Effect of substrate type on diatom-based water quality assessments in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia

摘要: Diatoms have been widely used in stream health assessments as they are highly sensitive to water quality. There is no standardised method for diatom-based causing many substrates, both natural and artificial, be used. Few studies investigated the impact of substrate type on diatom assemblages streams with variable levels. To determine if the affects these assessments, diatoms were analysed from an artificial (rope), rock mud, 17 sites Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Rope has advocated a it mimics aquatic plants, while having advantages substrates (e.g. habitat). We found that did not affect assessment based Diatom Species Index Australian Rivers hence additional cost deploying ropes such unlikely warranted. However, influenced diatom–nutrient relationships, relationship between nutrients mud substrate—possibly due nutrient subsidy provided by mud. Therefore, contrast, absence rope indicates is suited status sensitivity streams.