water

Article
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Diversity as Affected by the
Construction of Inland Waterways along Montane Stretches of
Two Rivers in China
Peng Dou 1,2 , Xuan Wang 1 , Yan Lan 3 , Baoshan Cui 1 , Junhong Bai 1 and Tian Xie 1, *

1 State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment,
Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; [email protected] (P.D.);
[email protected] (X.W.); [email protected] (B.C.); [email protected] (J.B.)
2 Department of Water Environment, Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing 100048, China
3 Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing 100035, China;
[email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract: Building inland waterways affects the natural structure, formation, and extent of the
riverbed and riparian zone. It alters the hydrology and sediment deposition conditions and hence
damages the aquatic ecosystem. To address the effects of the construction of inland waterways on the
riverine biome, benthic macroinvertebrate communities were compared at different building stages
of inland waterways along a gradient of shipping traffic density at two montane rivers in China. The
Shannon–Wiener diversity index of the benthic macroinvertebrate communities ranged from 0.4 to
1.6; the lowest value was recorded in the completed inland waterway, while the highest value was
recorded in the unaffected stretch. Principal component analysis and canonical correlation analysis
showed the communities in the inland waterways to be distinct from those in the natural riparian





 habitats. Our results suggest that benthic macroinvertebrate communities can reflect the damage
Citation: Dou, P.; Wang, X.; Lan, Y.; done by the hydromorphological modifications caused by building inland waterways. Benthic
Cui, B.; Bai, J.; Xie, T. Benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance should therefore be included when assessing the impact
Macroinvertebrate Diversity as of building and operating inland waterways.
Affected by the Construction of
Inland Waterways along Montane Keywords: benthic macroinvertebrate communities; waterway construction; riparian ecosystems;
Stretches of Two Rivers in China. shipping traffic; Shannon–Wiener diversity
Water 2022, 14, 1080. https://
doi.org/10.3390/w14071080

Academic Editor: Arantza Iriarte

1. Introduction
Received: 26 January 2022
Accepted: 26 March 2022
Building inland waterways affects many components of river ecosystems [1,2] because
Published: 29 March 2022
of the inevitable anthropogenic interventions, such as regulating river channels, construct-
ing dams, dredging channels, and building wharves [3–6]. Stream channels and riparian
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
zones are affected by building and operating inland waterways [7,8], resulting in changes
with regard to jurisdictional claims in
in dissolved and suspended nutrients, substrate composition, sediment deposition, and
published maps and institutional affil-
the abundance of aquatic organisms within specific stretches of the rivers [9,10]. Habitats
iations.
within natural riparian zones are also heavily impacted when inland waterways are built
in mountainous regions [11–14].
Natural riverbanks are land–water interfaces that affect the hydrological regime, river
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
morphology, and fauna within rivers. In particular, benthic macroinvertebrates, which
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. are typically larger than 0.5 mm or 1 mm and therefore visible to the naked eye, at the
This article is an open access article bottom of a water body in the riparian zone include the most ubiquitous species and
distributed under the terms and perform many indispensable ecological functions in the riparian ecosystem [15–17]. Ben-
conditions of the Creative Commons thic macroinvertebrate species are found in the bottom sediment layer in rivers during
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// spawning, reproduction, and feeding [18,19], and any disturbance to that bottom layer, in-
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ evitable during waterway construction and shipping, is bound to influence the abundance,
4.0/). composition, and diversity of those benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages [20].

Water 2022, 14, 1080. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14071080 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water

