Bahir Dar University

College of Science
Department of Biology

Title: Assessment of the ecological health of Peda Stream using macroinvertebrates

Student Name ID No
1. Nitsuh Demis..........................................................1507459
2. Nebyu Malede........................................................1507422
3. Seid Abdurehman..................................................1507656

Advisor: Workiye Worie (PhD)

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

March, 2026
Introduction
1.1 Background

Streams are smaller flowing water bodies that form the headwaters of river
systems and play a crucial role in local freshwater ecology. They support
diverse aquatic organisms and contribute to nutrient cycling within watersheds.
Due to their small size and close interaction with surrounding land use, streams
are highly sensitive to environmental disturbances. Human activities such as
urban runoff, waste discharge, and land modification can quickly affect stream
ecological condition. Therefore, monitoring stream ecosystems is essential for
understanding freshwater health and guiding conservation efforts.

Freshwater ecosystems are vital components of the landscape, providing

essential services such as clean water, habitat for biodiversity, and recreational
opportunities. However, increasing urbanization, agricultural expansion, and
industrial activities are causing significant degradation to aquatic ecosystems
worldwide, particularly in developing regions. Stream health cannot be
adequately assessed by physico-chemical data, as these only show a “snapshot”
of the water quality at the moment of sampling (source). Therefore,
bioassessment, which uses living organisms to assess the ecosystem, is crucial
for evaluating long-term ecological integrity.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are animals lacking a backbone that live on the

stream bottom, such as insect larvae, snails, and worms. They are considered
one of the most effective, sensitive, and cost-effective bioindicators of stream
health (source) , due to their limited mobility, they allow them to show the
cumulative effects of both short- and long-term pollution events (source).
Different taxa have varying tolerance levels to anthropogenic pressures ; for
example, sensitive organisms like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies (EPT

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taxa) decline in degraded, low-oxygen habitats, while pollution-tolerant
organisms (such as midges and worms) increase (source).

1.2 Problem Statement

Peda Stream, like many similar ecosystems, has been exposed to anthropogenic pressures that
may compromise its ecological integrity. The physico-chemical characteristics of the stream
might fluctuate, but the biological community reflects the lasting impact of these stressors.
However, there is a lack of recent biological data on the health of Peda Stream. Consequently,
an assessment is urgently needed to understand the current ecological state, identify hotspots
of degradation, and provide data for management and conservation efforts.

1.3. Objective

General Objective:

 Assess the ecological health of Peda Stream using macroinvertebrate assemblages

Specific Objectives:

 Measure key water quality at each site

 Identify the major macroinvertebrate community composition at the family level in
the stream
 Select suitable macroinvertebrate-based indices for determining the health of the
stream
 Determine the ecological state of the stream combining various indices

1.4 Research Questions

-What is the composition and richness of macroinvertebrate communities at different sites

along Peda Stream?

-How do macroinvertebrate assemblages and habitat quality vary from upstream (presumably
less impacted) to downstream (more impacted) sites?

-Which physicochemical factors most strongly correlate with macroinvertebrate diversity and
index scores?

-What is the overall ecological status of each site according to standard biotic indices?

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 -Do observed conditions suggest impairment, and what are the likely anthropogenic
stressors responsible?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Assessing Peda Stream’s health will fill a critical knowledge gap and support evidence-based
water management in Ethiopia. Specifically, this study will:

Demonstrate the applicability of macroinvertebrates indices (including ETHbios ) in a local

context, as recommended by recent Ethiopian reviews.

Inform local authorities and communities about pollution sources and stream condition,
aiding conservation planning and regulatory compliance. For example, Workiye et al. (2020)
note that biological monitoring is not yet integrated into Ethiopian policy, so our data can
help advocate for its use.

Contribute to Ethiopia’s freshwater management by aligning with national goals of

safeguarding water resources.

1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focuses on assessing the ecological health of Peda Stream within Peda Campus,
Bahir Dar University, during the 2026 academic year.

Specifically, the study will:

 Assess ecological condition using benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators.

 Examine three selected sites:
 Old Senate area (upstream)
 COBE Peda Bridge (midstream)
 Mouth of Peda Stream (downstream)
 Apply selected biotic indices:
 BMWP (or Ethiobios if applicable)
 ASPT
 Shannon Diversity Index
 Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI)

Measure selected physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, DO, conductivity) if

equipment is available.

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Provide baseline ecological information for future monitoring and management.

The study is limited to family-level identification of macroinvertebrates.

Limitations of the Study

The study will be conducted during one season (dry season), which may not capture seasonal
variation.

Identification will be limited to family level due to time and laboratory constraints.

Limited equipment (e.g., optional multiparameter probe) may restrict comprehensive

physicochemical analysis.

