A proposed method for monitoring river pollution using macrophytes

Abstract

This paper presents a method of assessing the state of a river in relation tc macrophytes. Macrophytes can potentially grow in quantity in most lowland and some hill streams, and can be used tc assess those types of pollution which affect these larger plants. The criteria considered important are species diversity, vegetation cover, trophic status, pollution tolerance and physical damage. These are assessed against the vegetation expected in a similar clean stream under traditional management. An eight point index is giver, for this purpose.