southeastern Mexico, is an arid and semi-arid area with high biological diversity and human settlements of eight ethnic groups. Two rivers drain the reserve, Río Grande (RG) and Río Salado (RS), which are not subject to water quality monitoring by government agencies; however, measures of water quality of these rivers are needed to focus conservation actions on this resource. This work aimed to test the effectiveness of participatory water quality monitoring with the participation of three actors: Reserve management leaders, local communities, and academics, to monitoring water quality in the rivers of the TCBR. Ninety-two residents were trained to carry out water quality biomonitoring using the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index calibrated for the reserve. The BMWP uses macroinvertebrate families to display numerical and categorical water quality scores. Additionally, the Water Quality Index (WQI) was assessed and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of the riparian zones was estimated in each study site. The mean WQI scores were 69.24 for RS (no treatment necessary for most crops and necessary treatment for public water supply) and 75.16 for RG (minor purification for crops requiring high-quality water and necessary treatment for public water supply). The BMWP showed five water quality categories (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor), showing higher water quality scores in the upper portion of the basins and capable of discriminating study sites with lower scores close to human settlements. At one study site, data from participatory monitoring impelled actions taken to address a pollution source and influenced policy focus, reaching the maximum level of participatory-based monitoring. This led to avoid the discharge of wastewater into the river to conserve and protect the water resource. WQI is closely related to BMWP; however, the latter was far more sensitive to detecting areas affected by domestic water discharges. The NDVI presented low values for the TCBR, being lower in RS (the driest area). Although the NDVI showed a weak relationship with BMWP values, areas with higher NDVI values generally achieved higher BMWP values. The results of this study highlight the high sensitivity of the BMWP to detect several water quality conditions in the rivers running through the TCBR when compared to WQI. In addition, the usefulness of biomonitoring using the BMWP index was evident, as well as the importance of the participation of local inhabitants contributing to the knowledge of water quality in biosphere reserves and carrying out timely measures that allow the rivers in these reserves to be maintained in good condition.

Impact of hydrotechnical construction on aquatic ecosystems of the Kiliia branch of the Danube Delta

Resumption of shipping in the Bystryi branch in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, one of the largest aquatic-wetland areas of Europe and the world, has made it necessary to control the anthropogenic impact on the neighboring water areas of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. The objective of the study was comparing the compositions and structure of phytoplankton, microphytobenthos, macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and ichthyofauna of the mouth area of the Bystryi branch with such communities of the mouths of the branches Vostochnyi, Tsyhanka and Starostambulskyi, which are situated in the protected zone and characterized by limited anthropogenic activity. We also determined the correspondence of the descriptors of biotic groups to the categories of the ecological status according to the Water Framework Directive of the EU. The studies were performed in the autumn and summer periods in 2020–2021. We recorded 367 species of animals and plants, the richest biodiversity was seen for the biota of the Bystryi branch – 250 species, and 180–231 species of hydrobionts were found in the undisturbed mouths. We determined 25.3% of shared species for the water areas, and therefore high values of similarity of the species compositions according to Bray-Curtis (47.5% to 81.5%). We determined no significant differences between the groups of the mouths of the examined branches according to most indicators of taxonomic and ecological structure. As the descriptors of ecological status, we chose assemblage indices of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos, which are based on ratios of biomass of functional groups of algae, and also the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers, saprobic index of Zelinka & Marvan and Biological Monitoring Working Party Index of Benthic Invertebrates and Representation of Species of Ichthyfauna according to vulnerability to actions of environmental factors. We determined that the range of descriptors of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos corresponded to the “high” ecological status category, such of macrophytes and benthic invertebrates to “good”, and such of ichthyofauna varied “high” to “good”. In general, all the mouth areas were characterized by “good” ecological status. Similarities of the species composition and the structure of biotic communities of the mouths of the studied branches of the delta indicate the absence of negative impact of the deepwater shipping on adjacent ecosystems, which may be related to the peculiarities of reactions of groups in the water areas with natural stress, as well as local impact of the hydrotechnical construction.

