AusRivAS Freshwater Biological Monitoring

The AusRivAS (Australian River Assessment Scheme) model protocol uses in-stream biota to assess the ecological health of segments fo rivers and streams, It ustilises rapid sampling techniques for the development of predictive models for macroinvertebrate communities within each state/territory, using a 'reference' site database. Comparisons can be made between predicted and observed taxonomic compositions of macroinvertebrate communities in different habitats at a site in order to indicate the presence and magnitude of an impact on the site's ecological health. Biological responses to changes in water quality and/or habitat condition in rivers can be assessed. The protocol can be integrated with the existing network of physico-chemical water quality monitoring sites.

The physical assessment protocol associated with AusRivAS is described separately.

• To use a standardised method to monitor and assess the ecological condition of Australia's rivers.

For each test site:

• O/E FAMILIES (an index incorporating the number of observed families to the number of expected families)
• O/E SIGNAL (an index which incorporates the tolerances of different macroinvertebrate  families to common types of water pollution)
• Band for each index which compares the index value at a test site to the reference condition.

• To assess the effectiveness of current management practices.
• To provide better ecological and hydrological data on which to base management decisions.
• Impact assessments, licence conditions and monitoring.
• Condition and trend reporting
• Biodiversity and biogeographic studies.
• Catchment planning and management.
• Community based baseline monitoring, monitoring performance of rehabilitation works and catchment management and planning.

• Allows direct temporal and spatial comparisons of data.
• Allows sites to be compared with existing Monitoring River Health Initiative (MRHI) and First National Assessment of River Health (FNARH) sites.
• Quality assurance is achieved through training and accreditation.

• Other methods may be more appropriate for small scale and specific issues.
• Problems occur associated with the standard protocols where less than 100 animals are collected from a sample, at least for certain habitat types in turbid conditions.

The structure of plant and animal communities can give an accurate picture of the condition or health of waterways.

Field sheets, dedicated database, macroinvertebrate sampling, water quality sampling and habitat assessment equipment, trained users, access to a laboratory for macroinvertebrate sample processing and to the AusRivAS model.

The sampling protocol for Queensland requires a minimum of two sample sets in one year; in the early wet and in the late wet.  However a fast turnaround of results is possible.

Site description, water quality samples, macroinvertebrate samples, habitat assessment data, reach observations including longitudinal and cross sectional profile sketches.

Users of the method must be trained and accredited. The results are useful for catchment managers, natural resource managers, community groups and government agencies.

Department of Natural Resources and Mines. (2002). Australia-Wide Assessment of River Health: Queensland AusRivAS Sampling and Processing Manual, Monitoring River Heath Initiative Technical Report no 12. Commonwealth of Australia and Qld Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Canberra and Rocklea.
Chessman, B.C. (1995) Rapid assessment of rivers using macroinvertebrates: A procedure based on habitat-specific sampling, family level identification and a biotic index. Australian journal of ecology. Vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 122-129.