Il’ja Krno

The STAR project: context, objectives and approaches

STAR is a European Commission Framework V project (EVK1-CT-2001-00089). The project aim is to provide practical advice and solutions with regard to many of the issues associated with the Water Framework Directive. This paper provides a context for the STAR research programme through a review of the requirements of the directive and the Common Implementation Strategy responsible for guiding its implementation. The scientific and strategic objectives of STAR are set out in the form of a series of research questions and the reader is referred to the papers in this volume that address those objectives, which include: (a) Which methods or biological quality elements are best able to indicate certain stressors? (b) Which method can be used on which scale? (c) Which method is suited for early and late warnings? (d) How are different assessment methods affected by errors and uncertainty? (e) How can data from different assessment methods be intercalibrated? (f) How can the cost-effectiveness of field and laboratory protocols be optimised? (g) How can boundaries of the five classes of Ecological Status be best set? (h) What contribution can STAR make to the development of European standards? The methodological approaches adopted to meet these objectives are described. These include the selection of the 22 stream-types and 263 sites sampled in 11 countries, the sampling protocols used to sample and survey phytobenthos, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, fish and hydromorphology, the quality control and uncertainty analyses that were applied, including training, replicate sampling and audit of performance, the development of bespoke software and the project outputs. This paper provides the detailed background information to be referred to in conjunction with most of the other papers in this volume. These papers are divided into seven sections: (1) typology, (2) organism groups, (3) macrophytes and diatoms, (4) hydromorphology, (5) tools for assessing European streams with macroinvertebrates, (6) intercalibration and comparison and (7) errors and uncertainty. The principal findings of the papers in each section and their relevance to the Water Framework Directive are synthesised in short summary papers at the beginning of each section. Additional outputs, including all sampling and laboratory protocols and project deliverables, together with a range of freely downloadable software are available from the project website at www.eu_star.at.

Influence of seasonal variation on bioassessment of streams using macroinvertebrates

The EU Water Framework Directive requires assessment of the ecological quality of running waters using macroinvertebrates. One of the problems of obtaining representative samples of organisms from streams is the choice of sampling date, as the scores obtained from macroinvertebrate indices vary naturally between seasons, confounding the detection of anthropogenic environmental change. We investigated this problem in a 4th order calcareous stream in the western Carpathian Mountains of central Europe, the Stupavský potok brook. We divided our 100 m study site into two stretches and took two replicate samples every other month alternately from each stretch for a period of 1 year, sampling in the months of February, April, June, August, October and December. Multivariate analysis of the macroinvertebrate communities (PCA) clearly separated the samples into three groups: (1) April samples (2) June and August samples (3) October, December and February samples. Metric scores were classified into two groups those that were stable with respect to sampling month, and those that varied. Of the metrics whose values increase with amount of allochthonous organic material (ALPHA_MESO, hyporhithral, littoral, PASF, GSI new, DSI, CSI), the highest scores occurred in February, April, October and December, while for metrics whose values decrease with content of organic material (DSII, DIS, GFI D05, PORI, RETI, hypocrenal, metarhithral, RP, AKA, LITHAL, SHRED, HAI) the highest values occurred in February, April, June and December. We conclude that sampling twice a year, in early spring and late autumn, is appropriate for this type of metarhithral mountain stream. Sampling in summer is less reliable due to strong seasonal influences on many of the metrics examined while sampling in winter is inappropriate for logistical reasons.

The paleolimnological analysis of sediments from high mountain lake Nižné Terianske pleso in the High Tatras (Slovakia)

