Reference Conditions for Irish Rivers – Description of
River Types and Communities
Draft Document - 22 December 2004.
Background
The Irish Article 5 Characterisation Report for the Water Framework Directive
(WFD) identifies 12 primary river types in Ireland. The typology used is a System B
Typology based primarily on geology and river slope. The typology chosen has been
shown to be more discriminating than the System A typology on a statistical basis –
i.e. for Macroinvertebrates, Phytobenthos and Macrophytes, both individually and in
combination. Thus, the chosen 12-Type typology has been shown to produce
statistically significant differences between types for these elements that are more
significant than a similar analysis undertaken for the System A typology based on
geology, size and altitude outlined in Annex II of the WFD.
The basic 12-Type typology is based on the results of a large-scale project funded
under the Environmental Research, Technological Development and Innovation
(ERTDI) Programme – The RIVTYPE Project (Kelly-Quinn et al., 2004) which
studied the ecology of 50 high or reference status sites in detail and related the plant
and animal species found to river type over the period 2002-2004. An additional study
of reference condition macroinvertebrates in the headwaters of rivers undertaken for
the Heritage Council of Ireland has also helped in the overall description of reference
conditions for the major types (Baars et al., 2004).
This document outlines the macroinvertebrate communities for the 12 major types.
The basic types are outlined in Table 1. Figs. 1 to 6 map the distribution of the 12
river types in the six River Basin Districts under consideration.
Table 1. Irish River Types based on geology and river slope.
(The type codes have two-digits codes with the first digit indicating the geology of catchment and the
second digit river slope)
1
Catchment Geology (%
bedrock in upstream
catchment by type)
100% Siliceous
2
Code:
Description
Hardness/Alkalinity
Soft water
<35 mg CaCO3/l
1-25% Calcareous (Mixed
Geology)
Medium hardness
35-100 mg CaCO3/l
3
>25% Calcareous
Hard water
>100 mg CaCO3/l
Code:
1
2
3
4
Slope (m/m)
<=0.005
0.005-0.02
0.02-0.04
>0.04
Low Slope
Medium Slope
High Slope
Very High Slope
1
Examples of Type Codes:
The two codes from above are combined in order geology first digit and slope second digit
e.g. A code of 31 indicates a calcareous low-slope site
e.g. A code of 23 indicates a mixed geology and high slope of between 2 and 4% gradient
Maps of river types within the six River Basin Districts. (Click on the thumbnails to
see the maps on www.WFDIreland.ie)
Fig. 1. Eastern RBD
Fig. 2. Southeastern RBD
Fig. 3. Southwestern RBD
Fig. 4. Shannon IRBD
Fig. 5.Western RBD
Fig. 6. Northwestern IRBD
The 12-Type typology was slightly less significant than a 24-Type typology which
had two size/discharge categories and this in turn was slightly less again than a 48type system which had two peat categories. All three potential typologies, however,
performed significantly better than the System A typology. The 12-Type typology
was chosen partly in order to reduce the overall number of potential water body types
but also because of the inherently high variance of ecological communities and the
difficulty in delineating true reference communities for large numbers of closely
related types. The question of site-specific conditions and element-specific responses
to physical, chemical and biotic factors is dealt with further below. In addition to the
12 major types a number of unusual or rare types are noted and treated separately (See
Appendix 2 of this document).
2
Statistical Basis for the Irish River Typology
It has proved possible to produce a single, statistically significant, typology which
separates rivers on the basis of combined and individual elements listed in Annex V
(macroinvertebrates, phytobenthos, macrophytes). This typology has also been shown
to be more discriminating than the equivalent System A typology but for individual
elements and for combined macroinvertebrates, phytobenthos and macrophytes. Table
2 outlines the statistical significance of the 12-Type typology in comparison with the
System A typology.
Table 2. Effectiveness of the typologies in segregating the biological data.
Values are Global-R values from an ANOSIM analysis (Primer). Significance
probabilities (P) are calculated from 999 random permutations of the biological
data. (From Kelly-Quinn et. al 2004). See text for details of individual typologies.
Typology Tested
48-Typology
24-Typology
12-Typology
System A
Biological data: Global R values and Statistical Significance
Combined
Macrophytes
Phytobenthos
Macroinvertebrates
P
P
P
P
0.489 <0.001 0.333 <0.001 0.464 <0.001 0.365
<0.001
0.467 <0.001 0.333 <0.001 0.384 <0.001 0.383
<0.001
0.402 <0.001 0.276 <0.001 0.333 <0.001 0.382
<0.001
0.330 <0.001 0.173 <0.015 0.349 <0.001 0.145
<0.042
The Global R statistic ranges from 0 to 1 and indicates the overall degree of
separation of species by the typology. It should be noted that the pairwise comparison
of individual river types provide much higher R values and thus very clear
discrimination of reference communities between types.
The accuracy of prediction of ecological communities from the combined typologies
is, however, quite low. The overall 12-type typology determined by the RIVTYPE
project for the 50 sites studied is more discriminating than the System A typology
proposed in Annex II. Nonetheless it is still quite poorly discriminating in terms of
predicting the precise reference communities at a particular site or for individual
elements such as macrophytes, phytobenthos or macroinvertebrates. This is primarily
due to the increased variance of the data as each additional element is added to the
overall typological analysis. This is not unexpected, as the specific habitat preferences
of plant species, for example, will obviously be different to those of fish or
macroinvertebrates.
Thus, additional sub-types within the major 12-Type typology outlined above will be
required in order to provide more accurate reference conditions for individual
elements whereby departure from reference conditions can be measured. This will
allow for more precise classification of status than would be possible using a single
broad typology. The WFD obviously requires that a single typology be used for all
elements listed for rivers in Annex V but it is felt that within this overall constraint it
will be possible (and necessary) to develop more site-specific sub-types for individual
elements. This will enable ecologists involved in assessment of ecological status to
produce more accurate and reproducible results when it comes to selecting
classification systems suitable for the assessment of ecological status as defined by
the WFD. This issue will be addressed further in the development of Irish
classification systems in preparation for the ecological monitoring programme due to
3
begin in 2006. It has also been discussed internationally in the context of the
preparations for the intercalibration exercises due to take place in 2005. The NorthSouth share research project funded under INTERREG will also deal with certain
aspects of classification systems for the WFD.
Overview Irish River Types – Macroinvertebrates.
