Researchers undergo training on water quality monitoring

Ever wondered how we get information on the condition of streams - whether it is safe enough to fish from, to be used for drinking water or for irrigation purposes? Monitoring provides the answer.

There are many ways to monitor water conditions. Traditionally, water quality is determined through chemical analysis, which are often costly and tedious. As a consequence, changes in water quality are detected only when they have reached a very critical level. Another way is by using macroinvertebrates as indicators.

Macroinvertebrates are larger than microscopic invertebrate animals, which are sensitive to different chemical and physical conditions. Macroinvertebrates are easy to handle and identification of the different kinds is relatively easy. Thus, there is ease in transferring the knowledge to the local people for community-based studies.

Realizing the importance of water quality monitoring, the riverine study of the Aquatic Ecosystem Master Project (AMP) set forth the wheels for its first support activity, the Training on Water Quality Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators conducted on 16-18 March 2004. Participants were researchers of the AMP and Terrestrial Ecosystem Master Project (TEMP), Dr. Emma Sabado, Project Leader of the open research project on integrated pest management (IPM), and the local researchers for the macroinvertebrates component of the study.

Dr. Jan van Tol and Mr. Vincent Kalkman, both from the Netherlands National Museum of Natural History (Naturalis) facilitated the training. Topics covered were Ecosystem Dynamics, Aquatic Ecology, Theory on Biomonitoring, and Sampling Methodologies for Macroinvertebrates collection. Participants also went to the field for hands-on application of theoretical inputs. Each participant had his hands and mind busy in search of Empheroptera, Coleoptera, Plecoptera and other macroinvertebrates found in Layawan River. After the collection, macroinvertebrates were identified, sorted, preserved and labeled. Data analysis and interpretation followed.

The local researchers are expected to use the knowledge and skills acquired from the training for monitoring the water quality of Layawan and Langaran rivers.