A Multimetric Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index for the Assessment of Stream Biotic Integrity in Korea

Yung-Chul Jun, Doo-Hee Won, Soo-Hyung Lee, Dong-Soo Kong and Soon-Jin Hwang
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Yung-Chul Jun: Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
Doo-Hee Won: Doohee Institute of Ecological Research, Korea Ecosystem Service Inc., Seoul 153-768, Korea
Soo-Hyung Lee: The National Institute of Environmental Research, Inchon 404-170, Korea
Dong-Soo Kong: Department of Biology, Kyonggi University, Suwon 443-760, Korea
Soon-Jin Hwang: Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea

IJERPH, 2012, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-30

Abstract: At a time when anthropogenic activities are increasingly disturbing the overall ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems, monitoring of biological communities is central to assessing the health and function of streams. This study aimed to use a large nation-wide database to develop a multimetric index (the Korean Benthic macroinvertebrate Index of Biological Integrity—KB-IBI) applicable to the biological assessment of Korean streams. Reference and impaired conditions were determined based on watershed, chemical and physical criteria. Eight of an initial 34 candidate metrics were selected using a stepwise procedure that evaluated metric variability, redundancy, sensitivity and responsiveness to environmental gradients. The selected metrics were number of taxa, percent Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) individuals, percent of a dominant taxon, percent taxa abundance without Chironomidae, Shannon’s diversity index, percent gatherer individuals, ratio of filterers and scrapers, and the Korean saprobic index. Our multimetric index successfully distinguished reference from impaired conditions. A scoring system was established for each core metric using its quartile range and response to anthropogenic disturbances. The multimetric index was classified by aggregating the individual metric ..scores and the value range was quadrisected to provide a narrative criterion (Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent) to describe the biological integrity of the streams in the study. A validation procedure showed that the index is an effective method for evaluating stream conditions, and thus is appropriate for use in future studies measuring the long-term status of streams, and the effectiveness of restoration methods.

Keywords: multimetric index; benthic macroinvertebrates; biological integrity; stream health; bio-assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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