A number of macroinvertebrate taxa are noted as widespread in Irish rivers and found
in virtually all river types: Baetis, Ecdyonurus, Elmis, Ephemerella, Gammarus,
Limnius, Simuliidae and in addition Chironomidae were found in all but those with
the highest slopes. These taxa have low indicator value in terms of identifying
particular types of rivers but are to be expected in most rivers. Both siliceous and
calcareous rivers in the low to high slope categories are characterised also by the
widespread occurrence of Hydropsyche, Leuctra, Potamopyrgus, Sericostomatidae,
Dicranota and Hydracarina but they are less abundant in the very high slope sites
indicating that these are also ubiquitous in all but the steepest rivers. In this context
Ecdyonurus, which is an indicator of good water quality and also a widespread genus
found in almost all river types and at all times of the year, is taken to be a useful
indicator of at least good ecological status where it is present. While it does not
usually occur in potamon type slow-flow reaches, if Ecdyonurus is absent from fast
flowing, riffle stretches with suitable stoney substrata then this is a good indication
that the site is not at reference condition nor of high status. While the presence of
other pollution sensitive species such as Rhithrogena, Heptagenia or Perla can
indicate high or good status if sufficiently abundant, the absence of these taxa does
not necessarily indicate that the site is not of good or high status due to life cycle
seasonal variations or due to more specific habitat preferences as in the case of Perla.
In terms of indicator species, as defined by the indicator species method of Dufrene
and Legendre (1997), only seven macroinvertebrate taxa were found to be statistically
significant indicators of river type in an analysis of some 390 sites. Dytiscidae and the
Limnephilidae (probably Halesus sp.) were typical of low slope siliceous rivers of
Type 11. Amphinemura, Rhithrogena and Hydraenidae appeared to be indicative of
very high slope siliceous rivers of Type 14. Aphelocheirus and Ephemera danica were
indicative of calcareous low slope rivers of Type 31. Indicator taxa generally have
higher abundance in these types and were more likely to be found in these types than
in other river types at reference condition. Because of the natural statistical variation,
however, it is difficult to be prescriptive about the lack of a particular taxon at a site
belonging to a give type, however, especially when it is not particularly common or
abundant taxon and caution and expert judgement is required.
Historical presence and absence of particular taxa in a river is obviously of great
importance in assessing reference conditions. If a species disappears from a river
previously regarded as being at or close to reference condition and assuming that the
river’s status has been accurately classified and species is not a pressure-tolerant type,
then this is obviously an important departure from reference conditions. Thus,
existing and historical records of taxa will play a vital role in gauging reference
conditions and any future decline from reference conditions. Thus, even species
whose pollution tolerance is poorly unknown are of value in assessing reference
conditions at a given site. This is particularly so if the species is abundant at a site.
Thus, for example, the disappearance of Aphelocheius montandoni (saucer bug) from
4
a site where it was formerly abundant would indicate a significant departure from
reference conditions.
Clear distinctions are apparent between low hardness, low alkalinity, siliceous rivers
and calcareous rivers with high hardness and alkalinity values. However, intermediate
hardness rivers were not so clearly defined in terms of their macroinvertebrate faunal
communities. Mixed geology rivers of intermediate water hardness were characterised
by a faunal community which had no strong indicator species that was of intermediate
faunal composition, sharing attributes of both siliceous and calcareous rivers. A
typology which did not include intermediate hardness as a separate category was not
as effective, however, in maximising the overall separation between river sites based
on both macroinvertebrates and other elements. Similar results have been obtained for
lake typology suggesting that three hardness categories are necessary to provide
optimal separation of communities.
Further analysis will be undertaken to produce a more definitive list of reference
condition macroinvertebrate taxa. A large number of samples for which field-based
taxonomic analyses are available are currently being computerised and these will be
used to further validate the typology defined by the ERTDI, RIVTYPE research
project referred to above.
Overview of Irish River Types – Phytobenthos.
Appendix 3 lists the phytobenthic taxa recorded in the RIVTYPE Project (Kelly
Quinn et al., 2004.). Further breakdown of these taxa according to type will be
provided in early 2005.
Overview of Irish River Types – Macrophytes.
The ERTDI, RIVTYPE Project Project (Kelly Quinn et al., 2004.) has surveyed
macrophytes in 50 potential reference conditions sites. Further aggregation of the data
recorded in the main RIVTYPE report will be undertaken according to river type. The
report outlines the issue of site-specific conditions, which is particularly important in
the case of macrophytes.
Overview of Irish River Types – Fish.
While the main RIVTYPE project did not deal with fish, the reference communities
for fish in rivers have been shown to be primarily salmonid populations by work
undertaken in a another ERTDI research project undertaken by the Central Fisheries
Board and scientists in NUI Dublin, Galway and Cork (Champ pers. comm., 2004.
Final Report in preparation). This study examined fish populations in some 500 Irish
river sites in order to assess population composition, structure and abundance in
relation to water quality status as assessed by EPA biological Quality Ratings. This
study suggests that in virtually every river, the fish populations to be expected in
reference conditions will be dominated by salmonid species such as trout and salmon
(Salmo trutta and Salmo salar). Catadromous species such as eels (Anguilla anguilla)
and lampreys may also be present in those rivers that are physically accessible to
these species. As an anadromous species of fish salmon (and sea trout) may not
always be present, even in reference status rivers, due to natural barriers. Natural and
artificial barriers to salmon migration have been documented by a recent study
(McGinnity et al., 2003). A number of other native fish species may also be expected.
The question of introduced species is still under consideration.
5
Overview of Irish River Types – Phytoplankton.
Phytoplankton populations are negligible in most Irish rivers as the residence time of
rivers per se is insufficient to maintain true phytoplankton populations. Thus, apart
from phytoplankton washed into rivers downstream of lakes, viable phytoplankton
populations are not normally found in Irish rivers due to their relatively short length
and fast flow velocities. It is proposed to confirm that this is so by analysing a series
of phytoplankton samples from Irish rivers.
Overview of Irish River Types – Water Chemistry.
Comparisons between existing ecological assessments and water chemistry have been
undertaken on a number of occasions for Irish rivers. Table 3 gives typical values for
high status sites. Sites which achieve Q5 status under the EPA’s Quality Rating
System (e.g. McGarrigle et al 2002) are currently regarded as potential reference
condition sites. Some additional analysis will be undertaken regarding potential
further differentiation between calcareous and siliceous rivers using, for example, a
morphoedaphic index, for example, to predict likely natural differences in expected
phosphorus levels for different geological types. Existing data, however, suggest that
for nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen even the large, low slope calcareous
rivers can be expected to fall within the typical range of values outlined below at
reference state (e.g. the lower Moy River which is believed to be of high status).
Table 3. ‘Typical’ physico–chemical values for Irish rivers
classified into ecological status categories (based on EPA
Q-Values): median, mean and standard deviation of the
reported values for sample sites in the period 1983–1985.
‘Max N’ is the total number of sites per status category
but it should be noted that not all sites have chemical
analyses for all parameters. Chemical conditions at Q5
sites are suggested as those pertaining at potential
reference sites.
