Biological Monitoring of Rivers

The invertebrate community present in rivers provides an integrated measure of pollution. We have developed tools based on the invertebrates present to enable the UK environmental agencies to assess the condition of rivers. Recently we have shown how invertebrates can detect metal pollution from abandoned mines, helping the agencies prioritise where mitigation work is needed. Our work on the UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network, assessing the impact of atmospheric pollution on sensitive freshwaters, provides the UK Government with the data needed for international agreements. Our analysis of trends in river biota is now included in the D4 indicator of species abundance, the statutory instrument to measure progress towards the biodiversity targets of the Environment Act 2021.

Warp bubble
River pollution monitoring
Title
Monitoring upland lakes

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