Abstract
We compared the sensitivity of commonly usedbioassessment metrics to detect organic impairment ofstreams using data sets that varied only in the inclusion orexclusion of Chironomidae identified to genus. We evaluatedsituations in two contrasting ecoregions of Missouri, U.S.A.,the Ozark ecoregion and the Prairie ecoregion whereChironomidae comprise an average of 32 and 42%,respectively, of the total number of individuals. The without-Chironomidae data showed either identical or greatersensitivity than with Chironomidae data in every case whenusing the metrics total taxa, biotic index, Shannon'sdiversity index, and % dominant taxon. We conclude thatbioassessment programs employing commonly-used metrics thatusually incorporate Chironomidae may become more efficientby eliminating Chironomidae from the protocols and usingthose resources for analyzing additional sites.
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Rabeni, C.F., Wang, N. Bioassessment of Streams using Macroinvertebrates: Are the Chironomidae Necessary?. Environ Monit Assess 71, 177–185 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017523115381
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1017523115381