High Status
Q-Value
Max N
Good Status
High Status
Q4
351
Q4-5
156
Potential Reference
Condition Sites
Q5
105
Median
Mean
SD
Minimum DO 1983–1985 (% saturation O2)
73.0
76.0
78.0
70.2
76.8
77.7
13.9
9.9
14.1
Median
Mean
SD
Median DO 1983–1985 (% saturation O2)
90.0
91.0
92.0
90.0
91.9
93.8
8.2
6.3
7.9
Median
Mean
SD
Median Ammonia 1983–1985 (total) mg N/l
0.040
0.030
0.030
0.062
0.046
0.049
0.077
0.048
0.073
Median BOD 1983–1985 (mg O2/l)
6
Median
Mean
SD
1.60
1.67
0.42
1.50
1.49
0.45
1.30
1.41
0.37
Median
Mean
SD
Maximum BOD 1983–1985 (mg O2/l)
3.70
3.20
3.20
4.63
3.91
3.84
3.49
2.56
3.16
Median Molybdate Reactive Phosphorus 1983–1985 (mg P/l)
Median
0.030
0.020
0.015
Mean
0.047
0.027
0.022
SD
0.054
0.024
0.019
Median
Mean
SD
Median Oxidised Nitrogen 1983–1985 (mg N/l)
1.20
0.88
0.54
1.55
1.29
0.76
1.31
1.14
0.77
Median
Mean
SD
Median Chloride 1983–1985 (mg Cl/l)
19.0
19.0
16.0
19.3
18.7
16.1
4.0
10.1
4.4
Median
Median pH 1983–1985 (pH units)
7.9
7.8
7.9
Overview of Irish River Types – Hydromorphology.
Results of Hydromorphology study funded by the ERTDI Research programme with
recommendations for assessing reference condition from a morphological perspective.
The NSSHARE project is also undertaking work on the assessment of
hydromorphology and consideration of reference conditions will form part of this
research work. Advice from fluvial hydromorphologists (Newsom pers. comm.
O’Kane pers. comm.) also pointed to the need to understand and quantify silt flux
from reference catchments in order to gauge the extent of departure from reference
conditions. The whole question of monitoring of silt fluxes is also important as a
cross-cutting issue insofar as silt may be regarded as a pollutant in its own right (e.g.
clogging spawning gravels and microhabitats) and as transport for nutrients and
priority substances.
Conclusions:
This document and the research projects referred to provide an initial view of Irish
River typology and reference conditions. Additional work to provide descriptions of
reference conditions for each of the individual types, together with statistical
reliability of these communities, will be completed in advance of March 22, 2005.
7
References:
Baars, J-B, Bradley, C. and Kelly-Quinn, M. 2004. Macroinvertebrate assemblages of
Irish ‘headwaters’ and the preliminary evaluation of their biological integrity. A
report compiled for the Heritage Council. Zoology Department, National University
of Ireland Dublin. 49 pp.
Dufrene, M. and P. Legendre. 1997. Species assemblages and indicator species: the
need for a flexible symmetrical approach. Ecological Monographs 67:345-366.
Kelly-Quinn, M., Baars, J-R., Bradley, C., Dodkins I., Harrington, T.J., Ní Catháin,
B., O’Connor, Mm., Rippey, B., Trigg, D. 2004. Characterisation of reference
conditions and testing of typology of rivers (RIVTYPE). Draft report to the EPA.
McGarrigle M.L., Bowman J.J., Clabby K.C., Lucey J.L., Cunningham P.
MacCárthaigh, M., Keegan M., Cantrell B., Lehane M., Clenaghan C. and Toner P.
2002. Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000. Environmental Protection Agency,
Wexford, Ireland. ISBN 1-84095-081-1
McGinnity, P., Gargan, P., Roche, W., Mills, P., and McGarrigle, M. 2003.
Quantification of the Freshwater Salmon Habitat Asset in Ireland using data
interpreted in a GIS platform. Central Fisheries Board, Dublin, Ireland.
8
Appendix 1. List of 278 taxa with percentage occurrence found in 50 sites
sampled seasonally during the RIVTYPE ERTDI Project (Kelly Quinn et al.,
2004).
Order
Family
Taxon
Annelida
Lumbricidae
Lumbricidae indet.
Elmis aenea (Muller)
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Limnius volckmari (Panzer)
Diptera
Chironomidae
Chironominae indet.
Diptera
Chironomidae
Orthocladinae indet.
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simuliidae indet.
Baetis rhodani (Pictet)
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Ecdyonurus spp.
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Ecdyonurus venosus (Fabricius)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Ephemeroptera Ephemerellidae Ephemerella ignita Poda
Protonemura meyeri (Pictet)
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Halesus radiatus (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Limnephilidae indet.
Esolus parallelepipedus (Muller)
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Diptera
Chironomidae
Tanypodinae indet.
Leuctra hippopus Kempny
Plecoptera
Leuctridae
Rhyacophila dorsalis (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Rhyacophilidae
Dicranota spp.
Diptera
Tipulidae
Rhithrogena semicolorata (Curtis)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Hydraena gracilis Germar
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Leuctra spp.
Plecoptera
Leuctridae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche siltalai Dohler
Annelida
Tubificidae
Tubificidae indet.
Isoperla grammatica (Poda)
Plecoptera
Perlodidae
Silo pallipes (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Goeridae
Annelida
Enchytraeidae
Enchytraeidae indet.
Oulimnius tuberculatus (Muller)
Coleoptera
Elmidae
Ancylus fluviatilis Muller
Mollusca
Ancylidae
Siphlonoperla torrentium (Pictet)
Plecoptera
Chloroperlidae
Trichoptera
Sericostomatidae Sericostoma personatum (Spence)
Baetis muticus (L.)
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Leuctra inermis Kempny
Plecoptera
Leuctridae
Lumbriculus variegatus (Mull.)
Annelida
Lumbriculidae
Gammarus duebeni (Lilljeborg)
Crustacea
Gammaridae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche pellucidula (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae Hydropsychidae indet.
Rhyacophila spp.
Trichoptera
Rhyacophilidae
Tipula spp.
Diptera
Tipulidae
Potamophylax cingulatus (Stephens)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Wiedemannia/ Clinocera spp.
Diptera
Empididae
Rhithrogena spp.
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Amphinemura sulcicollis (Stephens)
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Polycentropus flavomaculatus (Pictet)
Elodes spp.
Coleoptera
Helodidae
Oreodytes sanmarkii (Sahlberg)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Diptera
Psychodidae
Psychodidae indet.
Simulium argyreatum / S. variegatum
Diptera
Simuliidae
Potamopyrgus antipodarium Gray
Mollusca
Hydrobiidae
9
% Occurrence
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
98
98
98
98
96
96
94
94
94
92
92
92
90
90
90
90
90
88
88
86
86
86
86
86
84
84
82
80
80
80
78
78
78
78
78
Order
Family
Taxon
Plecoptera
Taeniopteryigidae Brachyptera risi (Morton)
Trichoptera
Lepidostomatidae Lepidostoma hirtum (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Polycentropodidae indet
Acari
Acarai
Hydracarina indet.
Stylodrilus heringianus Clap.
Annelida
Lumbriculidae
Eloeophila spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
Ephemeroptera Caenidae
Caenis rivolorum Eaton
Hemerodromia spp.
Diptera
Empididae
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Agapetus spp.
Silo spp.
Trichoptera
Goeridae
Chelifera spp.