Çoruh Nehir Havzası (Türkiye) su kalitesi’nin bazı biyotik indeksler kullanılarak belirlenmesi

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the water quality of the Çoruh Basin using BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) index, ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) index, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, EPT (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera Trichoptera taxa), EP (Ephemeroptera Plecoptera taxa) index scores and benthic macroinvertebrates. The benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 54 stations at the Çoruh basin between 2014-2016 years. Standard hand net (D-frame net) and Ekman-Birge grab were used as sampling tools. As a result of the diagnoses, a total of 7246 individuals belonging to Insecta, Crustacea, Mollusca, Oligochaeta and Plathyhelminthes were obtained. It was determined that the most dominant group was Insecta and the rarest group was Plathyhelminthes. It was observed that the BMWP score ranged between 5 and 94, and the lowest and highest number of families detected in the stations were 1 and 18, respectively. It was determined that the Shannon Wiener diversity index value was between 0.54-2.20, therefore the basin streams generally showed moderate pollution. The results of BMWP index show that the basin streams had mostly show 3rd and 4th class water quality and also biodiversity decreases with the deterioration of the riverbed or exposure to pollution.

Monitoring of Neotropical Streams Using Macroinvertebrate Communities: Evidence from Honduras

Assessing the water quality by using biological indicators is a reliable and economically feasible way to promote environmental conservation in developing tropical countries. Here, we report one of the few examples of river biomonitoring in Honduras. In June 2005, benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from six sites in the Río Cangrejal basin. An adapted version of the Biological Monitoring Working Party index (BMWP) was used to assess the water quality because it is simple, consolidated, relatively easy to use, and needs a family-level identification. Moreover, two other community metrics were calculated, namely the total taxon richness and local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD). Differences in the biomonitoring and diversity metrics among sites and their correlations were statistically tested. Thirty-nine macroinvertebrate taxa were collected and, despite significant differences in the BMWP score, all sampling sites were classified in the high environmental quality class. A very strong and positive correlation between the BMPW and taxon richness was found, while LCBD did not vary significantly and did not correlate with the other metrics. Our results suggest that taxon richness could be used as a surrogate indicator to assess the water quality when consolidate biomonitoring methods are not available.

Assessing the ecological status using physico-chemical, bacteriological parameters and biotic indices of the Oued Martil River basin in northwestern Morocco

An assessment of the water quality of the Oued Martil River basin (in northern Morocco) which is under natural and anthropogenic pressures was carried out over an annual cycle (spring, summer, autumn 2017 and winter 2018) at 20 sampling stations within the watershed. This assessment was conducted using biotic indices including the IBMWP (Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party index), the QBR (Index of Riparian Quality) and the IHF (Fluvial Habitat Index). Physicochemical and bacteriological quality was also assessed based on twelve parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, suspended matter, sulphate, nitrite, nitrate, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci) of the surface waters of Oued Martil River basin. The scores of the biotic indices as well as the measurements of the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters classified the waters of the upstream reaches of the Oued Martil River as good quality while those of the downstream reaches were classified as poor quality.

Comparison of temperate and tropical versions of Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index for assessing water quality of River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda

Despite their socio-economic and ecological importance, rivers are among the most threatened ecosystems. As a result, reliable and affordable monitoring system is fundamental for their effective management and conservation. The utility of Biological Monitoring Working Party, BMWP (England, E) index developed for the temperate region and BMWP-CR modified for Costa Rica, the tropics, were compared for assessing water quality of River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda. Benthic macroinvertebrates were used in the biomonitoring study because of their wide spectrum of sensitivity to changes in water physico-chemical characteristics. The riverine water quality at upstream site (rural area), four sites in mid-stream (urban area) and one site downstream (rural area), were evaluated using the BMWP indices from February to October, 2018. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) and selected physico-chemical variables were used to validate performance of the BMWP indices. Although BMWP-CR included more local macroinvertebrate taxa for pollution sensitivity scores than BMWP (E), the performance of both indices was similar. The BMWP (E) and BMWP-CR classified river water quality as bad to moderate, whereas the associated Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT), from England, ASPT (E) and ASPT-CR from Costa Rica indicated moderate to very good category, across seasons. The H′ and physico-chemical variables classified river water quality as bad to moderate. The BMWPs and associated ASPTs allotted sites at urban effluent sources as moderate to very good, while those in rural settings as bad to good, contrary to allocations by H′ and physico-chemical variables. The two BMPs failed to reliably separate sites based on pollution gradient, attributable to biogeographical differences in environmental conditions and pollution tolerances among macroinvertebrates. There is need to adapt a biotic index such as BMWP-CR or develop an indigenous one for Uganda, through an intensive study on local macroinvertebrate assemblages.

