Tools for ecological engineering: diagnoses and functional biomonitoring of rivers

Abstract

Restoration of freshwater ecosystems requires a better understanding of hydrosystem function. The EASY concept assumes that the biocenoses are strongly related to the organic and mineral inputs and to the assimilation ability. These biological processes stay into some Functional Units composing the river mosaic. Functional Traits are examined by means of benthic and hyporheic invertebrate assemblages. A predictive tool is implemented with respect of the tolerance of Chironomidae to toxic pollution. Qualitative indexes appear useful and even better predictive as soon as they are gathered into a harmonisation system. Our present objectives are to make up tools for functional biomonitoring, at the scale of a basin, able to fulfill the WFD challenge of remediation.