Diptera
Empididae
Pisidium casertanum (Poli)
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Plectrocnemia conspersa (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Polycentropus spp.
Orechtochilus villosus (Muller)
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Ecdyonurus insignis (Eaton)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Odontocerum albicorne (Scopoli)
Trichoptera
Odontoceridae
Diptera
Ptychopteridae
Sub-family Ceratopogoninae
Rhyacophila munda McLachan
Trichoptera
Rhyacophilidae
Gammarus sp.
Crustacea
Gammaridae
Electrogena lateralis (Curtis)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Perla bipunctata Pictet.
Plecoptera
Perlidae
Baetis scambus Eaton
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Glossosoma spp.
Hydroptila spp.
Trichoptera
Hydroptilidae
Ithytrichia spp.
Trichoptera
Hydroptilidae
Oreodytes septentrionalis (Gyllenhal)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Chaetopteryx villosa (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Centroptilum luteolum (Muller)
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Psychomia pursilla (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Heptagenia sulphurea (Muller)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Tricladidia
Tricladidia
Tricladidia indet.
Diptera
Chironomidae
Prodiamesinae indet.
Erpobdella octoculata (L.)
Hirudinea
Erpobdellidae
Athripsodes spp.
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Annelida
Nematoda
Nematoda
Hirudinea
Glossiphonidae Glossiphonia complanata (L.)
Lymnaea peregra (Muller)
Mollusca
Lymnaeidae
Chloroperla tripunctata (Scopoli)
Plecoptera
Chloroperlidae
Limnophora spp.
Diptera
Muscidae
Drusus annulatus (Stephens)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae Philopotamus monatus (Donovan)
Hydrocyphon sp. larva
Coleoptera
Helodidae
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Polycentropus kingi McLachlan
Antocha spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
Pisidium subtruncatum Malm
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Simulium argyreatum Meigen
Diptera
Simuliidae
Nemoura avicularis Morton
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Plectrocnemia spp.
Rhyacodrilus coccineus (Vej.)
Annelida
Tubificidae
Limnebius truncatellus (Thunberg)
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Diptera
Simuliidae
Nevermannia
Simulium variegatum Meigen
Diptera
Simuliidae
10
% Occurrence
78
76
76
74
74
74
74
72
72
72
70
70
70
70
66
66
66
64
64
62
60
60
58
58
58
58
54
54
50
50
48
48
46
46
46
44
44
44
44
42
42
42
40
40
38
38
36
36
36
34
34
34
34
Order
Family
Taxon
Paraleptophlebia cincta (Retzius)
Ephemeroptera Leptophlebidae
Stictotarsus duodecimpustulatus (Fabricius)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
S. ornatum / S. intermedium / S. trifasciatum
Diptera
Simuliidae
Ecdyonurus torrentis Kimmins
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Nemoura spp.
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Trichoptera
Goeridae
Goeridae indet.
Potamophylax latipennis (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Coleoptera
Curculionidae
Curculionidae indet.
Asellus aquaticus (L.)
Crustacea
Asellidae
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Agapetus fuscipes Curtis
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Glossosoma boltoni Curtis
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche instabilis (Curtis)
Pedicia spp.
Diptera
Pediciidae
Baetis spp.
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Ephemeroptera Leptophlebidae
Leptophlebidae spp.
Halesus digitatus (Schrank)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Lype reducta (Hagen)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Simulium cryophilum (Rubzov)
Diptera
Simuliidae
Velia spp.
Hemiptera
Veliidae
Ecclisopteryx guttulata (Pictet)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Glossosomatidae indet.
Goera pilosa (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Goeridae
Oxyethira spp.
Trichoptera
Hydroptilidae
Spirosperma ferox Eisen
Annelida
Tubificidae
Dryops spp.
Coleoptera
Dryopidae
Helophorus spp.
Coleoptera
Helophoridae
Hydraena rufipes/riparia/britteni grp.
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Oreodytes spp.
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Staphylinidae
Staphylinidae indet. (semi-aquatic)
Lymnaea truncatula (Muller)
Mollusca
Lymnaeidae
Hydraena riparia Kugelann
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Simulium ornatum/S. intermedium
Diptera
Simuliidae
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simulium reptans (L.)
Ecdyonurus dispar (Curtis)
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Velia caprai Tamanini
Hemiptera
Veliidae
Hirudinea
Glossiphonidae Helobdella stagnalis (L.)
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Agapetus delicatulus McLachlan
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae Hydropsyche instabilis/pellucidula
Trichoptera
Lepidostomatidae Lasiocephala basalis (Kolenati)
Haliplus lineatocollis (Marsham)
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Caenis luctuosa (Burmeister)
Ephemeroptera Caenidae
Bathyomphalus contortus (L.)
Mollusca
Planorbidae
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Cyrnus trimaculatus (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Plectrocnemia geniculata McLachlan
Tinodes waeneri (L.)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae Wormaldia occipitalis (Pictet)
Siphlonurus lacustris Eaton
Ephemeroptera Siphlonuridae
Hirudinea
Glossiphonidae Glossiphonia hereroclita (L.)
Piscicola geometra (L.)
Hirudinea
Piscicolidae
Pisidium spp.
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae Wormaldia spp.
Simulium armoricanum Doby & David
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simulium vernum Macquart (spp. complex)
Diptera
Simuliidae
11
% Occurrence
34
32
32
32
32
32
32
30
30
30
30
30
28
28
28
28
28
26
26
26
26
26
26
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
22
22
22
22
22
22
22
22
22
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
18
18
18
18
18
16
16
Order
Family
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Plecoptera
Perlidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Annelida
Tubificidae
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Ephemeroptera Heptageniidae
Odonata
Calopterygidae
Trichoptera
Beraeidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Annelida
Tubificidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Diptera
Athericidae
Diptera
Dixidae
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Diptera
Simuliidae
Ephemeroptera Ephemeridae
Hemiptera
Corixidae
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Plecoptera
Nemouridae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Trichoptera
Goeridae
Annelida
Lumbriculidae
Annelida
Tubificidae
Annelida
Tubificidae
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Diptera
Dixidae
Diptera
Dolichopodidae
Diptera
Simuliidae
Diptera
Stratiomyidae
Hemiptera
Gerridae
Taxon
Pisidium nitidium Jenyns
Pisidium personatum Malm
Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis)
Halesus spp.
Limnephilus lunatus Curtis
Lype phaeopa (Stephens)
Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparede
Brychius elevatus (Panzer)
Gyrinus substriatus Stephens
Gyrinus urinator Illiger
Haliplus spp.
Potamonectes depressus elegans (Panzer)
Heptagenia spp.
Calopteryx virgo (L.)
Beraea maurus (Curtis)
Limnephilus spp.
Aulodrilus pluriseta (Pig.)
Anacaena globulus (Paykull)
Hydroporus tessellatus Drapiez
Atherix marginata Fabricius
Dixa puberula Loew
Baetis vernus Curtis
Nemoura cinerea (Retzius)
Agapetus ochripes Curtis
Lype spp.
