Evaluation of the Use of Some Benthic Macro-invertebrate Multimetric Indices Associations with Environmental Variables in Ecological Assessment of Some Ethiopian Rivers

Authors

  • Gezahegn Degefe Ecological and Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University
  • Girum Tamire
  • Seid Mohammed Hassen Osnabrueck University
  • Abinet Haile Addis Ababa University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/hn.v20i0.16489

Keywords:

Benthic macro invertebrates, Biotic Metrics, Water quality

Abstract

The ecological status of six selected rivers which are found around central Ethiopia and North Shewa Zone and exposed to environmental stresses at varied extent, was studied using biological quality elements (BQE). One thousand one hundred thirty three (1133) individuals of macroinvertebrates, from 22 families and 5 orders of insects, were collected from the rivers. Seven metrics that had low correlation (p>0.05) were selected to calculate the final B-IBI and the result showed that both sites of Akaki, Sebeta and Jemma Rivers had poor water quality whereas Beresa, Chacha and Mojo (upstream site) had relatively better water quality. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that Tabanidae, Syrphidae, Culicidae, and Canidae was more strongly correlated with temperature but strongly and negatively with pH, Dissolve Oxygen (DO) and Nitrate. The result implied that the change in abundance of these groups of macroinvertebrates could indicate the change in pH, DO and Nitrate. pH and DO were significantly (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with % Ephemeroptera and% Baetidae. On the other hand, DO showed strong but negative correlation % Oligochaeta, % Non-Insect and Hillsenhoff Family Biotic Index which implied that that the change in pH and level of organic pollution can be easily monitored using these metrics.

HYDRO Nepal Journal

Journal of Water Energy and Environment

Issue: 20

Page: 49-54

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
845
PDF
1427

Author Biographies

Gezahegn Degefe, Ecological and Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University

Gezahegn Degefe obtained BED in Biology from Alemaya University (2000-2003), MSc in Ecological and Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University (2005-2006) and PhD in Ecological and Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University (2009-2013). He has published in co-author number of papers.

Girum Tamire

Girum Tamire holds BSc in Biology from Bahir Dar University (2002), MSc in fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from Addis Ababa Natural Sciences, Department of Biology (2006) and PhD in fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from Addis Ababa University, Natural Sciences, Department of Biology (2014). He has published in co-author number of papers.



Seid Mohammed Hassen, Osnabrueck University

Seid Mohammed Hassen holds BSc Degree in Biology in 2009 MSc in Genetics from Addis Ababa University in 2013. Since 2015, he is studying PhD in Osnabrueck University, Germany.

Abinet Haile, Addis Ababa University

Abinet Haile holds BSc Degree in Chemistry from Mekele University in 2005 and MSc in Genetics from Addis Ababa University in 2007. Since 2013, he is studying PhD in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Downloads

Published

2017-01-27

How to Cite

Degefe, G., Tamire, G., Hassen, S. M., & Haile, A. (2017). Evaluation of the Use of Some Benthic Macro-invertebrate Multimetric Indices Associations with Environmental Variables in Ecological Assessment of Some Ethiopian Rivers. Hydro Nepal: Journal of Water, Energy and Environment, 20, 49–54. https://doi.org/10.3126/hn.v20i0.16489

Issue

Section

Articles