Comparison of several biological indices based on river macroinvertebrate benthic community for assessment of running water quality

Abstract

Nine biological indices based on the macroinvertebrate community inhabiting rivers have been calculated in order to find out which of them is more appropriate to evaluate the qualitative status of the running water for public environmental authorities. The BMWP' score (Alba-Tercedor & Sánchez-Ortega 1988) has been chosen because it is both accurate and precise, and easy to calculate. Some problems derived from sampling strategies are discussed. © Gauthier-Villars, 1992.