Mystacides spp.
Oecetis testacea (Curtis)
Wormaldia subnigra McLachlan
Agabus spp.
Hydroporus spp.
Simulium tuberosum (Lundstrom)
Ephemera danica Muller
Hesperocorixa sahlbergi (Fieber)
Nemouridae indet.
Nemurella pictetii Klapalek
Anabolia nervosa (Curtis)
Diplectrona felix McLachan
Micropterna/Stenophylax grp.
Mystacides azurea (L.)
Oecetis spp.
Silo nigricornis (Pictet)
Lumbriculidae indet.
Stylaria lacustris (L.)
Tubifex ignotus (Stolc)
Gyrinus caspius Menetries
Haliplus spp.ruficollis grp
Oreodytes davisii (Curtis)
Stictonectes lepidus (Olivier)
Dixa nebulosa Meigen
Dolichopodidae indet.
Simulium dunfellense / S. urbanum
Stratiomyidae indet.
Gerris najas (De Geer)
12
% Occurrence
16
16
16
16
16
16
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Order
Family
Taxon
% Occurrence
Micronecta poweri (Douglas & Scott)
Hemiptera
Corixidae
8
Haemopis
sanguisuga
(L.)
Hirudinea
Hirudinidae
8
Mollusca
Margaritiferidae Margaritifera margaritifera (L.)
8
Pisidium. milium Held
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
8
Gordius sp.
Nemertea
Gordiidae
8
Leuctra nigra (Olivier)
Plecoptera
Leuctridae
8
Athripsodes cinereus (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
8
Limnephilus rhombicus (L.)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
8
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Polycentropus irrorata (Curtis)
8
Potamophylax spp.
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
8
Coleoptera
Chrysomelidae
Galerucinae indet.
6
Gyrinus spp.
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
6
Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck)
Diptera
Chironomidae
6
Diptera
Limoniidae
Limoniidae
6
Microtendipes pedellus (De Geer)
Diptera
Chironomidae
6
Orimarga spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
6
Diptera
Sciomyzidae
Sciomyzidae indet.
6
Diptera
Syrphidae
Syrphidae
6
Tricyphona spp.
Diptera
Pediciidae
6
Ameletus inopinatus Eaton
Ephemeroptera Siphlonuridae
6
Callicorixa praeusta (Fieber)
Hemiptera
Corixidae
6
Lymnaea palustris (Muller)
Mollusca
Lymnaeidae
6
Capnia bifrons (Newman)
Plecoptera
Capnidae
6
Diura bicaudata (Linnaeus)
Plecoptera
Perlodidae
6
Beraeodes minutus (L.)
Trichoptera
Beraeidae
6
Trichoptera
Lepidostomatidae Crunoecia irrorata (Curtis)
6
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Tinodes spp.
6
Agabus bipustulatus (L.)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Agabus paludosus (Fabricius)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Brychius sp.
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
4
Coleoptera
Chrysomelidae
Chrysomelidae indet.
4
Dytiscus spp.
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Coleoptera
Helodidae
Helodidae indet.
4
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Hydraena spp.
4
Hydraena testacea Curtis
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
4
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Hydrophilidae indet. Larvae
4
Hydroporus nigrita (Fabricius)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Hydroporus pubescens (Gyllenhal)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Nebrioporus spp.
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Potamonectes depressus elegans complex (Panzer)
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
4
Asellus meridianus Racovitza
Crustacea
Asellidae
4
Asellus spp.
Crustacea
Asellidae
4
Dixa maculata/nubilipennis
Diptera
Dixidae
4
Diptera
Empididae
Empididae
4
Eukiefferiella spp.
Diptera
Chironomidae
4
Euphylidorea/Phylidorea spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
4
Pilaria spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
4
Diptera
Rhagionidae
Rhagionidae
4
Simulium sp.
Diptera
Simuliidae
4
Simulium
equinum
(L.)
Diptera
Simuliidae
4
Simulium noelleri Friederichs
Diptera
Simuliidae
4
Wiedemannia spp.
Diptera
Empididae
4
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Baetidae indet.
4
13
Order
Family
Ephemeroptera Leptophlebidae
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Ephemeroptera Siphlonuridae
Hemiptera
Gerridae
Mollusca
Planorbidae
Mollusca
Planorbidae
Mollusca
Physidae
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Neuroptera
Osmylidae
Odonata
Calopterygidae
Odonata
Calopterygidae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Philopotamidae
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Annelida
Naididae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Chrysomelidae
Coleoptera
Gyrinidae
Coleoptera
Haliplidae
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Coleoptera
Hydraenidae
Coleoptera
Hydrophilidae
Crustacea
Astacidae
Crustacea
Gammaridae
Diptera
Athericidae
Diptera
Chironomidae
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Culicidae
Diptera
Ceratopogonidae
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Dixidae
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Chironomidae
Diptera
Chironomidae
Diptera
Simuliidae
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Limoniidae
Taxon
Leptophlebia vespertina (L.)
Procloeon bifidum (Bengttson)
Siphlonurus spp.
Gerris lacustris (L.)
Ansius leucostoma (Millet)
Gyraulus albus Muller
Physa fontinalis (L.)
Pisidium hibernicum Westerlund
Pisidium pulchellum Jenyns
Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli)
Calopteryx splendens (Harris)
Calopteryx spp.
Cheumatopsyche lepida (Pictet)
Chimarra marginata (L.)
Hydropsyche angustipennis (Curtis)
Hydropsyche contubernalis McLachlan
Limnephilus marmoratus Curtis
Philopotamidae indet.
Stenophylax permistus McLachlan
Tinodes maculicornis (Pictet)
Naididae indet.
Anacaena limbata (Fabricius)
Colymbetinae indet.
Donaciinae indet.
Gyrinidae indet.
Haliplus confinis Stephens
Hydraena minutissima Stephens
Hydraena puchella Germar
Hydroporus discretus Fairmaire&Brisout
Hydroporus erythrocephalus (L.)
Hydroporus obsoletus Aube
Hydroporus planus (Fabricius)
Laccobius sinuatus Motschulsky
Laccobius spp.
Laccobius striatulus (Fabricius)
Megasternum obscurum (Marsham)
Ochthebius exsculptus Germar
Paracymus scutellaris (Rosenhauer)
Austropotamobius pallipes (Lere)
Gammarus pulex (L.)
Athericidae
Brilla spp.
Cheilotrichia spp.
Culicidae indet.
Dasyhelea spp.
Dicronomyia/Neolimonia spp.
Dixa spp.
Erioptera spp.
Eukiefferiella coerulescens (Kieffer)
Eukiefferiella gracei (Edwards)
Eusimulium
Helius spp.
Limonia spp.
14
% Occurrence
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Order
Family
Taxon
Lipsothrix spp.
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Muscidae
Muscidae
Ptychoptera spp.
