Identification of Macroinvertebrate Samples as Part of River Health Assessment

The Department of Water is investing significant effort to increase its understanding of river processes incorporating increased diversity of information to assess river health, including analysis of chemical, biological and physical components of the environment. River condition assessments underpin decisions about restoration work required in catchments and also provide resource condition statements for use in allocation planning. The Water Science Branch uses various river heath indicators and techniques to assess a system’s ecological integrity and resistance to disturbance, one of which is macroinvertebrates. The Branch is continuing to expand its River Health assessment work and therefore has a need for identification of macroinvertebrate samples collected from a range of rivers and drains across Western Australia.