Macroinvertebrates

Abstract

Benthic macroinvertebrates are one biological quality element used within the Framework of the European Water Framework Directive (EC, 2000/60; WFD) to assess the ecological water quality and were therefore monitored in all previously conducted Joint Danube Surveys (JDS). The methods applied were differing due to availability of devices, financial issues and the scientific focus. While in JDS1 grabs were used to investigate hard rocky substrates (Literathy et al., 2002), in JDS2 air-lift samples were taken to study the faunal composition of deep water habitats (Liška et al., 2008). During JDS3 a modified Multi-Habitat-Sampling (MHS) approach has been performed to highlight the importance of specific micro-habitats in terms of biodiversity and additionally as a sound basis for river restoration efforts and water management issues in general. The data gained from JDS3 can be seen as an important documentation of the current distribution of specific taxa and a completion regarding faunistics of earlier studies, (Russev, 1998; Slobodnik et al., 2005; Csányi & Paunovic, 2006) and of all previous JDS expeditions. The results will significantly contribute to the currently ongoing discussions regarding the WFD compliant assessment methods of large rivers either for field work as well as the analysing aspects.