Biomonitoring and bioassessment of running water quality in developing countries: A case study from Egypt

Abstract

Designing successful biomonitoring and bioassessment programs are an important basis for the rehabilitation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Developed countries have great progress in this regard, meanwhile, developing countries still have much to do to improve the ecological status of their aquatic systems. Many shortages and deficits are common in the developing countries, among them is the development of comprehensive and coherent bioassessment program. Researchers in many developing countries, as in Egypt, apply biotic indices primarily established in the developed countries, sometimes they develop their own ones, but to date, they are still unable to make a noticeable progress in their water quality. This review aims to evaluate biomonitoring and bioassessment attempts and reappraising the application of both national and foreign developed biotic indices. Their deficits and shortages are clarified and discussed with some recommendations.

Keywords

• River Nile
• Lotic Systems
• Biotic Indices
• Biological Quality Elements
• Macroinvertebrates
• Diatoms