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Use of artificial substrates for standardized sampling of macroinvertebrates in the assessment of water quality by the Belgian Biotic Index

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Abstract

The paper reviews 3 years of experience in Belgium and Portugal with artificial substrates for collecting macroinvertebrates used in water quality assessment by means of the Belgian Biotic Index (B.B.I.).

Artificial substrates provide a valid alternative method for sampling the macroinvertebrate fauna and the possibility of standardizing the sampling effort, whereas sampling with a handnet may be more subjective.

Research has been focussed on the effect of sampler design and composition as well as conditions of exposure on the number of systematic units and the biotic index obtained.

With artificial substrates correct assessments could be performed in different types of watercourses, including lowland brooks and canals as well as fast running upland rivers located in different climates.

Guidelines for the development of a simple standard procedure with artificial substrates are proposed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Biological Research in Aquatic Pollution, State University of Ghent, J. Plateaustraat 22, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Niels De Pauw & Dirk Roels

  2. Institute of Zoology Dr. Augusto Nobre, University of Porto, Praça Gomes Teixeira, P-4000, Porto, Portugal

    A. Paulo Fontoura

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  1. Niels De Pauw
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  2. Dirk Roels
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  3. A. Paulo Fontoura
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De Pauw, N., Roels, D. & Fontoura, A.P. Use of artificial substrates for standardized sampling of macroinvertebrates in the assessment of water quality by the Belgian Biotic Index. Hydrobiologia 133, 237–258 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005595

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