Page 267 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

There are a considerable number of indices available, and The corollary, that the impact of one environmental
this chapter provides an overview of the range and diversity pressure can be mitigated by reducing other unrelated
of the issues targeted. Some are designed to solve a specific pressures, is not widely recognised.
need and others have a broader application. Variations on
these are being developed around the world and for specific Chapter 6 reviews the use of this information to inform
river basins and applications. However, the core principles water resources strategies, comply with national and
are common and access to this information may prevent international legal obligations, for statutory reporting, and
duplication of effort and could speed up the adaptation of to drive improvement programmes. Reporting and public
methods to suit new situations. Be careful not to fall into the access to high quality information is critical to effective water
common traps and potential misuse of these useful tools. resource regulation, effective protection, and improvement
programmes.
There are a number of powerful data analysis tools available,
some very powerful with complex underlying statistics Interventions need to be evidence led and targeted to
and mathematical analysis. Many are in the public domain ensure maximum environmental outcomes, through the
and can be utilised by regulators, research groups, and most effective improvement programmes. Monitoring
individuals. However, they are only as good as the data programmes and data analysis, to provide high quality
input and must be used by informed and competent information, are a critical component of water resource
aquatic ecologists who understand the complexities of protection and improvement.
environmental interactions.

Finally, invertebrates respond to the integrated effect of all
environmental pressures (both natural and anthropogenic)
and it is impossible to apportion impact to individual
pressures unless an environmental pressure is so severe
that it is overwhelming. This will increasingly be the case as
gross pressures are eliminated by environmental regulation.

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