Water 2022, 14, 1080 2 of 13

Changes to hydrological conditions and the loss of riparian habitats caused by water-
way construction significantly reduce the biomass (and therefore the abundance) and the
diversity of aquatic organisms along the river [21,22], and ship traffic along inland water-
ways has been proposed as the key factor limiting the survival of benthic macroinvertebrate
species [23,24]. Some characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates can be used as bioindi-
cators to evaluate the quality of riparian habitats [25–27], and benthic macroinvertebrate
diversity and abundance can therefore be included in the criteria for assessing the likely
environmental impact of building inland waterways before their construction is initiated.
The availability of habitats within a riparian zone is altered by the construction of river
channels and the density of shipping traffic in ways that threaten the survival of a number of
benthic macroinvertebrate species [28]. Additionally, the altered hydrologic regimes affect
the structure of riparian habitats significantly, and the stability of a riverbank is affected
by changes in the flow of discharge, the hydrological cycle, waves generated as a result of
shipping traffic, and periods of inundation. Loss of suitable riparian habitats is a primary
factor affecting the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate species [29–31], and some
studies have shown how benthic macroinvertebrates respond to the deterioration of riparian
habitats [32,33] and how they are adversely affected by the construction and operation of
river channels [34]. The species diversity and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates
decreased after inland waterways were built, especially following changes in riparian
habitats [35,36]. Such changes may prevent benthic macroinvertebrates from colonizing
specific stretches of a river and thus hasten the deterioration of benthic macroinvertebrate
communities [37].
Earlier studies have only partly confirmed that construction of waterways and the
subsequent traffic affect the composition of benthic macroinvertebrate communities sig-
nificantly. Research on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity in riparian zones has focused
on the relationship between benthic macroinvertebrate communities and environmental
variables but ignored the different phases of inland waterway construction and the effects
of traffic [38,39]. The effects of traffic and the presence of hydro-engineering structures
in waterways could lead to permanent hydrological changes, resulting in loss of habitats,
including riparian wetlands. Consequently, the riparian flora and fauna become less widely
distributed. Furthermore, shipping traffic disturbs the deposition of sediment on the river
bottom in the riparian zone, which may have even greater effects on the benthic macroin-
vertebrate communities than those caused by other environmental parameters. Once the
construction of an inland waterway is complete, the ecosystem biodiversity begins its
recovery, starting from sites in the riparian zone adjacent to the riverbed. Given a large
stretch of diverse habitats, riparian benthic macroinvertebrate populations can survive the
period of inland waterway construction and then recolonize the river ecosystem. Changes
in streambed substratum habitats, improvement of the river water quality, regulation of
the waterway operation intensity, and even optimization of the river’s hydrological regime
have been proposed as measures for the restoration of benthic macroinvertebrate popula-
tions, but the effectiveness of these measures is difficult to evaluate because there is little
information addressing the mechanism of human disturbance of benthic macroinvertebrate
communities [4]. More research is required into the dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrate
populations as influenced by such construction and by shipping traffic in inland rivers.
The present study is an effort to address the influence of the construction of inland
waterways on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities. We examined the differences
in the response of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to construction at different
building stages of inland waterways. Using the method of multivariate analysis, we
tested the relationship between the diversity and the abundance of macroinvertebrate
communities with the water quality factors and the density of traffic. We propose two
hypotheses, namely: (1) benthic macroinvertebrate populations within a stretch of a river
vary during different periods or phases of constructing a waterway along the river; and
(2) once the waterway is operational, the density of traffic affects the abundance and the
diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate populations in that ecosystem.
 namely: (1) benthic macroinvertebrate populations within a stretch of a river vary during
different periods or phases of constructing a waterway along the river; and (2) once the
waterway is operational, the density of traffic affects the abundance and the diversity of
Water 2022, 14, 1080 benthic macroinvertebrate populations in that ecosystem. 3 of 13

