Rapid assessment of rivers using macroinvertebrates: A procedure based on habitat‐specific sampling, family level identification and a biotic index

Abstract This paper describes a simple and inexpensive procedure for the rapid biological assessment of water quality in rivers and streams in eastern Australia. The procedure involves the standardized collection of samples of 100 macroinvertebrates from defined habitat types within a water body. Specimens are identified to family level only and a biotic index is calculated. Proposed future testing and evaluation are described, and the limitations of the rapid approach are discussed.