Sedimentological climate proxies and a 200-year long climate record, reconstructed using a data-set of European-wide meteorological data, have been compared at the high mountain lake Nižné Terianske pleso in the High Tatras, Slovakia. Diatoms, chrysophyte stomatocysts, chironomids, plant pigments and spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) were analysed as well as sediment lithostratigraphic parameters. Using a radiometric approach the sediment core was dated and a depth of 4.6 cm was found to correspond to 1852 AD. The sediment accumulation rate (0.0034 g·cm−2·yr−1) was one of the lowest identified in the European mountain lake project, MOLAR. Despite this slow accumulation rate a remarkably coherent lithological and stratigraphic record has been recovered. The sediments of this remote mountain site, largely free from the effects of direct human impact, have been found to display a wealth of variability over the last 200 years.The record of spheroidal carbonaceous particles, indicators of anthropogenic pollution deposition, begins around 4.5–5.0 cm in depth (1833–1857). Temporal patterns are typical of European lake sites with the concentration peaking in the late 1970s. The SCP/210Pb inventory ratio for the site is also in good agreement with the European latitudinal pattern. A strong influence of sample age on the chrysophyte assemblage composition in the upper-most 4–6 cm indicates that the main changes in the cysts have been related to long term environmental changes, probably pH. Analysis of chironomid remains revealed a stable profundal community. Chironomids as a whole showed no correlations to temperature fluctuations in the last 200 years. Relatively abundant remains of Diamesa sp. head capsules and other taxa closely associated with stream conditions in the older layers contrast with the absence of Diamesa sp. in the recent sediments. This change is considered to be evidence for the existence of a stronger, more stable inlet supplied from permanent granular snow fields in the lake basin. The most important changes in diatom assemblages were observed at 3cm. Many species of the genus Achnanthes spp. together with Navicula schmassmannii and Orthoseira roeseana made up the greatest part of the diatom community above 3 cm, being absent or rare lower in the record. A positive correlation between diatoms and mean summer temperature was found.

Influence of macroinvertebrate sample size on bioassessment of streams

In order to standardise biological assessment of surface waters in Europe, a standardised method for sampling, sorting and identification of benthic macroinvertebrates in running waters was developed during the AQEM project. The AQEM method has proved to be relatively time-consuming. Hence, this study explored the consequences of a reduction in sample size on costs and bioassessment results. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from six different streams: four streams located in the Netherlands and two in Slovakia. In each stream 20 sampling units were collected with a pond net (25×25 cm), over a length of approximately 25 cm per sampling unit, from one or two habitats dominantly present. With the collected data, the effect of increasing sample size on variability and accuracy was examined for six metrics and a multimetric index developed for the assessment of Dutch slow running streams. By collecting samples from separate habitats it was possible to examine whether the coefficient of variation (CV; measure of variability) and the mean relative deviation from the “reference” sample (MRD; measure of accuracy) for different metrics depended only on sample size, or also on the type of habitat sampled. Time spent on sample processing (sorting and identification) was recorded for samples from the Dutch streams to assess the implications of changes in sample size on the costs of sample processing. Accuracy of metric results increased and variability decreased with increasing sample size. Accuracy and variability varied depending on the habitat and the metric, hence sample size should be based on the specific habitats present in a stream and the metric(s) used for bioassessment. The AQEM sampling method prescribes a multihabitat sample of 5 m. Our results suggest that a sample size of less than 5 m is adequate to attain a CV and MRD of ≤10% for the metrics ASPT (Average Score per Taxon), Saprobic Index and type Aka+Lit+Psa (%) (the percentage of individuals with a preference for the akal, littoral and psammal). The metrics number of taxa, number of individuals and EPT-taxa (%) required a multihabitat sample size of more than 5 m to attain a CV and MRD of ≤ 10%. For the metrics number of individuals and number of taxa a multihabitat sample size of 5 m is not even adequate to attain a CV and MRD of ≤ 20%. Accuracy of the multimetric index for Dutch slow running streams can be increased from ≤ 20 to ≤ 10% with an increase in labour time of 2 h. Considering this low increase in costs and the possible implications of incorrect assessment results it is recommended to strive for this ≤ 10% accuracy. To achieve an accuracy of ≤ 10% a multihabitat sample of the four habitats studied in the Netherlands would require a sample size of 2.5 m and a labour time of 26 h (excluding identification of Oligochaeta and Diptera) or 38 h (including identification of Oligochaeta and Diptera).

Littoral benthic macroinvertebrates of mountain lakes in the Tatra Mountains (Slovakia, Poland)

Littoral benthic macroinvertebrates of 45 mountain lakes in the Tatra Mountains were sampled using a semi-quantitative method in September 2000. A total of 32,852 specimens were identified to 93 taxa belonging to 14 higher taxonomic groups. Multivariate statistics (CCA, RDA) and nine biotic metrics (AQEM/STAR) were used to explain relationships between macroinvertebrate assemblages and environmental variables. Up to 57% of the ecological position of littoral macroinvertebrate assemblages were explained by variance of environmental variables divided into chemical, trophic, physical, catchment and location. Five types of Tatra lakes were recognized using CCA: A — strongly acidified lakes (small catchment, low pH, high concentration of TP, DOC, highest amount of POM in littoral); B — alpine acidified lakes (low amount of POM, low values of biotic metrics); C — alpine non-acidified lakes (high value of diversity index, predominance of Diptera); D — subalpine acidified lakes (high values of biotic metrics: number of families, proportion of crenal and rhithral taxa/total taxa); E — subalpine non-acidified lakes (high values of biotic metrics: number of families, number of genera, BMWP score, number of taxa and abundance of EPT taxa). RDA was used to design five levels of macroinvertebrate taxa acidification tolerance. The Tatra Acidification Index (TAI) was established to assess the acidification status of the lakes in the Tatra Mts.