2. Materials and Methods

2. Materials
2.1. Study Areaand Methods
2.1. Study Area
The study was carried out in the mountainous stretches of two rivers in southwest
China,The studythe
namely was carried out
Zhangjiang in the
river andmountainous
the Wuyang river, stretches of two rivers
via repeated in southwest
sampling in 2015
China, namely the Zhangjiang river and the Wuyang river, via repeated
and 2016. Both the Zhangjiang river and the Wuyang river are part of the same hydrolog- sampling in 2015
and 2016. Both the Zhangjiang river and the Wuyang river are part of
ical catchment (Xijiang river basin), with similar hydrogeological conditions, including the same hydrological
catchment
width, flow (Xijiang
flux, and river basin),substrate.
riverside with similar hydrogeological
There conditions,
is very little vegetation inincluding
the bedrock width,
or
flow flux,
gravelly and riverside
substrate substrate. An
of the riverside. There is very
inland little vegetation
waterway in the
project was bedrock
under or gravelly
construction in
substrate of the riverside. An inland waterway project was under
the upper and middle reaches of the Zhangjiang river during the study period. The construction in the upper
and middle
Wuyang riverreaches
waterway of the Zhangjiang
had river during
been in operation the study
for nearly period.
3 years prior The
to theWuyang
study. river
The
waterway had been in operation for nearly 3 years prior to the
total length of the Zhangjiang river is 100.6 km, and its average annual discharge study. The total length
is of
28.8
the Zhangjiang river is 100.6 km, and its average annual discharge is 28.8 m 3 /s. The total
m3/s. The total length of the Wuyang river is 258.4 km, and its average annual discharge
islength
31.22 of
m2the
/s. AWuyang
total of river is 258.4 sites
24 sampling km, andwere itsestablished
average annual discharge
(17 along is 31.22 m2river
the Zhangjiang /s. A
total of 24 sampling sites were established (17 along the Zhangjiang river and 7 along the
and 7 along the Wuyang river) (Figure 1). Discrete samples were collected (see Section 2.2
Wuyang river) (Figure 1). Discrete samples were collected (see Section 2.2 for details) from
for details) from sites within similar niches (similar in terms of vegetation, land use, river
sites within similar niches (similar in terms of vegetation, land use, river width, and flow
width, and flow velocity). In September 2015 and 2016, the sampling sites were divided
velocity). In September 2015 and 2016, the sampling sites were divided into three groups:
into three groups: Group A comprised seven sites (numbered A1 to A7) along a developed
Group A comprised seven sites (numbered A1 to A7) along a developed inland waterway in
inland waterway in the Wuyang river; Group B comprised nine sites (B1–B9) representing
the Wuyang river; Group B comprised nine sites (B1–B9) representing an inland waterway
an inland waterway under construction as part of the Zhangjiang river; and Group C com-
under construction as part of the Zhangjiang river; and Group C comprised eight sites
prised eight sites (C1–C8) representing a natural stretch of the Zhangjiang river (Figure
(C1–C8) representing a natural stretch of the Zhangjiang river (Figure 1). Traffic density
1). Traffic density along these stretches was estimated by observing and recording the
along these stretches was estimated by observing and recording the number of ships
number of ships passing a fixed point within a unit of time over ten consecutive days.
passing a fixed point within a unit of time over ten consecutive days.

Figure 1. Sampling sites (red circles) along the Wuyang (a) and Zhangjiang (b) rivers in southwestern
Figure 1. Sampling sites (red circles) along the Wuyang (a) and Zhangjiang (b) rivers in southwest-
China.
ern Sites
China. A1A1
Sites to to
A7A7 represent a developed
represent a developed inland waterway
inland waterway in in
thethe
Wuyang
Wuyangriver; sites
river; B1B1
sites to to
B9
B9 represent a stretch of inland waterway under construction along the Zhangjiang river; and sitesto
represent a stretch of inland waterway under construction along the Zhangjiang river; and sites C1
C8torepresent
C1 an undisturbed
C8 represent stretch
an undisturbed of theofZhangjiang
stretch river.river.
the Zhangjiang

2.2. Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling

Benthic macroinvertebrate populations were sampled from parts of the riverbank
in contact with river water. From each sampling site in the riparian zone, three samples
were collected as three replications using a Surber net (at a depth of 15 cm), each from
an area 40 cm × 40 cm in size. The samples were filtered through a 2 mm sieve, and the
residue was preserved in 5% (v/v) formaldehyde in plastic vials. The macroinvertebrates
in the residue were handpicked using a dissection microscope at 10× magnification and
preserved in 70% alcohol.
Water 2022, 14, 1080 4 of 13

The subsequent classification and identification of the taxa or morphotaxa were con-
ducted in the laboratory. The macroinvertebrates retained for identification were identified
at the species level (few were identified at the family level), and the abundance of each
species is expressed as the unit ind/m2 . The diversity of macroinvertebrates was calculated
by the Shannon–Wiener diversity index H’.

