The Use of Macroinvertebrates in Water Management
March 1999, Ref. ME311
Aquatic macroinvertebrates include insects, snails and worms that live on the beds of rivers. They play a key role in the structure and function of river ecosystems, as they eat algae and leaf matter, and provide food for fish and birds. They can be good indicators of the life-supporting capacity of ecosystems in streams and rivers. This discussion paper examines the use of macroinvertebrates for monitoring water quality and stream ecosystem health in New Zealand and makes recommendations for their further and better use.
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Contents
- Executive summary
- Introduction
- Structure and function of stream ecosystems
- Current use of macroinvertebrates as environmental indicators in New Zealand
- Using macroinvertebrates as environmental indicators in New Zealand
- Using macroinvertebrates for monitoring
- The problem of lowland rivers and other soft-bottomed streams
- Predictive ecosystem monitoring for New Zealand: should we be considering a "RIVPACS-type" approach?
- Sampling and data analysis issues
- Implications of recommendations: an overview
- Summary of principal recommendations
Appendices
- From water quality to aquatic ecosystems: meeting the requirements of the Resource Management Act - R J Miller, R M Berry
- Macroinvertebrate monitoring: Lowland streams and other non-shingle river ecotypes - Russell Death, Hamish McWilliam, Maurice Rodway
- Biotic indices: Their role in water management in New Zealand - John D Stark
- Macroinvertebrate monitoring: Alternative methods - I K G Boothroyd
- Macroinvertebrate monitoring: Data collection and storage - I K G Boothroyd, E C Forch
- Macroinvertebrate monitoring: Statistical analysis - Russell Death
