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CHAPTER 2 6 6
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF
RIVPACS SAMPLE COLLECTION
For RIVPACS, all habitats in the sampling area should be sampled in proportion to their cover.
This multi-habitat pro rata approach enables comparable samples to be collected from any type of
river, regardless of the habitats present. Sampling methods used in other countries for WFD status
assessment also follow this approach.
Table 2.3
Training requirements for RIVPACS sample collection
Knowledge required for RIVPACS sample collection
Identification of invertebrate habitats
Knowing how much material to discard in the field to reduce laboratory work without compromising the integrity of the
sample – knowing what to look for in the net
Recognition of species collected in the search
Understanding when you have sampled a particular habitat sufficiently and effectively
Identifying rare species that are to be recorded in the field and returned to the stream
Understanding the protocols for RIVPACS sampling, including collection of environmental parameters
Ecdyonurus sp. nymph
John Davy-Bowker
Hydrometra stagnorum female
John Davy-Bowker
92 | Freshwater Biology and Ecology Handbook
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