Ribeira da Lage, a Stream to Protect

The students started by identifying the most vulnerable ecosystems in the vicinity of the school. The stream Ribeira da Lage was identified and this ecosystem was characterized and the possible sources of pollution were surveyed. Macroinvertebrates were analyzed for subsequent determination of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) index to assess water quality. After the research work, several contacts began with local entities and institutions (CMO, ITQB; Parish Council) to raise awareness and create measures to protect the assessed and monitored ecosystem.

Ribeira da Lage, a Stream to Protect

The students started by identifying the most vulnerable ecosystems in the vicinity of the school. The stream Ribeira da Lage was identified and this ecosystem was characterized and the possible sources of pollution were surveyed. Macroinvertebrates were analyzed for subsequent determination of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) index to assess water quality. After the research work, several contacts began with local entities and institutions (CMO, ITQB; Parish Council) to raise awareness and create measures to protect the assessed and monitored ecosystem.

ОЦІНКА ЯКОСТІ ВОД р. ВОРСКЛА ЗА ОРГАНІЗМАМИ МАКРОЗООБЕНТОСУ У МЕЖАХ ГЕТЬМАНСЬКОГО НПП

У статті розглянуто результати польового дослідження структурних характеристик макрозообентосу р. Ворскла у межах Гетьманського національного природного парку на десяти станціях спостереження, проведеного вперше в червні 2020 р. На цій природоохоронній території виявлено представників 36 нижчих ідентифікованих таксонів донних макробезхребетних. У складі дослідженої біоти за видовим багатством та чисельністю переважали клас Gastropoda (7 видів) та ряд Odonata (6 видів). Представники двох провідних таксономічних груп складають 36% від загальної кількості видів та 56% від загальної чисельності на усіх станціях спостереження. Варто відмітити присутність на усіх досліджених ділянках р. Ворскла виду Anax parthenope – звичного на півдні України виду бабок, який поступово з’являється у північних регіонах. На основі показників видового багатства та видового різноманіття проведено біологічну індикацію якості поверхневих вод. Розраховано такі широковживані біотичні індекси: Trent Biotic Index, Belgian Biotic Index, Biological Monitoring Working Party Index. Для оцінки рівня органічного забруднення розраховано індекс сапробності Зелінки — Марвана. Видове різноманіття донних безхребетних оцінювали за індексом Шеннона, а схожість видового складу оцінювали за індексом Жаккара з проведенням подальшого кластерного аналізу. На більшості станцій спостереження біотичні показники вказують на високу якість вод р. Ворскла – класи якості вод характеризуються переважно як «добрий» та «відмінний». Найгіршими результатами за усіма показниками характеризується станція 8, розташована поблизу населеного пункту Лутище. Найгірші значення за розрахунками індексів Шеннона та Жаккара також зареєстровано на цій станції. Також варто відмітити зниження видового багатства між станціями 9 та 10, розділеними греблею через р. Ворскла. Припускаємо, що зниження видового багатства вищезазначених ділянок ріки спричинене антропогенним впливом. Розраховані значення індексу сапробності Зелінки — Марвана вказують на низький рівень забруднення вод р. Ворскла органічними речовинами. На усіх станціях спостереження встановлено переваження оліготрофних (за чисельністю) α-олігосапробних та β'-мезосапробних вод.