Diptera
Ptychopteridae
Rhypholophus varius (Meigen)
Diptera
Limoniidae
Diptera
Scatophagidae
Scatophagidae indet.
Simulium angustipes / S. velutinum
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simulium angustitarse (Lundstrom)
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simulium equin/lineatum/pseud
Diptera
Simuliidae
Simulium rostratum (Lundstrom)
Diptera
Simuliidae
Stictochironomous spp.
Diptera
Chironomidae
Diptera
Stratiomyidae
Stratiomyidae
Diptera
Stratiomyidae
Sub-family Clitellariinae
Baetis atrebatinus Eaton
Ephemeroptera Baetidae
Ephemeroptera Caenidae
Caenidae indet.
Hemiptera
Aphelocheiridae Aphelocheirus aestivalis (Fabricius)
Nepa cinerea L.
Hemiptera
Nepidae
Notonecta glauca L.
Hemiptera
Notonectidae
Erpobdella spp.
Hirudinea
Erpobdellidae
Erpobdella testacea (Savigny)
Hirudinea
Erpobdellidae
Hirudinea
Glossiphonidae Glossiphonidae indet.
Hirudinea
Glossiphonidae Theromyzon tessulatum (O.F. Mull.)
Sialis lutaria (Linnaeus)
Megaloptera Sialidae
Aplexa hypnnorum (L.)
Mollusca
Physidae
Arminger crista (L.)
Mollusca
Planorbidae
Bithynia tentaculata (L.)
Mollusca
Bithyniidae
Lymnaea stagnalis (L.)
Mollusca
Lymnaeidae
Planorbis planorbis (L.)
Mollusca
Planorbidae
Sphaerium corneum (L.)
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae
Theodoxus fluviatilis (L.)
Mollusca
Neritidae
Mollusca
Valvatidae
Valvata piscinalis (Muller)
Nemertea
Gordioidae
Gordioidae indet.
Odonata
Coenagrioniidae Coenagrioniidae indet.
Odonata
Coenagrioniidae Ischnura elegans (Van der Linden)
Odonata
Coenagrioniidae Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer)
Trichoptera
Hydroptilidae
Agraylea spp.
Trichoptera
Hydroptilidae
Allotrichia spp.
Trichoptera
Beraeidae
Beraea pullata (Curtis)
Trichoptera
Beraeidae
Beraea spp.
Trichoptera
Leptoceridae
Ceraclea spp.
Trichoptera
Glossosomatidae Glossoma conformis Neboiss
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Glyphotaelius pellicidus (Retzius)
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Holocentropus dubius (Rambur)
Trichoptera
Limnephilidae
Limnephilus flavicornis (Fabricius)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Metalype fragilis (Pictet)
Trichoptera
Polycentropodidae Neureclipsis bimaculata (L.)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Tinodes dives (Pictet)
Trichoptera
Psychomyiidae
Tinodes maculicornis/unicolor
15
% Occurrence
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Appendix 2:
Reference Conditions for Unusual River Types or Sub-Types
1. Groundwater-influenced rivers
a. spring-fed rivers of naturally low oxygen saturation and
b. rivers in karst limestone regions with significant sections of
underground channel.
Rivers that emerge from ground fed by large underground sources can have naturally
low dissolved oxygen saturation even in their reference condition due to the
groundwater influence. Thus, many of the expected oxygen-sensitive
macroinvertebrates may not be present. These river stretches tend to be stenothermic,
hard-water systems with abundant plant growth such as watercress, Nasturtium
aquaticum and Apiumnodiflorum typically present. It is important to distinguish
between sites that are influenced by a groundwater source contaminated by organic
pollutants such as animal slurries or septic tank discharges. Additional work is also
required to elaborate on reference conditions and the impact of groundwater on the
ecology of those rivers whose summer flow is formed primarily by groundwater
sources.
2. Highly calcareous rivers (calcium carbonate precipitation, travertine
formation, etc)
Such rivers may have calcium carbonate crystals precipitating on plants and even
invertebrates themselves may have crystalline deposits on their bodies. Travertine
formation and the ‘cementing’ of the substratum with calcareous deposits may lead to
a habitat unsuitable for the typical clean-stone species such as Ecdyonurus venosus. In
certain cases, however, Dinocras cephalotes may occur particularly in karst limestone
rivers such as the Caher in the Burren of Co. Clare. Extensive liverwort growths have
been noted in other rivers and moss growths are also typical. Further work is required
to distinguish between potentially interactions between eutrophication and travertine
formation and the degree to which seasonal variation in calcium deposition occurs.
3. Very acidic rivers of extremely low alkalinity
There are a small number of extremely acidic rivers where there appears to be no
external impacts (with the possible exception of atmospheric deposition). In extreme
cases all ephemeropteran species will be absent and species diversity extremely low
16
(6 to 10 taxa). Filamentous algal species may also dominate in certain situations in
these rivers due perhaps to lack of grazing pressure from invertebrates. Macrophytes
such as Juncus bulbosus may occur (although J. bulbosus will also occur in much less
acidic conditions so it is not diagnostic of itself.). Additional work is required to
confirm both the lack of acid deposition in such cases and to better understand the
specific bedrock geology that is associated with these rivers.
4.
River stretches with unusual substrata
a. Bedrock
b. Clay
c. Sand
Many rivers have stretches where the natural substratum is not suitable for a wide
range of invertebrate or plant species. In these cases reference conditions may be
typicifed by a much sparser species list than that of a typical stoney substratum river.
Additional work is required to produce taxonomic lists for reference condition sites
that will allow more precise ecological assessments to be made. Sandy rivers will
have more psammophilic species (e.g. Lumbriculus variegatus, Ephemera danica)
than ‘normal’ rivers. Bedrock river stretches may be expected to be dominated by
extreme clingers or if moss is present by moss dwellers. Clay substratum rivers can
also be expected to have a much reduced diversity of invertebrates and plant species.
Additional work is required to refine reference conditions for these sub-types.
5.
Deep rivers
While the main typology does include low-slope rivers for hard-, moderate- and softwater rivers, in most Irish rivers they will tend to be relatively shallow and possess
occasional riffle-glide-pool sequences and in summer at least it is usually possible to
wade and obtain a standard kick sample. The deep river sub-type deals specifically
with river stretches where it is never possible to obtain a standard kick sample – e.g.
the main channel of river Shannon. A research project is being undertaken as part of
the NSSHARE project to derive reference conditions and a classification system for
these river stretches.
6. Lake influenced rivers
17
Rivers immediately downstream of a lake are influenced particularly by the natural
outflow of phytoplankton and zooplankton from the lake. The predominance of filterfeeders in the invertebrate community is expected (whereas in other situations these
may indicate a source of pollution). It is critical, however, to reference the
communities to that of a clean lake as eutrophic lakes, for example, will yield a much
higher biomass and hence result in distorted communities which may depart
significantly from their reference state. Additional analysis of existing records in
relation to lake water quality is required to further refine the reference conditions
downstream of lakes.
7. Intermittent rivers
In karst areas in particular rivers may run dry for a considerable period each summer.
