Project Page Views: [ 769 ]
Project Metadata Element | Details |
Project Title | Relationship between Biological Quality Index and Fish Stocks in Rivers |
Research Area | Water |
Project Acronym | |
Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Trevor Champ |
Lead Institution or Organisation | Central Fisheries Board |
Lead Country | Ireland |
Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.46956, -6.21591 |
Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
Approximate Project Start Date | 01/11/2000 |
Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/01/2006 |
Project Website (if any) | |
Links to other Web-based resources | |
Project Keywords | Rivers; Biological Quality Index; Fish Stock |
Project Abstract | Water quality in Ireland has been assessed for nearly three decades by the EPA primarily on the basis of biological communities. The EPA quality rating system (Q-values) facilitates rapid and effective assessment of the water quality of rivers and streams. Good quality is indicated by Q5, Q4-5 and Q4. Some impairment is evident at Q4, the ecological conditions at such locations are considered to be acceptable to salmonids. However, this is an assumed relationship based on visual observations. The project will test this hypothesis and produce a robust statistical model correlating the existing quality rating system and fish community structure. It will also be necessary to broaden the model to incorporate other quality elements (e.g. flow, depth, stream bed type etc.) for classification of 'ecological status' required by the EU Water framework Directive. The aims are: To develop a protocol for assessing the status of riverine fish stocks by establishing a relationship between fish stocks and the EPA's Q-rating system. To develop a predictive model for the composition, abundance and age structure of the fish fauna based on a. The physical and hydrological environment b. Environmental variables (nutrient concentration, DO etc.) c. Faunal and floral communitiesd Q-values. |