Assessing ecological impairments in Neotropical rivers of Mexico: calibration and validation of the Biomonitoring Working Party Index

Freshwater ecosystems are one of the most endangered and threatened ecosystems worldwide, particularly in developing countries, where population growth, industrialization, urbanization, and changes in land use are increasing. In Mexico, water ecosystems are severely impacted and an easy-to-use tool is needed for monitoring freshwater ecosystems. This study presents the development of a calibration and validation procedure for the Biological Monitoring Working Party Index using physical–chemical and biological data from Neotropical rivers in Mexico (Apatlaco and Chalma-Tembembe). Water quality and macroinvertebrates were monitored in four campaigns including the dry and rainy seasons (2012–2013). Calibration of the index was performed in the following steps: determination of a physicochemical quality index, identification of the abundance class for each family of macroinvertebrates, incorporation of abundances in the corresponding physicochemical quality index interval, and determination of bioindication values for each macroinvertebrate family. With the calibrated values, the index was assessed for each study site and period. The calibrated index was validated by a statistical test. Ranges for water quality categories were defined by three statistical procedures. The range of the Biological Monitoring Working Party Index was tested with study sites from adjacent sub-basins. The Chalma-Tembembe River in agricultural areas comprised the categories “Bad polluted” to “regular and moderately polluted,” whereas the largest portion of the Apatlaco River in urban zones comprised “Bad, very polluted” to “Bad, extremely polluted.” Thus, the calibrated index is a suitable biomonitoring tool, allowing the detection of zones that need urgent management and a recovery plan.

Lentic water quality characterization using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators: An adapted BMWP index

Water quality in lowland lentic system was evaluated through the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators, and their relationship with basic physicochemical factors was considered; thus, two biotopes were established for identifying both groups of macroinvertebrates, one being the population associated with macrophytes (AM) and the other being benthic (B). As a result, 46 families of macroinvertebrates were collected, with Hydrobiidae, Chironomidae, Thiaridae and Polymitarcyidae being the most abundant in the system. In addition, families with high tolerance to extreme conditions, such as Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae and Syrphidae, were found, as well as some families with low tolerance to these conditions, such as Caenidae and Leptoceridae. The first biotope presented 7.189 individuals (50.42%) and the second 7.056 (49.5%), for a total of 14.259 individuals. Biotope AM presented 100% of the richness, while biotope B was significantly less rich, with 15 families, which represent 32,06%. In order to evaluate the families found in the lowland lentic system, their distribution in the ranges of variation of the physicochemical factors and tolerance levels was taken into account. As a consequence, a new score table was established, where this system obtained a total score of 207 with an average of 166 per sampling station, suggesting signs of contamination. Finally, these results allow an adaptation of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) index to be proposed, including the lowland lentic systems.

Structural and functional measures of leaf-associated invertebrates and fungi as predictors of stream eutrophication

Eutrophication is a major threat to freshwater ecosystems worldwide that affects aquatic biota and compromises ecosystem functioning. In this study, we assessed the potential use of leaf decomposition and associated decomposer communities to predict stream eutrophication. Because leaf quality is expected to affect leaf decomposition, we used five leaf species, differing in their initial nitrogen concentration. Leaves of alder, chestnut, plane, oak and eucalyptus were placed in coarse-mesh bags and immersed in six streams along an eutrophication gradient to assess leaf decomposition and the structure of associated decomposer communities. A hump-shaped relationship was established between leaf decomposition and the eutrophication gradient for all leaf species, except for eucalyptus. Invertebrate biomass and density as well as fungal biomass and sporulation were lowest at the extremes of the gradient. Leaf-associated invertebrate and fungal assemblages were mainly structured by stream eutrophication. The percentage of shredders on leaves decreased, whereas the percentage of oligochaeta increased along the eutrophication gradient. The Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party Index (IBMWP) applied to benthic invertebrates increased from oligotrophic to moderately eutrophic streams and then dropped sharply at highly and hypertrophic streams. Overall, leaf decomposition was a valuable tool to assess changes in stream water quality, and it allowed the discrimination of sites classified by the IBMWP within class I and class IV. Moreover, decomposition of most leaf species responded in a similar way to eutrophication when decomposition was normalized by the quality of leaves.

