Biological Monitoring Working Party

BMWP Results


Introduction
 

BMWP scores for the locations sampled by S.O.C.S. can be viewed below:

East Mascalls
Scaynes Hill - Main river
Scaynes Hill - Canal Cut
Sheffield Park
Barcombe Mills
Stoneywish Country Park
Spatham Lane
Streat Lane
Swansyard Farm
Holmans railway bridge
Clapper's Bridge
Cooksbridge
Hamsey Road
Plumpton Mill
Ferrings Bridge
Longford Stream
Cinder Hill, Chailey
Ridgelands Lane - Newick
Longford Bridge
Great Bentley Stream
Brook Street, Cuckfield
Shortbridge Stream
Maresfield, Underhill
Shortbridge
Wellingham Lane
 
Shortbridge Stream, Shortbridge.
 
This sample was taken a short distance from where we perform chemical tests each month on the quality of the water. We intend to carry out biological tests at this site on a regular basis to monitor the long term effects that water quality has on invertebrate life in the stream.
See the latest water quality test results for this location...


March 2008

This section of the stream is of uniform depth and lacks diverse morphology. In view of this, the range of organisms found was limited, but the ASPT was very good.

Location Shortbridge Stream – Horse & Barge Farm – Shortbridge
Date 14th March 2008
Grid Reference TQ451213
Notes

Deep“glide” - uniform depth 70 cm average - gravel and clay substrate. Moderate flow and turbidity. Weather overcast.

Also netted in this sample. 1 Brown China Moth larva – 1 Water mite Hydrachna spp.
Biological quality rating C. Fair biological quality
Water quality rating Very good
Species Group BMWP Score

Leptophlebiidae

Mayfly 10

Ephemeridae

Mayfly 10
Sericostomatidae Cased Caddis 10

Leptoceridae

Cased caddis 10

Lepidostomatidae

Cased caddis 10

Caenidae

Mayfly 7
Gammaridae Shrimp 6
Hydropsychidae Caseless caddis 5

Gyrinidae

Whirligig beetle 5
Simuliidae Blackfly larvae 5

Sphaeriidae

Mussels 3
Asellus Hoglouse 3
Chironomidae Midge larvae - bloodworms 2
Oligochaeta Round worms 1
Total Score 87
ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) 6.21