Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of invasive benthic macroinvertebrates on assessment methods of the EU Water Frame Work Directive

  • Primary research paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The assessment of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive is based on different methods, many of which include the study of macroinvertebrate organisms. We examined whether and how invasive species affect the calculation of metrics used for fresh water assessment utilizing data from different substrate types in the streams of Central Germany. In these streams, the proportion of macroinvertebrate invasives increased from a very low fraction of the community up to 75% of species, or 96% of individuals, within 15 years. The values of the German Saprobic Index (GSI, reflecting the degree of organic load) did not differ significantly between different substrate types or within the examined stream reaches. However, saprobic valences of the species recorded did differ between substrates and between localities. This obvious contradiction is caused by an abundance of exotic species all having a medium GSI index between 2.2 and 2.3. Moreover, the minimum total number of organisms required for this method cannot be reached for a large majority of the sites dominated by invasives making it impossible to use the GSI. Regarding distribution of zonation types, the proportion of metarhithral species is low, and it is even lower on hard substrates than it is on soft substrates. This contradicts the general assumption that dwellers preferring metarhithral reaches (=lower-trout region) will show an affinity for habitats with higher oxygen concentrations and stronger flow velocities, both appearing more on hard than on soft substrates. This latter contradiction results from the classification of the most abundant invasive species Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Dikerogammarus villosus, and Chelicorophium curvispinum in the AQEM taxa reference list. The metrics ‘locomotion type’ and ‘feeding type’ were also affected by the presence of invasive species. Possible options for overcoming these assessment problems are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AQEM, 2004. Manual for AQEM European stream assessment program version 2.3.

  • Birk, S. & D. Hering, 2006. Direct comparison of assessment methods using benthic macroinvertebrates: a contribution to the EU Water Framework Directive intercalibration exercise. Hydrobiologia 566: 401–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhmer, J., C. Rawer-Jost & A. Zenker, 2004a. Multimetric assessment of data provided by water managers from Germany: assessment of several different types of stressors with macrozoobenthos communities. Hydrobiologia 516: 215–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Böhmer, J., C. Rawer-Jost, A. Zenker, C. Meier, C. K. Feld, R. Biss & D. Hering, 2004b. Assessing streams in Germany with benthic invertebrates: Development of a multimetric invertebrate based assessment system. Limnologica 34: 416–432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bramer, H., M. Hendl, J. Marcinek, B. Nitz, K. Ruchholz & S. Slobodda, 1991. Physische Geographie Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Sachsen, Thüringen. Hermann Haak, Gotha.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. T. & D. Hering, 2006. Errors and uncertainty in bioassessment methods—major results and conclusions from the STAR project and their application using STARBUGS. Hydrobiologia 566: 433–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. T., J. F. Wright & M. T. Furse, 2003. RIVPACS models for predicting the expected macroinvertebrate fauna and assessing the ecological quality of rivers. Ecological Modelling 160: 219–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diekmann, M., U. Dußling & R. Berg, 2005. Handbuch zum fischbasierten Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer. FFS Fischereiforschungsstelle Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen [available on internet in http://www.flussgebiete.nrw.de/Unterlagen/FIBS_Handreichungstext_2005.pdf].

  • DIN 38410, 2004. Biologisch-ökologische Gewässeruntersuchung (Gruppe M) - Teil 1: Allgemeine Hinweise, Planung und Durchführung von Fließgewässeruntersuchungen (M1) - Bestimmung des Saprobienindex (M1). Deutsche Einheitsverfahren zur Wasser-, Abwasser- und Schlammuntersuchung, Ausgabe 2004-10.

  • EC, 2000. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities, L 327/1, 22.12.2000.

  • Furse, M., D. Hering, O. Moog, P. Verdonschot, R. K. Johnson, K. Brabec, K. Gritzalis, A. Buffagni, P. Pinto, N. Friberg, J. Murray-Bligh, J. Kokes, R. Alber, P. Usseglio-Polatera, P. Haase, R. Sweeting, B. Bis, K. Szoszkiewicz, H. Soszka, G. Springe, F. Sporka & I. Krno, 2006. The STAR project: context, objectives and approaches. Hydrobiologia 566: 3–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabriels, W., P. L. M. Goethals & N. De Pauw, 2005. Implications of taxonomic modifications and alien species on biological water quality assessment as exemplified by the Belgian Biotic Index method. Hydrobiologia 542: 137–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gayraud, S., B. Statzner, P. Bady, A. Haybachp, F. Schöll, P. Usseglio-Polatera & M. Bacchi, 2003. Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an initial assessment of alternative metrics. Freshwater Biology 48: 2045–2064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grössler, H., 1904. Führer durch das Unstruttal von Artern bis Naumburg für Vergangenheit und Gegenwart. Verlag Finke, Freyburg/Unstrut.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. P., 2006. Quantifying biological integrity by taxonomic completeness: its utility in regional and global assessments. Ecological Applications 16: 1277–1294.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. P., R. H. Norris, J. N. Hogue & J. W. Feminella, 2000. Development and evaluation of predictive models for measuring the biological integrity of streams. Ecological Applications 10: 1456–1477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hering, D., A. Buffagni, O. Moog, L. Sandin, M. Sommerhäuser, I. Stubauer, C. Feld, R. Johnson, P. Pinto, N. Skoulikidis, P. Verdonschot & S. Zahrádková, 2003. The development of a system to assess the ecological quality of streams based on macroinvertebrates - Design of the sampling programme within the AQEM Project. International Review of Hydrobiology 88: 345–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hering, D., C. Meier, C. Rawer-Jost, C. K. Feld, R. Biss, A. Zenker, A. Sundermann, S. Lohse & J. Böhmer, 2004a. Assessing streams in Germany with benthic invertebrates: selection of candidate metrics. Limnologica 34: 398–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hering, D., O. Moog, L. Sandin & P. F. M. Verdonschot, 2004b. Overview and application of the AQEM assessment system. Hydrobiologia 516: 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hering, D., C. K. Feld, O. Moog & T. Ofenböck, 2006. Cook book for the development of a Multimetric Index for biological condition of aquatic ecosystems: experiences from the European AQEM and STAR projects and related initiatives. Hydrobiologia 566: 311–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Legendre, P. & L. Legendre, 1998. Numerical ecology. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, A., D. Hering, C. K. Feld & P. Rolauffs, 2004a. A new method for assessing the impact of hydromorphological degradation on the macroinvertebrate fauna in five German stream types. Hydrobiologia 516: 107–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, A., L. Kirchener & D. Hering, 2004b. Electronic subsampling of macrobenthic samples: how many individuals are needed for a valid assessment result? Hydrobiologia 516: 299–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meier, C., P. Haase, P. Rolauffs, K. Schindehütte, F. Schöll, A. Sundermann & D. Hering, 2006. Methodisches Handbuch Fließgewässerbewertung. Handbuch zur Untersuchung und Bewertung von Fließgewässern auf der Basis des Makrozoobenthos vor dem Hintergrund der E.G-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie. http://www.fliessgewaesserbewertung.de.

