Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2026

Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Are trophic and diversity indices based on macrophyte communities pertinent tools to monitor water quality?
Gabrielle Thiebaut1, François Guérold, Serge Muller
1University of Metz, UFR Sci F. A., UPRES Ecotoxicité, Biodiversité et Santé Environnementale, France. thiebaut@sciences.univ-metz.fr
Abstract:
Diversity and trophic indices based on macrophyte communities were calculated to test their pertinence to monitoring water quality in the Northern Vosges (NE of France). Highly significant correlations were found between the four tested chemical variables (bicarbonate, calcium, phosphorus and ammonium nitrogen) and trophic indices and between them and abundance and richness. Trophic indices and McIntosh's index appeared to be more effective in predicting water quality than diversity indices. Diversity indices do not necessarily provide any direct information on the quality or degree of degradation of the environment from which the sample was taken, whereas trophic indices do.
Related Concept Videos
What is an Ecosystem?
What is Biodiversity?
Microbial Growth Measurement: Indirect Methods
Introduction to Microbial Ecology
Methods to Assess Microbial Communities
Freshwater Microbial Ecology

