Appendix 1. Macroinvertebrate metrics used in several other studies that developed multimetric
indices (MMIs) and the 37 specific metrics tested (*) in this study. More than one variant of a metric
(number in parentheses) was sometimes calculated, i.e. % dominance based on different numbers of
taxa or use of different tolerance value thresholds to define intolerant or tolerant taxa. We also
tested a few other metrics that were not listed in the cited sources but that we considered to have
potential for use in MMIs (-). RA = relative abundance of individuals. EPT = Ephemeroptera,
Plecoptera and Trichoptera.
Source
Percent
of 12
sources
Tested
here
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11
66.7
*
EPT taxa richness
1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12
50.0
*
Ephemeroptera taxa richness
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
58.3
*
Trichoptera taxa richness
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
50.0
*
Plecoptera taxa richness
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
58.3
*
Chironomidae taxa richness
1
8.3
Crustacea-Mollusca taxa richness
1
8.3
1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12
66.7
RA of EPT
2, 7
16.7
Total abundance
4, 8
16.7
RA of Ephemeroptera
2, 10
16.7
*
RA of Plecoptera
5
8.3
*
RA of Trichoptera
6
8.3
*
RA of Oligochaeta
8
8.3
*
RA of non-insect
3, 6, 7, 9
33.3
*
RA of Diptera
1
8.3
*
RA of Chironomidae
-
-
*
11
8.3
*
Metric
Richness metrics
Taxa richness
Assemblage composition metrics
RA of dominant 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 taxa
RA of Elmidate
*(5)
RA of Crustacea-Mollusca
1
8.3
RA of Corbicula
8
8.3
*
EPT/(Chironomidae + Oligochaeta)
-
-
*
Intolerant taxa richness
2, 4
16.7
*(2)
RA of tolerant taxa
2, 4
16.7
*(2)
5, 7, 10
25.0
*
3, 12
16.7
*(2)
Florida Biotic Index
1
8.3
RA of intolerant taxa
3
8.3
Sediment intolerant taxa richness
4
8.3
Intolerant snail-mussels richness
8
8.3
Macroinvertebrate tolerance index
9
8.3
Biotic condition index
6
8.3
5, 6, 12
25.0
2
8.3
*
1, 8
16.7
*
1, 2, 3, 8
33.3
*
Collector-filterer taxa richness
9
8.3
*
Predator taxa richness
3
8.3
*
RA of predators
7, 8, 11
25.0
*
RA of omnivores
8
8.3
2, 5, 12
25.0
2, 10
16.7
RA of burrowers
7
8.3
Semivoltine taxa richness
6
8.3
Long-lived taxa richness
-
-
Tolerance metrics
Hilsenhoff Index
Tolerant taxa richness
*(2)
Feeding group metrics
Scraper taxa richness
RA of scrapers
RA of shredders
RA of collector-filterers
Habit/life cycle metrics
Clinger taxa richness
RA of clingers
*
*
Sources
1. Barbour, M.T., Gerritsen, J., Griffith, G.E., Frydenborg, R., Mccarron, E.,
White, J.S. & Bastian, M.L. (1996) A framework for biological criteria for
Florida streams using benthic macroinvertebrates. Journal North American
Benthological Society, 15, 185–211.
2. Barbour, M.T., Gerritsen, J., Snyder, B.D. & Stribling, J.B. (1999) Rapid
Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Rivers: Periphyton,
Benthic, Macroinvertebrates, and Fish. Vol. EPA 841-B-99-002. United
States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC,
USA
3. California Department of Fish and Game. (2003). California stream
bioassessment procedure. Aquatic Bioassessment Lab, 2005 Nimbus Road,
Rancho Cordova, CA.
4. Fore, L.S., Karr, J.R. & Wisseman, R.W. (1996) Assessing invertebrates
responses to human activities: evaluating alternative approaches. Journal
North American Benthological Society, 15, 212–231.
5. Grafe, C. S. (2002) Idaho small stream ecological assessment framework: an
integrated approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, ID
USA.
6. Hargett, E.G. & Zumberge, J.R. (2006). Redevelopment of the Wyoming
stream integrity index (WSII) for assessing the biological condition of
wadeable streams in Wyoming. Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality, Water Quality Division, Herschler Building 4W, 122 W. 25th St.,
Cheyenne, WY USA
7. Jessup, B., C.P. Hawkins, and J. Stribling. 2006. Biological indicators of
stream condition in Montana using benthic macroinvertebrates. Montana
Department of Environmental Quality, Helena, Montana, USA.
8. Kerans, B.L. & Karr, J.R. (1994) A benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) for
rivers of the Tennessee Valley. Ecological Applications, 4, 768–785.
9. Klemm, D.J., Blocksom, K.A., Fulk, F.A., Herlihy, A.T., Hughes, R.M.,
Kaufmann, P.R., Peck, D.V., Stoddard, J.L., Thoeny, W.T., Griffith, M.B. &
Davis, W.S. (2003) Development and evaluation of a macroinvertebrate
biotic integrity index (MBII) for regionally assessing mid-Atlantic
highlands streams. Environmental Management, 31, 656–669.
10.
Maxted, J.R., Barbour, M.T., Gerritsen, J. & Poretti, V. (2000) Assessment
framework for mid-Atlantic coastal plain streams using benthic
macroinvertebrates. Journal North American Benthological Society, 19,
128–144.
11.
Royer, T.V., Robinson, C.T., & Minshall, G. W. (2001). Development of
macroinvertebrate-based index for bioassessment of Idaho rivers.
Environmental Management 27,627–636.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2006) The Wadeable
Streams Assessment: a collaborative survey of the Nation’s streams. EPA-841B-06-002. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington,
DC, USA