The study area is restricted to selected sites within Peda Campus and may not represent the
entire watershed.

Budget and time constraints may limit replication and extended sampling.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Concept of Ecological Health in Streams

Ecological health refers to the ability of a stream ecosystem to maintain its structure,
function, and resilience under natural and anthropogenic disturbances (Karr, 1991). Healthy
streams maintain balanced physicochemical conditions and diverse biological communities
(Allan & Castillo, 2007). Assessing ecological health is essential for sustainable watershed
management (Barbour et al., 1999).

2.2 Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators

Benthic macroinvertebrates are widely used as bioindicators of water quality because they
reflect long-term environmental conditions (Rosenberg & Resh, 1993). They are relatively
sedentary and respond differently to pollution depending on their tolerance levels (Barbour et
al., 1999).

Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT taxa) are generally sensitive to organic
pollution (Hilsenhoff, 1988). In contrast, tolerant groups such as Chironomidae and
Oligochaeta can survive in degraded environments (Hilsenhoff, 1988)

2.3 Biotic Indices Used in Stream Assessment

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Several indices translate macroinvertebrate data into quantitative measures of ecological
condition:

-BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) assigns scores to families based on pollution
tolerance; higher scores indicate better ecological condition (Armitage et al., 1983).

-Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (FBI) assesses organic pollution using tolerance values of taxa;
lower values reflect cleaner water (Hilsenhoff, 1988).

-Shannon Diversity Index (H′) measures community diversity, combining richness and
evenness; higher diversity correlates with healthier ecosystems (Allan & Castillo, 2007).

-ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) adjusts BMWP for the number of taxa, providing a
standardized measure of water quality.

2.4 Empirical Studies (Ethiopia and Elsewhere)

Studies conducted in different parts of the world have demonstrated that macroinvertebrate
assemblages effectively detect stream degradation (Rosenberg & Resh, 1993).

In Ethiopia, research has shown a significant reduction of sensitive taxa in polluted streams
(Aschalew & Moog, 2015). Other studies in Ethiopian highland streams reported strong
correlations between physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrate diversity (Lakew &
Moog, 2016).

2.5 Research Gap

Despite several macroinvertebrate-based assessments conducted in major Ethiopian rivers

(Aschalew & Moog, 2015; Lakew & Moog, 2016), there is limited documented ecological
health assessment specifically for Peda Stream. Therefore, this study aims to generate
baseline ecological health data for Peda Stream using macroinvertebrate assemblages.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1 Description of the Study Area

The study will be conducted on Peda Stream, located within Peda Campus of Bahir Dar
University, Ethiopia. The stream is a tributary within the Lake Tana basin and flows through

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areas influenced by campus activities and surrounding land use. The stream experiences
seasonal flow variation, with higher discharge during the rainy season (June–September) and
reduced flow during the dry season.

The surrounding land use includes educational infrastructure, footpaths, vegetation patches,
and possible runoff inputs. These factors may influence the ecological condition of the
stream.

Figure 1. Map showing sampling stations within the Peda Campus

3.2 Research Design

A cross-sectional ecological assessment design will be employed. Macroinvertebrate

communities and physicochemical parameters will be assessed at selected sites along the
stream to determine ecological health status using biotic indices.

BMWP SCORE

BMWP Ecological
score status
>100 Excellent
71-100 Good
41-70 Moderate

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 11-40 Poor
<10 Very poor

Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI)

FBI = Σ (ni × ti) / N

Where:

Ni = number of individuals

Ti = tolerance value

N = total individuals

FBI Status
score
s
0.00- Excellent
3.50
3.51- Very
4.50 good
4.51- Good
5.50
5.51- Fair
6.50
6.51- Poor
7.50
>7.50 Very
poor

3.3 Sampling Design

Site Selection

Three sampling sites will be selected along Peda Stream based on observable land-use
influence and accessibility:

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Site 1: Old Senate Area (Upstream Site)

Located near the old senate building of Peda Campus. This site is expected to represent
relatively lower anthropogenic disturbance and may serve as a reference condition.

Site 2: COBE Peda Bridge (Midstream Site)

Located near the College of Business and Economics (COBE) bridge crossing. This site is
moderately influenced by student movement, bridge runoff, and surrounding campus
activities.

Site 3: Mouth of Peda Stream (Downstream Site)

Located at the confluence where Peda Stream joins the Abbay River. This site is expected to
reflect cumulative impacts from upstream activities.

No Name Stream site Site Coordinates

Site 1 Old senate area Upstream 11.576149,37.394721
Site 2 COBE Peda Midstream 11.573627,37.398893
bridge
Site 3 Mouth of peda Downstream 11.568724,37.404895
stream

3.4 Macroinvertebrate Sampling

 Benthic macroinvertebrates will be collected using a 500 µm mesh kick-net. At each

sampling site, three replicate samples will be taken from representative microhabitats
(e.g., riffles and vegetated margins). During sampling, approximately 1 m² of
streambed will be disturbed for 3–5 minutes upstream of the net to dislodge
organisms. Collected specimens will be transferred into labelled containers and
preserved in 70% ethanol for laboratory identification.

 Materials
 500 µm mesh kick-net
 Multiparameter probe (for temperature, pH, DO, conductivity)
 Plastic sample containers
 70% ethanol for specimen preservation

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  Forceps
 White trays
 Labels and waterproof markers
 GPS device (mobile GPS)
 Field notebook and data sheets
 Protective glove
 Dissecting microscope

3.5 Physicochemical Measurements

If a multiparameter probe is available, the following parameters will be measured in situ:

 Temperature (°C)
 pH
 Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)
 Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm)
 Turbidity

3.6 Laboratory Analysis

 Organisms will be identified to family level using standard identification keys such as
Bouchard (2004), Merritt, Cummins, and Berg (2008), and the South African aquatic
invertebrate field guide (Gerber & Gabriel, 2002).
3.7 Data Analysis
The following indices will be calculated:
1. BMWP Score
Sum of tolerance scores of identified families.
2. ASPT
ASPT = BMWP / Number of scoring taxa
3. Shannon Diversity Index (H')
H' = −Σ (pi ln pi)
Where pi = proportion of individuals of species i.
4. Hilsenhoff Family Biotic Index (FBI)
FBI = Σ (ni × ti) / N
Where:
ni = number of individuals
ti = tolerance value

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 N = total individuals
Ecological status will be classified based on standard index categories (excellent,
good, fair, poor).

5. Data analysis

The date will be analyzed using an Excel sheet. ANOVA will be used to compare the
differences among sites.

4. Expected Outputs

 Baseline ecological health status of Peda Stream

 Macroinvertebrate species composition list
 Biotic index values (BMWP, ASPT, FBI, Shannon)
 Scientific report suitable for submission.

5. Work Plan / Time Schedule

Activity Month 1 Month 2

Proposal ☑️
development
Site ☑️
selection
Field ☑️
sampling
Lab ☑️
identification
Data ☑️
analysis
Report ☑️
writing

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6. Budget

Items Unit Cost (Birr)

Duplicating expenses - 200

Printing 150

Binding 150

Multiparameter probe 1 0
(borrowed from
department)
Kick-net (borrowed from 1 0
department)
Transport - 500

Contingency - 100
Total 1000

7. References

Allan, J. D., & Castillo, M. M. (2007). Stream ecology: Structure and function of running
waters (2nd ed.). Springer.

Armitage, P. D., Moss, D., Wright, J. F., & Furse, M. T. (1983). The performance of a new
biological water quality score system based on macroinvertebrates over a wide range of
unpolluted running-water sites. Water Research, 17(3), 333–347.
[Link]

Aschalew, L., & Moog, O. (2015). A multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrates
for assessing the ecological status of streams in Ethiopia. Hydrobiologia, 751, 229–242.
[Link]

Barbour, M. T., Gerritsen, J., Snyder, B. D., & Stribling, J. B. (1999). Rapid bioassessment
protocols for use in streams and wadeable rivers: Periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates and
fish (2nd ed.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Bouchard, R. W. (2004). Guide to aquatic invertebrates of the Upper Midwest. University of
Minnesota.

Hilsenhoff, W. L. (1988). Rapid field assessment of organic pollution with a family-level

biotic index. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 7(1), 65–68.
[Link]

Karr, J. R. (1991). Biological integrity: A long-neglected aspect of water resource

management. Ecological Applications, 1(1), 66–84. [Link]

Lakew, A., & Moog, O. (2016). Benthic macroinvertebrates and ecological status of highland
streams in Ethiopia. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology, 16(2), 75–85.
[Link]

Merritt, R. W., Cummins, K. W., & Berg, M. B. (2008). An introduction to the aquatic insects
of North America (4th ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Rosenberg, D. M., & Resh, V. H. (1993). Freshwater biomonitoring and benthic

macroinvertebrates. Chapman & Hall.

Workiye W. Assefa, G. Beneberu, B. Sitotaw, & A. Wondie. (2020). Biological monitoring of

freshwater ecosystem health in Ethiopia: A review of current efforts, challenges, and future
developments. Ethiopian Journal of Science and Technology, 13(3), 229–264.

Gerber, A., & Gabriel, M. (2002). Aquatic Invertebrates of South African Rivers: Field
Guide. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria, South Africa.

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