Resources

Phytobenthos are good indicators of nutrient enrichment and can be used to assess lake water quality. Diatoms are the main plant groups that we use because their silica cell walls make them easy to identify under the microscope.

Publication Date: 
14-January-2015
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG

This method statement describes a system for assessing and classifying surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal) based on the presence of high impact alien species.

Publication Date: 
17-July-2014
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG

Macrophytes provide habitats for fish and smaller animals; they bind sediments, protect banks, absorb nutrients and provide oxygenation. Macrophytes can indicate the impact of increased nutrients in lakes and are also influenced by other pressures such as water level change or acidification.

Publication Date: 
16-July-2014
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG

Phytoplankton form the base of many food webs in lakes. This method uses the principle that an increase in nutrients (particularly phosphorus) leads to an increase in phytoplankton biomass and a change in the taxonomic composition, often leading to an increased occurrence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

Publication Date: 
03-July-2014
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG

Aquatic benthic invertebrates, of which chironomids are the largest family, are good indicators of nutrient enrichment and can be used to assess lake water quality. Passively drifting pupal skins accumulating at the lake leeward shore are easily collected.

Publication Date: 
01-December-2008
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG
Benthic invertebrate communities are good indicators of acidification which is caused by acidic pollution from precipitation and acids leaching from the surrounding soils. Benthic invertebrates are easily suited to biological monitoring as they are common, widespread and easily sampled.
Publication Date: 
01-December-2008
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG

Macrophytes provide habitats for fish and smaller animals; they bind sediments, protect banks, absorb nutrients and provide oxygenation. Macrophytes can indicate the impact of increased nutrients in lakes and are also influenced by other pressures such as water level change or acidification.

Publication Date: 
01-December-2008
Advisory Group: 
UKTAG