Comparing two biological indexes using benthic macroinvertebrates: positive and negative aspects of water quality assessment

Abstract: Aim The aim of the present study, was to apply two biological indexes based on benthic macroinvertebrates (BMWP and ICB RES-P) using as model the Itupararanga Reservoir to know what the advantages and disadvantages of the application of each index in that environment. Methods The methodology consisted on three stages: 1) macroinvertebrates sampling and determination of limnological variables in situ, and sorting of the organisms in laboratory, 2) taxonomic identification of organisms and 3) determination of the saprobic degree for the collection sites and effectiveness of the application of the BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party score system) index and the Benthic Community Index created by CETESB (Environmental Sanitary Company of State of São Paulo) for deep regions (ICB RES-P index). Results The study was performed over two periods (spring/summer and autumn/winter), and 8,841 organisms were sampled and divided in 17 families. The Chaoboridae (genus Chaoborus), Chironomidae (subfamilies Chironominae and Tanypodinae) and Tubificidae families had the most abundant taxa. The saprobic degree of the Itupararanga reservoir region resulted in the general classification of the reservoir as β-α mesasaprobic (βms- αms), considered critical due to its organic charge content. The BMWP index was adapted to the sample points and the scores subsequently obtained ranked the reservoir as category V, representing very poor water quality. The ICB RES-P index classified the sample points in the spring/summer period as having regular water quality, and the autumn/winter period as having good water quality. Conclusions From previous findings, it can be concluded that further study and refinement of the components of both indexes are required in order to effectively assess the quality of water in reservoirs.

Freshwater macroinvertebrates registered during the rainy season in three tropical rivers of the foothill on the eastern plains of Colombia

This study was carried out in three tropical rivers, namely Humadea (488m. above sea level), Marayal (503m. asl) and Camoa (450m. asl), located in the foothill on the Eastern Plains of Colombia, with average temperature as high as 24ºC, and 4000mm average annual precipitation. The samplings were carried in rainy seasons during 2003 to 2007 to date. During the field survey stage, hydro physicochemical indices were obtained and analyzed, and the Acuatic Macroinvertebrates Epicontinental (AME) were captured. Based on laboratory survey and sampling work Shannon- Weaver (H’), Sorensen (s) and BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party Score System)(2007) adapted to Colombia. During the study period, not recorded naturally or by human intervention strong or severe disturbance of ecological status of these three ecosystems that alter their structure and dynamics, aspects to date (July 2014) of preparation of this article remain unchanged. 56 Genera, 40 families, 13 Orders, four Classes and three Phyla were recorded. The highest value for diversity according to the Shannon Weaver index was found in the river Marayal (2.72), while the lowest diversity was found in the Humadea river (2.53). On the BMWP index the three systems present water quality levels ranging between good and very good. The ecosystems registering the highest similarity were Marayal and Camoa (81%) while Humadea and Camoa had the lowest (56%).

The use of invertebrate body burdens to predict ecological effects of metal mixtures in mining-impacted waters

