Monitoring changes in freshwater macroinvertebrate communities along a salinity gradient using artificial substrates.
Scientists strive to develop efficient sampling protocols, reducing both the number of samples and processing time required, which can be adapted for use in a broad range of ecosystems. We investigated the accuracy and usefulness of artificial substrates in monitoring the impact of rising salinity on freshwater macroinvertebrate communities. We sampled seven sites along a salinity gradient (from 0.2gL(-1) to 2.6gL(-1)) over a 19-km stretch of the Meurthe River, in northeastern France. All other parameters remained stable in this section of the river. Artificial substrate samples, each consisting of six liters of pebbles, were removed from the river at one-month intervals and examined. Results obtained indicated the same qualitative impairments as those found in samples collected using a Surber net. The use of artificial substrates was found to be a viable alternative method for assessing biological changes in river quality due to increasing salinity disturbance when Surber sampling cannot be performed.
Piscart
Christophe
C
UMR CNRS ECOBIO-Université de Rennes1 - Campus Beaulieu, 263 Avenue du Général Leclerc, 35042, RENNES Cedex, France. christophe.piscart@univ-rennes1.fr
Moreteau
Jean-Claude
JC
Beisel
Jean-Nicolas
JN
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005602:France; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000469:parasitology*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000502:physiology*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
D012965:Sodium Chloride