Biomonitors of stream quality on agricultural areas: fish versus invertebrates

Environmental Management
By: , and 

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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.
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
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