Impact of human activities on stonefly (Insecta, Plecoptera) ecological metrics in the Hron River (Slovakia)

A total of 57 stonefly species have been recorded in the Hron River. The natural gradient (slope and stream width) and pollution gradient of the river were defined using CCA based on physical, chemical and stonefly data. Stonefly metrics (abundance, richness/diversity, sensitivy/tolerance and functional metrics) were used to estimate the quality of the Hron River and the degree of proximity to its natural state. Similar results were obtained using two different methods. The first method was based on the homogeneity of variance and the interquartile range of different groups of stretches of the Hron River and the second was based on deviations from the expected values of biological metrics in a given stretch of the river. These values continuously decreased with increasing distance from the spring area, with the exception of the saprobic index, which increased in a downstream direction, and the stonefly average score, which did not change significantly along the whole river flow. The Stonefly Average Score (SAS) metric is universal for a variety of habitats such as the Hron River upstream and downstream, and is a reliable indicator of water quality and the natural course of a stream.

Macrozoobenthos of two different catchment areas of the tatra mountain lakes with a special reference on the effects of acidification

The structure of macrozoobenthos of two different high-mountain Tatra lakes, namely Starolesnianske pleso (strongly acidified) and Nižné Terianske pleso (reference site) is described. The latter is characterised by a large catchment and total area, and is relatively deep with strong inlet and outlet. It is not affected by acidification. Univoltine species of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies dominate in the littoral, mainly scrapers. Predators are represented by stoneflies. Shredders dominate in the lake outlet. From the zoogeographic point of view, Carpathian endemites and Central European species prevail. Forty percent of species are sensitive to acidification. The former has a smaller catchment and total area, and is relatively shallow, without inlet. It is strongly affected by acidification. Semivoltine species, mainly predators (beetles) and shredders prevail. From the zoogeographic point of view Palaearctic species dominate. Species sensitive to acidification are missing. Emergence of water insects has two peaks during spring and fall circulation.

The adult diet of Xanthoperla apicalis and Siphonoperla torrentium (Plecoptera, Chloroperlidae) in the Danube basin (Slovakia)

The gut contents of adult Xanthoperla apicalis and Siphonoperla torrentium were analysed. X. apicalis females eat mainly pollen, while males feed principally on detritus and pollen. Adults of S. torrentium, regardless of sex, eat mainly pollen. The presence of animal remains (claws and leg and antennae segments of Arthropoda) in the gut of several individuals of both species was observed and discussed.

Macrodistributions and microdistributions of stoneflies of calcareous submontane rivers of the West Carpathians, with different land cover

Stonefly samples were collected from disturbed and undisturbed regions of two river basins, tributaries of the Upper Váh River basin (the West Carpathians). Water temperature, oxygen content, coarse benthic matter and some stonefly metrics (abundance, biomass, richness, index of diversity, % predators, % shredders, stonefly total score and stonefly average score) were all negatively influenced by the extent of urban and field land cover. Rivers with a high proportion of human land-use activities were positively correlated with fine benthic organic matter and the share of collector-gatherers and saprobic indices (organic pollution), as well as with a higher trophic status of streams. Taxa of different species groups or genera have different demands for microhabitats. The cumulative curve of stonefly distribution in microhabitats of the river bed has, in the Ĺubochnianka River, an exponential form (reflecting an increase in stonefly density on coarse substrata and moss). In the human-influenced Revúca River, the curves form is logarithmic, representing a reverse trend.

Effects of land use on stonefly bioassessment metrics

Stonefly samples were collected from disturbed and undisturbed streams of the Upper Orava river basin (the West Carpathians). Taxonomic richness was associated mainly with environment-scale factors such as water temperature, stream width and channel slope. Patterns in composition of stonefly assemblages detected by non-metric multidimensional scaling show that alterations in the catchment area caused by agriculture or forestry affect a number of stonefly metrics. Stonefly taxa richness and other biotic indices reflecting good water quality were negatively influenced by the extent of urban land cover and positively by forest land cover.