2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/21/2018 | 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SEDIMENT BIOMONITORING INDEX FOR SOUTH AFRICA RIVERS, USING THE TRAIT-BASED APPROACH | 410 A
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SEDIMENT BIOMONITORING INDEX FOR SOUTH AFRICA RIVERS, USING THE TRAIT-BASED APPROACH
Sedimentation of rivers is a major concern in South Africa, yet there is no sediment-specific tool for monitoring the effect of sediment stress on riverine ecosystems. Using a novel trait-based approach (TBA), we developed a macroinvertebrate-based sediment biomonitoring index (SBI). South African macroinvertebrates were classified into four vulnerability classes in relation to the potential effects of sediments in riverine ecosystems as well as the trait attributes possessed by each macroinvertebrate family. Twenty-five macroinvertebrate families were designated highly vulnerable and 22 designated as vulnerable to sediment stress. Twenty-seven families were designated as resilient to or tolerant of sediment impact, while only 18 families were described as being highly resilient to or tolerant of sediment influences in the riverine ecosystems. The index was then tested in the Tsitsa River and its tributaries – rivers that are primarily sediment influenced in South Africa. The index proved responsive and indicated that the rivers ranged between being minimally sedimented and moderately sedimented. The index has potential as a stressor-specific biomonitoring tool in South Africa. We developed an automated spreadsheet to allow for the easy use, and application of the SBI in South Africa
- Bioindicators
- Functional Ecology
- Water Quality
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Presenters/Authors
Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
(), Rhodes University, South Africa, odume.nelson@gmail.com;
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