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<br />Water quality impairment indicator groups
<br />
<br />The presence, absence or relative dominance of a particular taxon or group of
<br />taxa can provide information on the relative water quality at a site. Taxa were
<br />labeled as pollution intolerant if they are known to occur primarily in unpolluted
<br />waters. Pollution tolerant taxa are those known to be tolerant of fine sediment,
<br />high water temperatures, or high organic loads. Tolerance values are shown in
<br />the life history table.
<br />
<br />Pollution Intolerant taxa
<br />Intolerant mayflies - Mayflies are common in most waters and several taxa are ultra
<br />sensitive to fine sediment, low dissolved oxygen, or high water temperatures. The
<br />major pollution intolerant famlies are Ephemerellidae, Heptageniidae, and some
<br />Baetidae.
<br />
<br />Intolerant stoneflies - Most stoneflies are sensitive to changes in substrate
<br />composition, water temperature, and retention of coarse organic matter (CPOM,
<br />leaves, twigs). pteronarcys is a common stonefly which lives longer than 1 year
<br />and is sensitive to changes in substrate and CPOM retention. Nemouridae are
<br />common shredder stoneflies that are intolerant of organic loading and fine sediment.
<br />
<br />Intolerant caddis flies - Intolerant caddisflies include the families Arctopsychidae,
<br />Glossosomatidae, Philopotamidae, Psychomyiidae, and many Rhyacophilidae and
<br />Limnephilidae. These families are widely distributed in most unpolluted waters
<br />and prefer coarse substrates.
<br />
<br />Corydalidae - Helgramites are long lived and sensitive to excessive fine sediment
<br />deposition. Their presence indicates stable good habitat conditions.
<br />
<br />Intolerant dipterans - Non-chironomidae dipterans which are intolerant of habitat
<br />degradation. Taxa include Blephariceridae, Deuterophebiidae, Dixidae,
<br />Pelecorhynchidae.
<br />
<br />Intolerant Chironomidae - Includes members of the subfamilies Prodiamesinae,
<br />Podonominae, and Diamesinae.
<br />
<br />Intolerant molluscs - Hydrobiidae snails and Unionidae mussels have moderate
<br />pollution tolerances.
<br />
<br />Pollution Tolerant taxon
<br />Tolerant mayflies - In contrast to many mayflies these taxa are tolerant of warmer
<br />water, and higher fine sediment orgainc loads. Taxa include Tricorythodes,
<br />Hexagenia, Caenis, Acentrella, and Baetis tricaudatis.
<br />
<br />Tolerant caddisflies - Hydropsyche, Cheumatopsyche, hydroptilids, Helicopsyche,
<br />Hesperophylax, Limnephilus, and some Leptocerids are tolerant of warmer water
<br />and higher fine sediment levels.
<br />
<br />Tolerant beetles - Agabetus, Carabidae, Helichus, Haliplidae, and many psephenids
<br />and elmids are tolerant of warmer water, and higher levels of fine sediment and
<br />nutrient enrichment.
<br />
<br />Tolerant odonates - Most odonates are tolerant of warm water, high nutrients,
<br />fine sediment, and dense communities of filamentous algae.
<br />
<br />Tolerant dipterans - Antocha, Athericidae, ceraptopogonidae, Culicidae,
<br />Dolichopodidae, Empididae, Ephydridae, Muscidae, Psychodidae, Stratimoyidae,
<br />and Tabanidae are families which are typically abundant in waters with low habitat
<br />integrity.
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