Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) Analysis: A Comparative Study between Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers, Upolu Island, Samoa
Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) Analysis: A Comparative Study between Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers, Upolu Island, Samoa作者机构:Department of Science National University of Samoa Apia Samoa Office of The Vice Chancellor National University of Samoa Apia Samoa Department of Information Technology and Systems National University of Samoa Apia Samoa
出 版 物:《Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection》 (地球科学和环境保护期刊(英文))
年 卷 期:2024年第12卷第8期
页 面:149-167页
主 题:Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) Water Quality
摘 要:The diversity of Samoa’s freshwater macroinvertebrates remains largely unexplored, with past studies focusing on specific species without comprehensive cataloguing. This research evaluated the health of Upolu Island’s rural rivers through macroinvertebrate analysis, particularly in the Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers. Collaborating with Samoa’s Water Resources Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), three sites along each river were sampled, representing a gradient from pristine to anthropogenically impacted areas. A total of 2953 macroinvertebrates were collected and classified into five categories using established identification keys. The Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) were applied for analysis. The results showed no clear pattern of pollutant-sensitive species prevalence or decline in less disturbed rivers. High MCI scores with low QMCI values indicated numerous low-scoring species, while the opposite suggested a richness of high-scoring taxa. Although MCI and QMCI are tools for monitoring freshwater health, this study lays the groundwork for future research to categorize Samoan macroinvertebrates and assign tolerance scores based on their presence in varying river conditions. .