Reference communities will obviously be much reduced in such rivers in comparison
with a permanent river. Rapid colonisers or hyporheic species that can survive
beneath the dry riverbed will form part of the reference communities.
18
Appendix 3. Phytobenthic taxa from 50 potential reference river sites. Frequency (%)
is the proportion of the sites from which the taxon was recorded.
Phylum
Taxon
% Frequency
Chlorophyta
Ankistrodesmus densus Korshikov
Ankistrodesmus falcatus (Corda) Ralfs
Ankistrodesmus fusiformis Corda et Korshikov
Bulbochaete sp.
Carteria sp.
Chaetophora elegans (Roth) C. Agardh
Chaetophora sp
Cladophora glomerata (Linnaeus) Kützing
Cladophora sp.
Closterium parvulum Nägeli
Closterium spp
Cosmarium spp
Desmococcus olivaceum (Persoon ex Acherson) Laundon
Draparnaldia glomerata (Vaucher) C. Agardh
Draparnaldia mutabilis (Roth) Cedergren
Gongrosira debaryana Rabenhorst
Gongrosira sp.
Kirchneriella irregularis (G.M. Smith) Korshikov
Klebsormidium fluitans (F. Gay) Lokhorst
Klebsormidium mucosum (J.B. Petersen) Lokhorst
Klebsormidium rivulare (Kützing) Morison et Sheath
Klebsormidium spp
Microspora crassior (Hansgirg) Hazen
Microspora floccosa (Vaucher) Thuret
Microspora irregularis (West et G.S. West) Wichmann
Microspora pachyderma (Wille) Lagerheim
Microspora spp
Microspora stagnorum (Kützing) Lagerheim
Microspora tumidula Hazen
Monoraphidium spp
Monostroma sp.
Mougeotia <5 µm
Mougeotia <10 µm
Mougeotia 10-19 µm
Mougeotia 20-29 µm
Mougeotia 30-40 µm
Nephrocytium limneticum (G.M. Smith) G.M. Smith
Oedogonium 5-9 µm
Oedogonium 10-14 µm
Oedogonium 15-19 µm
Oedogonium 20-24 µm
Oedogonium 25-29 µm
Oedogonium 30-34 µm
Oedogonium 35-39 µm
Oedogonium 45-49 µm
Pediastrum boryanum (Turpin) Meneghini
Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot) Kützing
Scenedesmus arcuatus (Lemmermann) Lemmermann
Scenedesmus ellipticus Corda
Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kützing
Scenedesmus spp
Sigeoclonium tenue Kützing
Stigeoclonium helveticum Vischer
Stigeoclonium sp.
Spirogyra 15-30 µm
Spirogyra 30-40 µm
Spirogyra 40-50 µm
Spirogyra 50-60 µm
Staurastrum spp (Meyen) Ralfs
Ulothrix aequalis Kützing
Ulothrix moniliformis Kützing
Ulothrix spp
Ulothrix tenerrima Kützing
Ulothrix tenuissima Kützing
Ulothrix zonata (Weber et Mohr) Kützing
Zygnema 5-9 µm
Zygnema 10-14 µm
Zygnema 15-19 µm
Zygnema 20-24 µm
Zygnema 25-29 µm
Zygnema 30-34 µm
2
10
4
20
4
4
2
46
2
4
50
48
2
2
2
4
44
2
2
2
4
8
10
4
8
4
24
2
22
18
30
2
4
20
28
14
2
4
10
14
12
16
8
4
2
2
2
4
2
2
8
6
2
14
26
16
16
4
18
4
2
4
10
6
46
8
8
8
2
2
2
Euglenophyta
Trachelomonas sp.
2
Phaeophyta
Heribaudiella fluviatilis (Areschoug) Svedelius
8
Cyanophyta
Aphanocapsa elachista West et G.S. West
Unidentified blue green spp
Calothrix spp (C. Agardh) Bornet et Flahault
2
8
20
19
Phylum
Taxon
% Frequency
Chamaesiphon incrustans Grunow in Rabenhorst
Chamaesiphon confervicolus A. Braun
Chamaesiphon fucus (Rostafinski) Hansgirg
Chroococcus minutus (Kützing) Nägeli
Chroococcus spp
Lyngbya aestuarii (Liebmann) Gomont
Lyngbya confervoides (C. Agardh) Gomont
Lyngbya diguetii Gomont in Hariot
Lyngbya lutea C. Agardh emend. Gomont
Lyngbya martensiana (Meneghini) Gomont
Lyngbya sp
Lyngbya vandenberghenii Symoens et van der Werff
Merismopedia punctata Meyen
Merismopedia spp
Nostoc coeruleum (Lyngbye) Bornet et Flahault
Nostoc parmelioides (Kützing) Bornet et Flahault
Nostoc sp
Oscillatoria agardhii Gomont
Oscillatoria anguina (Bory) Gomont
Oscillatoria brevis (Kützing) Gomont
Oscillatoria limosa (C.Agardh) Gomont
Oscillatoria sancta (Kützing) Gomont
Oscillatoria spp
Oscillatoria tenuis (C. Agardh) Gomont
Phormidium luridum (Kützing) Gomont
Phormidium ambiguum (Kützing) Gomont
Phormidium autumnale (C. Agardh) Gomont
Phormidium favosum (Bory) Gomont
Phormidium fragile (Meneghini) Gomont
Phormidium retzii (C. Agardh) Gomont
Phormidium spp
Pseudanabaena catenata Lauterborn
Rivularia biasolettiana (Meneghini) Bornet et Flahault
Rivularia sp
Scytonema sp.
Spirulina sp.
Spirulina subsalsa (Oersted) Gomont
Stigonema sp.
Tolypothrix sp.
48
14
2
2
10
8
2
4
4
22
2
2
2
8
2
2
2
24
2
20
12
14
12
2
2
2
16
30
48
20
4
2
2
2
2
8
2
2
2
Rhodophyta
Audouinella hermannii (Roth) Duby in de Candolle
Bangia atropurpurea (Roth) C. Agardh
Batrachospernum atrum (Hudson) Harvey
Hildenbrandia rivularis (Liebmann)
Lemanea fluviatilis (Linnaeus) C. Agardh
Lemanea fucina Bory
Porphyridium purpureum (Bory) Drew et Ross
52
2
2
22
24
2
4
Bacillariophyta
Achnanthes calcar Cleve
Achnanthes exigua Grunow in Cleve and Grunow
Achnanthes exigua Grunow var. exigua
Achnanthes flexella (Kützing) Brun
Achnanthes helvetica (Hustedt) Lange-Bertalot in Lange-Bertalot & Krammer
Achnanthes laevis Oestrup
Achnanthes lanceolata (Brébisson) Grunow in Cleve and Grunow
Achnanthes oblongella Oestrup
Achnanthes petersenii Hustedt
Achnanthes sp
Achnanthidium biasolettiana (Grunow in Cleve and Grunow ) Bukhtiyarova & Round
Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kützing) Czarnecki
Amphipleura lindheimerii Grunow
Amphora inariensis Krammer
Amphora montana Krasske
Amphora pediculus (Kützing) Grunow
Aulacoseira granulata (Ehrenberg) Simonsen
Brachysira vitrea (Grunow) Ross
Caloneis bacillum (Grunow) Cleve
Cocconeis pediculus Ehrenberg
Cocconeis placentula Ehrenberg
Cyclotella meneghiniana Kützing
Cyclotella radiosa (Grunow) Lemmermann
Cyclotella sp
Cymbella affinis Kützing
Cymbella caespitosa (Kützing) Brun
Cymbella cistula (Ehrenberg) Kirchner
Cymbella descripta (Hustedt) Krammer & Lange-Bertalot
Cymbella gracilis (Ehrenberg) Kützing
Cymbella helvetica Kützing
Cymbella microcephala Grunow in Van Heurck
Cymbella minuta Hilse ex Rabenhorst
Cymbella naviculiformis Auerswald
Cymbella proxima Reimer
Cymbella silesiaca Bleisch in Rabenhorst
Cymbella spp
Centric spp.
