Concepts of hydro-ecology and biological quality of running waters

Abstract

This paper focuses on a brief review of some general principles in freshwater ecology (nutrient cycling, trophic nets). The main effects of human pollution are listed and several simple field methods of pollution effect assessment proposed. The European and French contexts (European framework, SEQ of Water Agencies) stimulate integrated approaches by simultaneously using several standardized biomonitoring indices. Three standardized indices are commonly used in French biomonitoring nets : IBGN (invertebrates), IBD (diatoms) and IOBS (oligochaetes). Two other methods are on the course of standardization (IBMR, macrophytes, and a fish index). Prospects for fundamental and applied researches on the biomonitoring of running waters are also mentioned.