Carrie, Rachael, Dobson, M. and Barlow, J. (2017) Challenges Using Extrapolated Family-level Macroinvertebrate Metrics in Moderately Disturbed Tropical Streams: a Case-study From Belize. Hydrobiologia, 794 (1). pp. 257-271. ISSN 0018-8158 Online: 1573-5117
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Abstract
Family-level biotic metrics were originally designed to rapidly assess gross organic pollution effects, but came to be regarded as general measures of stream degradation. Improvements in water quality in developed countries have reignited debate about the limitations of family-level taxonomy to detect subtle change, and is resulting in a shift back towards generic and species-level analysis to assess smaller effects. Although the scale of pollution characterizing past condition of streams in developed countries persists in many developing regions, some areas are still considered to be only moderately disturbed. We sampled streams in Belize to investigate the ability of family-level macroinvertebrate metrics to detect change in stream catchments where less than 30% of forest had been cleared. Where disturbance did not co-vary with natural gradients of change, and in areas characterized by low intensity activities, none of the metrics tested detected significant change, despite evidence of environmental impacts. We highlight the need for further research to clarify the response of metrics to disturbance over a broader study area that allows replication for confounding sources of natural variation. We also recommend research to develop more detailed understanding of the taxonomy and ecology of Neotropical macroinvertebrates to improve the robustness of metric use.
Item Type: | Article |
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Additional Information: | The full-text of the online published article cannot be supplied for this item. Please check availability with your local library or Interlibrary Requests Service. |
Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: | bio-assessment, taxonomic resolution, tropical data gaps, macroinvertebrate, tropical streams, Belize |
Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
Divisions: | College of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences > School of Science and the Environment |
Related URLs: | |
Depositing User: | Rachael Carrie |
Date Deposited: | 06 Feb 2017 09:44 |
Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2020 17:16 |
URI: | https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5295 |
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