  • Meier, C., D. Hering, P. Haase, A. Sundermann & J. Böhmer, 2005. Die Bewertung von Fließgewässern mit dem Makrozoobenthos. In Feld, C. K., S. Rödiger, M. Sommerhäuser & G. Friedrich (eds), Typologie, Bewertung, Management von Oberflächengewässern. Stand der Forschung zur Umsetzung der E.G-Wasserrahmenrichtline. Limnologie aktuell Band 11. Schweizerbart′sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart: 76–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nehring, S., 2002. Biological invasions into German waters: an evaluation of the importance of different human-mediated vectors for nonindigeneous species. In Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds), Invasive Aquatic Species of Europe. Distribution, Impacts and Management. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 373–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nehring, S. & H. Leuchs, 2000. Neozoen im Makrozoobenthos der Brackgewässer an der deutschen Nordseeküste. Lauterbornia 39: 73–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pottgiesser, T., J. Kail, S. Seuter & M. Halle, 2004. Abschließende Arbeiten zur Fliessgewässertypisierung entsprechend den Anforderungen der EU-WRRL - Teil II. Essen, LAWA Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser: 1-20.

  • Rolauffs, P., D. Hering, M. Sommerhäuser, S. Jähnig & S. Rödiger, 2003. Entwicklung eines leitbildorientierten Saprobienindexes für die biologische Fließgewässerbewertung. Umweltbundesamt, Forschungsbericht 20024227. Texte 11/03: 1–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandin, L. & D. Hering, 2004. Comparing macroinvertebrate indices to detect organic pollution across Europe: a contribution to the EC Water Framework Directive intercalibration. Hydrobiologia 516: 55–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Kloiber, A., W. Graf, A. Lorenz & O. Moog, 2006. The AQEM/STAR taxalist—a pan-European macro-invertebrate ecological database and taxa inventory. Hydrobiologia 566: 325–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. J., J. R. Kay, D. H. D. Edward, J. C. Simpson, A. M. Pender, D. J. Corle, P. H. J. Honwitz, J. A. Davis, F. H. Yung, R. H. Norris & S. A. Horsle, 1999. AUSRIVAS: using macroinvertebrates to assess ecological conditions of rivers in western Australia. Freshwater Biology 41: 269–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sommerhäuser, M. & T. Pottgiesser, 2005. Die Fließgewässertypen Deutschlands als Beitrag zur Umsetzung der E.G-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie. In Feld, C. K., S. Rödiger, M. Sommerhäuser & G. Friedrich (eds), Typologie, Bewertung, Management von Oberflächengewässern. Stand der Forschung zur Umsetzung der E.G-Wasserrahmenrichtline. Limnologie aktuell Band 11. Schweizerbart′sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart: 13–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, J. F., 2000. An introduction to RIVPACS. Assessing the biological quality of fresh waters: RIVPACS and other techniques. Proceedings of an International Workshop held in Oxford, UK, 16–18 September 1997. Ambleside, Freshwater Biological Association: 1–23.

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to Claus Orendt (Leipzig, Germany), David Culver (Ohio State University, USA), Dan Polhemus (Bishop Museum, Hawaii, USA) and Mark O’Connell (Bath University, UK) for their valuable comments and proof-reading of the MS. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for many helpful advices and suggestions. The project was supported by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Saxony-Anhalt (grant no. LifeScience 54787).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department LOEL, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Strenzfelder Allee 28, D-06406, Bernburg, Germany

    Erik Arndt & Stephan Fiedler

  2. Hydroprojekt Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Riessnerstraße 18, D-99427, Weimar, Germany

    Dirk Böhme

Authors
  1. Erik Arndt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephan Fiedler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Dirk Böhme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Erik Arndt.

Additional information

Handling editor: Richard H. Norris

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Arndt, E., Fiedler, S. & Böhme, D. Effects of invasive benthic macroinvertebrates on assessment methods of the EU Water Frame Work Directive. Hydrobiologia 635, 309–320 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9923-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9923-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation