Ecological quality of small mountainous Mediterranean streams (river type R-M4) and performance of the European intercalibration metrics

Abstract

Ten small streams of high altitude were assigned to the R-M4 intercalibration river type (small/ medium Mediterranean mountainous rivers) and examined to determine their benthic macroinvertebrate fauna, their physicochemical and hydromorphological parameters and their water quality, quarterly for two consecutive years. Physicochemical variables were consistent with the mountainous character of the streams and fluctuated within the European Community legislation limits for drinking water. Benthic macroinvertebrate fauna communities were diverse and sensitive to organic pollution, and samples were grouped by time more strongly than place. Site size and catchment area influenced the macroinvertebrate community more than the rest of the measured abiotic variables. The water quality was good or high, but at the smaller streams its interpretation was affected by summer drought. The water quality boundaries of the Hellenic Evaluation System were harmonised with the water quality boundaries of a European benchmark database, according to the methodology followed by the Mediterranean Intercalibration Group.

High Variability Is a Defining Component of Mediterranean-Climate Rivers and Their Biota

“…Taxonomic and trait composition also differs between seasons in both perennial and intermittent rivers. Seasonal changes in macroinvertebrate communities are commonly associated with a shift in numerical dominance of taxa from EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) in the wet season to OCH (Odonata, Coleoptera, and Heteroptera) in the dry season [19,72,73]. The degree of Water 2017, 9, 52 9 of 24 seasonal community change tends to be greater in intermittent than perennial rivers [20,74,75], with the exception of one study that included several Iberian streams [71].…”

“…For example, some authors found that macroinvertebrate communities differed more between seasons than among three consecutive years [73,84]. These small community changes, however, have been significantly related to comparing wet-with-wet and dry-with-dry years [21].…”

The validation of common European class boundaries for river benthic macroinvertebrates to facilitate the intercalibration process of the Water Framework Directive

“…This permitted a standard interpretation of results and a transparent and objective presentation of the outcome . An analogous procedure for comparing class boundaries was also applied by Artemiadou et al (2008), even though a different benchmark was used. In order to conclude, the key in the procedures outlined above lies in the acceptance of the benchmark and its ecological classification (i.e.…”

“…In order to run a pilot IC exercise at the European scale, a provisional benchmark was constituted from data collected within the EU projects AQEM and STAR and from national research and monitoring activities (Buffagni et al, 2006a. A similar procedure was adopted by Artemiadou et al (2008), who used data collected for the Spanish Guadalmed project as a benchmark when studying rivers in Northern Greece.…”

Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality in Running Waters: 10 Years of Research in Rivers with Different Degrees of Anthropogenic Impacts

“…The negative influence of human impacts, especially pollution, on macroinvertebrate fauna has been described in different studies (Blasco et al, 2000;Dahl et al, 2004;Elbaz-Poulichet et al, 1999;Nummelin et al, 2007;Smolders et al, 2003;Yoshimura, 2008;Artemiadou et al, 2008). In Spain, in recent years such studies have increased considerably and several papers studying these types of impacts in different regions of the country have been published.…”