Article (Scientific journals)
Trend analysis in ecological status and macrophytic characterization of watercourses: case of the Semois-Chiers basin, Belgium Wallonia
Sossey Alaoui, Khadija; Rosillon, Francis; Tychon, Bernard
2015In Journal of Water Resource and Protection, Vol.7 No.13 2015
Peer reviewed
 

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Keywords :
Macrophytes; Semois-Chiers basin; WFD; IBMR; Ecological quality
Abstract :
[en] In order to analyze the distribution and evolution of the aquatic vegetation and ecological status of the Semois-Chiers basin (Semois sub-basin and Chiers sub-basin), macrophyte surveys were conducted at 48 sites in 2007 and 2013. Environmental parameters were also measured in order to characterize the waterbodies in terms of physico-chemical properties and anthropogenic pressure. The two-way clustering and indicator value (INDVAL) methods were used to assess groups of sites according to their macrophytic composition and species communities. The results showed a clear difference between streams in the Lorraine area (calcareous watercourses) and in the Ardennes (siliceous). Within each natural region, those with natural vegetation of high ecological status were separated from those dominated by resistant species. The Macrophytical Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR), was calculated for the sites visited in 2010 and 2013 and the results show a trend towards an increase of IBMR values of polluted sites. For the latter, the Wilcoxon test was performed to assess the significance of the difference in quality between 2010 and 2013. This showed a statistically significant difference (p-value= 0.035). Our results showed similarities with previous data, as well as some differences. The differences observed might indicate a gradual change in the composition of the vegetation in the study area, caused by changes in environmental conditions. They could also reflect a lack of information about the ecology of certain groups of plants, mainly bryophytes and macroalgae that were not considered in previous studies. Despite the measures implemented under the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD), the current vegetation of the Semois river differs little from that observed in 1996. There is a slight improvement in the headwaters of a Semois river, described in previous studies as polytrophic and devoid of vegetation, with the appearance of macrophytic species. In some parts of the Chiers sub-basin, however, resistant species observed in 1999 persist.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Sossey Alaoui, Khadija ;  Université de Liège > DER Sc. et gest. de l'environnement (Arlon Campus Environ.) > DER Sc. et gest. de l'environnement (Arlon Campus Environ.)
Rosillon, Francis ;  Université de Liège > DER Sc. et gest. de l'environnement (Arlon Campus Environ.) > DER Sc. et gest. de l'environnement (Arlon Campus Environ.)
Tychon, Bernard ;  Université de Liège > DER Sc. et gest. de l'environnement (Arlon Campus Environ.) > Eau, Environnement, Développement
Language :
English
Title :
Trend analysis in ecological status and macrophytic characterization of watercourses: case of the Semois-Chiers basin, Belgium Wallonia
Publication date :
04 September 2015
Journal title :
Journal of Water Resource and Protection
ISSN :
1945-3094
eISSN :
1945-3108
Publisher :
Scientific Research Pub Inc, Herndon, United States - Virginia
Volume :
Vol.7 No.13 2015
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Available on ORBi :
since 06 September 2015

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