The present study investigated whether invertebrate body burdens can be used to predict metal-induced effects on aquatic invertebrate communities. Total dissolved metal levels and four invertebrate taxa (Leuctra sp., Simuliidae, Rhithrogena sp. and Perlodidae) were sampled in 36 headwater streams located in the north-west part of England. Using the River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System (RIVPACS) taxonomic completeness of invertebrate communities was assessed. Quantile regression was used to relate invertebrate body burdens to a maximum (90th quantile) ecological response, both for all metals separately and in mixtures. Significant relations between Cu, Zn and Pb burdens in Leuctra sp. (Zn, Pb), Simuliidae (Zn, Pb), Rhithrogena sp. (Cu, Zn, Cu+Zn) and Perlodidae (Zn) and both taxonomic completeness (O/E taxa) and Biological Monitoring Working Party index scores (O/E BMWP) were observed. Correspondingly the obtained Cu–Zn mixture model an acceptable impact of 5% change in taxonomic completeness is expected at Rhithrogena sp. body burdens of 1.9μmolg−1 Cu (121μgg−1 Cu) in case of low Zn bioavailability (Rhithrogena sp. Zn body burden of 2.9μmolg−1 or 190μgg−1), which will drop to 0.30μmolg−1 Cu (19.1μgg−1 Cu) in case of higher Zn bioavailability (Zn body burden of 72.6μmolg−1 or 4747μgg−1). For Zn, 5% change in taxonomic completeness is expected at Rhithrogena sp. body burdens of 76.4μmolg−1 Zn (4995μgg−1 Zn) in case of low Cu bioavailability (Cu body burden of 0.19μmolg−1 or 12.1μgg−1), which will drop to 6.6μmolg−1 Zn (432μgg−1 Zn) at higher Cu bioavailability (Cu body burden of 1.74μmolg−1 or 111μgg−1). Overall, the present study concludes that invertebrate body burdens can be used to (1) predict metal-induced ecological effects and (2) to derive critical burdens for the protection of aquatic invertebrate communities.

Evaluation of the ecological status of an impaired watershed by using a multi-index approach

The objective of this study was to use an integrative approach to assess the ecological status of a small river impacted by multiple sources of disturbance. The River Febros (NW Portugal) is a small and highly impacted non-regulated river; approximately 44% of the watershed area is dedicated to agriculture, but there is also some urbanization. Environmental status was evaluated using a new multi-index approach, combining quality indices for water (Water Quality Index (WQI)), benthic macroinvertebrates (Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party Index (IBMWP)), and human modification (Riparian Forest Quality Index (QBR)); Ecological Status River Mediterranean Index (ECOSTRIMED); River Habitat Survey (RHS)). Surveys were carried out between October 2002 and 2003, along four stretches of the main course of the river for physicochemical characteristics, as well as water microbiology and macroinvertebrates. Water quality was poor at all sites (WQI averaged 30.4%) and decreased downstream. The RHS (assessment of instream habitats and the river corridor) and the QBR quantification displayed the same trend. Macroinvertebrates diversity was permanently low with only the most tolerant insects taxa present; oligochaetes dominated. The ecological status of River Febros was well represented using the experimental assessment system, where a downstream decrease in condition was noticeable (in spite of a lower water quality upstream). Our results emphasize the importance of assessing several components of disturbed ecosystems in order to ascertain overall quality and the importance of promoting improvement of the riparian gallery as a buffer against multiple agents of disturbance.

Use of the BMWP and ASPT indexes for monitoring environmental quality in a neotropical stream

The aim of the present study was to examine the applicability of versions of the Biological Monitoring Working Party index, the original from Great Britain (Armitage et al., 1983), and adaptations from Spain (Alba-Tercedor and Sanchez-Ortega, 1988) and Brazil (Junqueira and Campos, 1998; Junqueira et al., 2000; Monteiro et al., 2008), and the associated Average Score Per Taxon, in evaluating the environmental quality of a stream in the center-west of Brazil. In the wet and dry seasons, the stream was sampled at three sites, reflecting a gradient of increasing levels of anthropogenic impact from sites 1 to 3, and the different index values calculated. The adaptations by Junqueira et al. (2000) and Monteiro et al. (2008) presented the highest values. The values of the versions of Junqueira and Campos (1998) and Junqueira et al. (2000) generally decreased from sites 1 to 3 on both dates. Decreases in environmental quality on the wet season sampling date were indicated by the BMWP scores more so than by the ASPT scores. The adaptations by Junqueira and Campos (1998) and especially Junqueira et al. (2000) seem to have detected, with the greatest degree of sensitivity, the putative decrease in environmental quality from sites 1 to 3. The use of the ASPT seemed to diminish the possible impact of natural seasonal differences in organism abundances on the indicated degree of pollution.