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A biologically relevant habitat condition index for streams in northern Portugal

A biologically relevant habitat condition index for streams in northern Portugal 1. This study describes the development of an index for assessing stream habitats in northern Portugal at a variety of spatial scales and levels of perturbation. In developing the index, 86 environmental variables, including regional and local ones, were used to reflect the geomorphological characteristics, riverine habitat, and human activities occurring in each basin. 2. Collections of benthic invertebrates were made at each sample site. To reflect the observed variation in assemblages, the streams were separated into two categories: the North‐west catchments and the Douro catchments. 3. Multivariate analysis techniques applied to the physical and biological data sets allowed the determination of the relative importance of local and regional environmental descriptors in the discrimination of the invertebrate assemblages. 4. Successive statistical refinement procedures yielded 10 variables, all at the local scale. Variation along disturbance gradients allowed the development of a habitat index through scoring criteria that separated reference sites from stressed sites. 5. The results indicate the reduced impact of catchment factors by a buffering influence probably resulting from the presence of a riparian corridor. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Wiley

A biologically relevant habitat condition index for streams in northern Portugal

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References (57)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN
1052-7613
eISSN
1099-0755
DOI
10.1002/aqc.671
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

1. This study describes the development of an index for assessing stream habitats in northern Portugal at a variety of spatial scales and levels of perturbation. In developing the index, 86 environmental variables, including regional and local ones, were used to reflect the geomorphological characteristics, riverine habitat, and human activities occurring in each basin. 2. Collections of benthic invertebrates were made at each sample site. To reflect the observed variation in assemblages, the streams were separated into two categories: the North‐west catchments and the Douro catchments. 3. Multivariate analysis techniques applied to the physical and biological data sets allowed the determination of the relative importance of local and regional environmental descriptors in the discrimination of the invertebrate assemblages. 4. Successive statistical refinement procedures yielded 10 variables, all at the local scale. Variation along disturbance gradients allowed the development of a habitat index through scoring criteria that separated reference sites from stressed sites. 5. The results indicate the reduced impact of catchment factors by a buffering influence probably resulting from the presence of a riparian corridor. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Journal

Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater EcosystemsWiley

Published: Mar 1, 2005

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