The impact of livestock-farming on welsh streams: The development and testing of a rapid biological method for use in the assessment and control of organic pollution from farms

摘要: Abstract Organic wastes from intensive agriculture are a major cause of surface-water pollution in Great Britain. There large number possible sources for such pollution, and there is need to target the efforts pollution-control authorities worst-affected parts cacthments. This paper describes development rapid method identification polluted streams based upon macro-invertebrate fauna. An indicator key was developed by TWINSPAN classification data benthic sampling at 55 sites West Wales. The requires assessment abundance four macroinvertebrate taxa extent ‘sewage-fungus’ growth, all which can be determined examination field. separate into three groups representing different levels impact as indicated differences biotic indices chemical data. system tested successfully further 146 Wales resulting notification 49 farms authorities. Non-biologists were able use efficiently after short period training. A test involving 51 Devon that technique may adaptable other It envisaged systems designed suit local fauna have role pro-active strategy combat because they potential advantages over more complex biological methods currently use.