2
2
2
36
4
6
44
80
8
2
32
100
2
2
4
36
2
30
12
40
78
10
4
2
18
2
4
2
36
14
14
86
4
4
84
4
6
20
Phylum
Taxon
% Frequency
Denticula tenuis Kützing
Diatoma ehrenbergii Kützing
Diatoma mesodon (Ehrenberg) Kützing
Diatoma moniliformis Kützing
Diatoma tenuis Agardh
Diatoma vulgare Bory
Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M. Schmidt
Epithemia adnata (Kützing) Brebisson
Eunotia arcus Ehrenberg
Eunotia bidentula W. Smith
Eunotia bilunaris (Ehrenberg) Mills
Eunotia exigua (Brébisson ex Kützing) Rabenhorst
Eunotia formica Ehrenberg
Eunotia implicata Nörpel, Lange-Bertalot & Alles
Eunotia intermedia (Krasske ex Hustedt) Nörpel & Lange-Bertalot
Eunotia minor (Kützing) Grunow in Van Heurck
Eunotia naegelii Migula
Eunotia pectinalis (Dillwyn) Rabenhorst
Eunotia praerupta Ehrenberg
Eunotia spp
Eunotia subarcuatoides Alles, Norpel & Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria bidens Heiberg
Fragilaria capucina Desmazières
Fragilaria capucina var. amphicephala (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria capucina var. capitellata (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria capucina var. capucina Desmazieres
Fragilaria capucina var. perminuta (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria capucina var. vaucheriae (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria construens aff. F. construens (Ehrenberg) Grunow
Fragilaria exigua Grunow in Cleve & Moller
Fragilaria pulchella (Ralfs ex Kützing) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria robusta (Fusey) Manguin
Fragilaria spp
Fragilaria ulna var. acus (Kützing) Lange-Bertalot
Fragilaria virescens Ralfs
Frustulia rhomboides (Ehrenberg) De Toni
Frustulia rhomboides var. crassinervia (Brébisson) Ross
Frustulia rhomboides var. viridula (Brébisson) Cleve
Frustulia vulgaris (Thwaites) De Toni
Frustulia weinholdii Hustedt
Gomphonema acuminatum Ehrenberg
Gomphonema angustatum (Kützing) Rabenhorst
Gomphonema angustum Agardh
Gomphonema bavaricum Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot
Gomphonema clavatum Ehrenberg
Gomphonema gracile Ehrenberg
Gomphonema micropus Kützing
Gomphonema minutum (C. Agardh) C. Agardh
Gomphonema olivaceum (Hornemann) Brebisson
Gomphonema parvulum (Kützing) Kützing
Gomphonema parvulum var. exilissimum Grunow
Gomphonema pumilum (Grunow) Reichardt & Lange-Bertalot
Gomphonema truncatum Ehrenberg
Gryosigma acuminatum (Kützing) Rabenhorst
Gyrosigma nodiferum (Grunow) Reimer
Hannaea arcus (Ehrenberg) Patrick
Melosira varians Agardh
Meridion circulare (Greville) C.A. Agardh
Meridion circulare var. constrictum (Ralfs) Van Heurck
Navicula angusta Grunow
Navicula atomus (Kützing) Grunow
Navicula bacillum Ehrenberg
Navicula capitata Ehrenberg
Navicula capitatoradiata Germain
Navicula concentrica Carter
Navicula costulata Grunow in Cleve & Grunow
Navicula cryptocephala Kützing
Navicula cryptotenella Lange-Bertalot
Navicula elginensis (Gregory) Ralfs in Pritchard
Navicula gregaria Donkin
Navicula halophila (Grunow) Cleve
Navicula lanceolata (Agardh) Ehrenberg
Navicula menisculus Schumann
Navicula pseudoscutiformis Hustedt
Navicula pupula Kützing
Navicula radiosa Kützing
Navicula recens (Lange-Bertalot) Lange-Bertalot
Navicula reinhardtii (Grunow) Grunow in Cleve & Moller
Navicula rhynchocephala Kützing
Navicula saprophila Lange-Bertalot & Bonik
Navicula spp
Navicula submuralis Hustedt
Navicula subtilissima Cleve
Navicula tripunctata (O.F.Muller) Bory
Nitzschia dissipata (Kützing) Grunow
21
4
2
14
44
28
12
14
8
10
4
20
2
2
20
4
14
2
4
2
4
2
2
90
2
2
2
12
88
2
4
26
2
8
2
8
20
2
20
6
2
16
6
56
2
14
10
12
50
68
94
2
6
36
2
2
42
4
50
22
4
4
4
6
6
2
2
16
44
2
66
30
64
4
4
2
6
2
4
18
4
26
2
2
26
80
Phylum
Taxon
% Frequency
Nitzschia fonticola Grunow
Nitzschia linearis (Agardh) W. Smith
Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith
Nitzschia recta Hantzsch
Nitzschia sp
Peronia fibula (Brébisson ex Kützing) Ross
Pinnularia appendiculata (Agardh) Cleve
Pinnularia borealis Ehrenberg
Pinnularia spp
Pinnularia subcapitata Gregory
Pinnularia subrostrata (A. Cleve) Cleve-Euler
Reimeria sinuata (Gregory) Kociolek & Stoermer
Rhoicosphenia abbreviata (C. Agardh) Lange-Bertalot
Stephanodiscus hantzschii Grunow
Stephanodiscus sp
Surirella angusta Kützing
Surirella brebissonii Krammer & Lange-Bertalot
Surirella sp
Synedra ulna Ehrenberg
Tabellaria fenestrata (Lyngbye) Kützing
Tabellaria flocculosa (Roth) Kützing
Tetracyclus emarginatus (Ehrenberg) W.Smith
22
6
18
78
8
2
2
6
2
4
6
4
70
28
4
2
18
38
2
66
12
54
4
23