Benthic macroinvertebrate and mollusc design for Peace River facility hydrobiological monitoring program: a proposed scientific plan of study to investigate long-term monitoring options for the Peace River.

Abstract

This report details a study with an objective to describe the benthic habitats and communities of the tidal Peace River in Florida, in order to perform the following: describe the present distribution of major macroinvertebrate habitats and communities in the lower Peace River; determine benthic components that will have greatest utility for a possible long-term monitoring program to detect changes in the distribution and abundance of important benthic organisms and/or communities in the lower Peace River as they may be affected by changes in freshwater inflows; and evaluate relationships between the distribution and abundance of important benthic components and physiochemical variables related to freshwater inflows. The results of the study is discussed.