Using macroinvertebrates as indicator of water quality in streams at different landuses in Bau, Sarawak

Sharmila Devi, Valaitham (2009) Using macroinvertebrates as indicator of water quality in streams at different landuses in Bau, Sarawak. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

PDF (Please get the password by email to repository@unimas.my , or call ext: 3914 / 3942 / 3933) SHARMILA DEVI VALAITHAM (fulltext).pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (4MB)

Abstract

Species diversity of macroinvertebrate at four different landuses, namely, oil palm plantation, pig farming, settlement area and a relatively pristine stream was determined. The categories of water quality of the streams were evaluated by using macroinvertebrates as the indicator. This study used Average Score Per Taxon as the biological index, that was calculated based on tolerance values developed in Thailand. Environmental variables such as water temperature, orthophosphate, nitrate, water current, total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen were significantly correlated with the abundance of macroinvertebrates. In total, 6,910 individuals comprising 61 families and 17 orders of macroinvertebrates were recorded from the four different land uses. Oil palm plantation has the highest taxa with 46 families, followed by relatively pristine stream with 38 families and stream in settlement area with 24 families. Stream in pig farming has the lowest taxa with 14 families. Environmental and species variables were correlated with type of land use. Canonical Correspondence Analysis signified that biological indicator have showed pig farming was moderately polluted, streams flow through oil palm plantation and settlement area have moderately clean water, whereas upstream categorized as clean.

Actions (For repository members only: login required)

View Item