Effect of fixed-fraction subsampling on macroinvertebrate bioassessment of rivers

Petkovska, Vesna; Urbanič, Gorazd

doi:10.1007/s10661-009-1161-9

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(59 reference statements)

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“…Cao et al (2002) showed that 500 individuals maximized the discriminatory power of similarity indices, while Ligeiro et al (2013a) reported that samples with <300 individuals processed had less precision than those with 300 individuals. However, the accuracy and precision of the processing may also depend on the stream type, the metric being used (e.g., species richness versus a functional metric or a multimetric index; Petkovska and Urbanič 2010;Marzin et al 2012), and the level of taxonomic identification (Whittier and Van Sickle 2010).…”

Section: Subsampling and Sorting Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs

Buss

Carlisle

Chon

et al. 2014

Environ Monit Assess

255

135

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Water quality agencies and scientists are increasingly adopting standardized sampling methodologies because of the challenges associated with interpreting data derived from dissimilar protocols. Here, we compare 13 protocols for monitoring streams from different regions and countries around the globe. Despite the spatially diverse range of countries assessed, many aspects of bioassessment structure and protocols were similar, thereby providing evidence of key characteristics that might be incorporated in a global sampling methodology. Similarities were found regarding sampler type, mesh size, sampling period, subsampling methods, and taxonomic resolution. Consistent field and laboratory methods are essential for merging data sets collected by multiple institutions to enable large-scale comparisons. We discuss the similarities and differences among protocols and present current trends and future recommendations for monitoring programs, especially for regions where large-scale protocols do not yet exist. We summarize the current state in one of these regions, Latin America, and comment on the possible development path for these techniques in this region. We conclude that several aspects of stream biomonitoring need additional performance evaluation (accuracy, precision, discriminatory power, relative costs), particularly when comparing targeted habitat (only the commonest habitat type) versus site-wide sampling (multiple habitat types), appropriate levels of sampling and processing effort, and standardized indicators to resolve dissimilarities among biomonitoring methods. Global issues such as climate change are creating an environment where there is an increasing need to have universally consistent data collection, processing and storage to enable large-scale trend analysis. Biomonitoring programs following standardized methods could aid international data sharing and interpretation.

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Section: Subsampling and Sorting Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs

Buss

Carlisle

Chon

et al. 2014

Environ Monit Assess

255

135

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“…Microhabitat types were defined as a combination of substrate and flow type with coverage of at least 5%. Samples then underwent laboratory sub-sampling procedures, and benthic organisms from a quarter of the whole field sample were identified and enumerated (Petkovska & Urbanič, 2009). Benthic invertebrates were determined to the taxonomic level used for the assessment of ecological river status in Slovenia (OGRS, 2009), i.e.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of land use, nutrients, and other stressors in shaping benthic invertebrate assemblages in Slovenian rivers

et al. 2011

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Studying human impacts on riverine systems is challenging due to the natural diversity and multiple stressors that are co-occurring. The term stressor(s) refers to variable(s) of anthropogenic landscape changes and local abiotic stream conditions that reflect human activities. We compared the effects of different stressors and natural (typology) factors on benthic invertebrate assemblages in Slovenian rivers. A total of 270 river sites located in four European ecoregions were sampled, covering the gradient of human perturbation ranging from (near)natural to highly degraded/polluted. Stressors commonly affecting running waters were grouped into managementrelevant stressor-groups: land use (percentage of urban, intensive and non-intensive agricultural, and natural land use in the catchment and sub-catchment), eutrophication (in-stream concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds) and other stressors (e.g., organic pollution, hydromorphological alteration). We compared the effects of the stressor-groups on invertebrate assemblages using partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis and tested the explanatory power of each stressor-group using typology variables as covariates. Stressors and typology variables showed high independent effects (40-65%) on invertebrate assemblages despite considerable joint effects from land use and typology. Stressors' pure effects accounted for 70%, and interactions among the stressor-groups made up the remaining 30% of the total explained variability. Altogether, this study gives a good perspective on the ability to separate the effects of anthropogenic stressors from natural causes, as well as to separate effects among groups of stressors. Against this background, we advocate stressor-specific analyses to provide or improve guidelines for selecting appropriate measures to enhance the river status.

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“…The continued sensitivity of this index when a six-quadrat assemblage was used for the comparative analysis among the reference, moderately impaired, and severely impaired sites indicates that this subsample size is useful in practical applications. Petkovska and Urbanic (2009) studied the effect of fixed-fraction subsampling on the variability of metrics, and found that, for most types of metrics and streams, the main decrease in variability occurs up to a subsample size of 1/4 of the original. This subsample size could therefore become widely applied.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Any instability of the metrics can directly impact the practical result of the assessment and, consequently, the management and preservation of the ecosystem (Lenat and Barbour 1994;Petkovska and Urbanic 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsampling is widely used in these protocols and allows for the assessment of a portion of the field-collected sample that still represents the heterogeneity and diversity of the habitat sampled. Nevertheless, the subsampling technique has remained controversial and is still being debated in the countries that use it in their biomonitoring programs (Barbour and Gerritsen 1996;Coutermanch 1996;Somers et al 1998;Doberstein et al 2000;Lorenz et al 2004;Petkovska and Urbanic 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Determining subsampling effort for the development of a rapid bioassessment protocol using benthic macroinvertebrates in streams of Southeastern Brazil

Oliveira

Mugnai

Milhorance

et al. 2010

Environ Monit Assess

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The purpose of this study was to establish a subsampling procedure for benthic macroinvertebrates to aid in the development of a multimetric index to assess the biological condition of streams. Data from six streams that are considered minimally impaired were used. Subsampling was done using a device divided into 24 quadrats. The sediment from each quadrat was sorted, and all organisms were removed and identified. Richness metrics were the most affected by subsample size. Relative-abundance metrics were the most stable, proving that the sample was well distributed throughout the tray and abundance proportions were maintained. The results showed that the macroinvertebrate assemblage present in the six quadrats was similar to that present in the full sample. These analyses indicated that six quadrats, randomly designated, with a minimum of 200 collected specimens could be used in place of the full sample. In routine water management, managing time and costs are a major challenge; therefore, this type of simplification is absolutely necessary to ensure that a biomonitoring tool is useful for practical applications.

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Effect of fixed-fraction subsampling on macroinvertebrate bioassessment of rivers

Cited by 24 publications

References 33 publications

Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs

Stream biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates around the globe: a comparison of large-scale programs

The role of land use, nutrients, and other stressors in shaping benthic invertebrate assemblages in Slovenian rivers

Determining subsampling effort for the development of a rapid bioassessment protocol using benthic macroinvertebrates in streams of Southeastern Brazil

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