Biomonitors of stream quality on agricultural areas: fish versus invertebrates
Environmental Management
By: Hilary E. Berkman, Charles F. Rabeni, and Terence P. Boyle
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Abstract
Although the utility of using either fish or benthic invertebrates as biomonitors of stream quality has been clearly shown, there is little comparative information on the usefulness of the groups in any particular situation. We compared fish to invertebrate assemblages in their ability to reflect habitat quality of sediment-impacted streams in agricultural regions of northeast Missouri, USA. Habitat quality was measured by a combination of substrate composition, riparian type, buffer strip width, and land use. Invertebrates were more sensitive to habitat differences when structural measurements, species diversity and ordination, were used. Incorporating ecological measurements, by using the Index of Biological Integrity, increased the information obtained from the fish assemblage. The differential response of the two groups was attributed to the more direct impact of sediments on invertebrate life requisites; the impact of sedimentation on fish is considered more indirect and complex, affecting feeding and reproductive mechanisms.
Suggested Citation
Berkman, H.E., Rabeni, C.F., and Boyle, T., 1986, Biomonitors of stream quality on agricultural areas: fish versus invertebrates: Environmental Management, v. 10, no. 3, p. 413-419, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01867267.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Biomonitors of stream quality on agricultural areas: fish versus invertebrates |
| Series title | Environmental Management |
| DOI | 10.1007/BF01867267 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1986 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer-Verlag |
| Publisher location | New York, NY |
| Description | 7 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Environmental Management |
| First page | 413 |
| Last page | 419 |