The Namibian Scoring System (NASS) version 2 rapid bio-assessment method for rivers
This paper presents a rapid bio-assessment method for assessing the ecological condition of streams and rivers in Namibia. The method uses the composition and abundance of aquatic invertebrates, which are identified in the field, mostly to family level. The method is based on the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5), which has been modified to account for additional tropical invertebrate taxa that occur in northern Namibia. The method was applied to the Zambezi River near Katima Mulilo and NASS results were found to fluctuate predictably with changes in water level. Training of Namibian personnel to apply the method , as part of the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme, is recommended.
Keywords: AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES; BIOMONITORING; BIOTIC INDEX; CAPRIVI; NAMIBIA; RIVER HEALTH; SASS5; ZAMBEZI
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 August 2004
- Co-Published by NISC and Taylor & Francis - Subscriber access available here
- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content