S
Ni N
H0 = − ∑ ln i (1)
i =1
N N

where S is the total number of species in a sample plot, Ni is the number of individual
species i, and N is the number of all species in the sample plots.

2.3. Analyses of Environmental Factors

From each sampling site, we collected three water samples (10 L each). The physical
and chemical properties of the water, including temperature (TEM), pH, dissolved oxy-
gen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), and suspended solids (SS), were recorded using
portable electrochemical meters (WTW Multi3320 multi-probes and WTW Turb 430T tur-
bidity meter, Xylem Analytics Germany Sales GmbH & Co. KG., Weilheim, Germany).
Water velocity (VEL) was measured using a portable flow meter (HD-DPF420 Doppler
current meter, Haydn Technology Co., LTD, Chongqing, China). All the measuring devices
were calibrated before use. Total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3 -N), total phos-
phorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and ammonium nitrogen (NH4 -N) were
measured in the laboratory according to the Chinese standard method for water quality
monitoring (TN for Environmental Standard HJ636-2012; NO3 -N for Environmental Stan-
dard HJ84-2016; NH4 -N for Environmental Standard HJ535-2009; TP for Chinese National
Standard GB11893-89; and COD for Environmental Standard HJ282-2017).

2.4. Statistical Analyses

To test the differences in environmental variables, macroinvertebrate abundance,
and macroinvertebrate diversity between sampling sites, one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc multiple tests were used. Principal component analy-
sis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality of water quality datasets and provide
an overview of how the environmental variables are grouped to form discrete environ-
mental gradients. The data on environmental variables used for the PCA analysis were
log(x + 1)-transformed to approximate a normal distribution for the physical parame-
ters [40,41].
On the basis of taxa and environmental data, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA)
was performed to reveal the most typical trends in the relationships between benthic
macroinvertebrates and environmental variables. Besides water quality variables, building
stages of an inland waterway (A, operational; B, under construction; and C, undeveloped
river) and traffic density within the waterway were considered in the environmental
variables. Any rare benthic macroinvertebrate taxa were removed, and only those that
represented at least 1% of the abundance in each sample were retained. A total of 26 taxa
were left out of a total of 39 taxa collected. Thus, 26 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa
and significant environmental variables were subjected to CCA to identify the primary
environmental factors affecting the benthic macroinvertebrate communities.
For an accurate interpretation of the relative importance of the building stage, traf-
fic density, and water quality variables, variance partitioning was used to estimate the
contribution of each variable group to the total variation in the benthic invertebrate as-
semblages [42–44]. Variance partitioning analysis determines the proportion of explained
variation in the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates for each environmental variable,
interactions between two variables within a set of environmental variables, and interactions
between all variables. During variance partitioning analyses, benthic macroinvertebrate
abundances were natural-logarithm (ln)-transformed to guarantee the detection of any
 3. Results
3.1. Analysis of Environmental Variables
Water 2022, 14, 1080 5 of 13
There was no significant difference in velocity between the two rivers (0
in the Wuyang river and 0.22 ± 0.03 m/s in the Zhangjiang river, p = 0.688, Fig
non-constant error variance. All statistical analyses were performed using Canoco statistical
was an obvioussoftware
gradient of shipping
ver. 4.5 [45], Origin ver. 9.0, density
and SPSS ver.in different construction stage
22.0.
The traffic density along the constructed waterway was more than twice that
3. Results
waterway under construction
3.1. Analysis and
of Environmental the natural stretch. The water quality fac
Variables
There was no significant difference in velocity between the two rivers (0.20 ± 0.02 m/s
ferent among the three groups (Figure 3). The total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen
in the Wuyang river and 0.22 ± 0.03 m/s in the Zhangjiang river, p = 0.688, Figure 2a). There
nitrogen, total was
phosphorus,
an obvious gradientandof chemical
shipping densityoxygen
in differentdemand
constructionin the(Figure
stages developed
2b).
The traffic density along the constructed waterway was more than twice that in the inland
way were much higher
waterway underthan in the
construction andinland
the naturalwaterway under
stretch. The water construction
quality factors were dif- an
ferent among the three groups (Figure 3). The total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium
stretch. The suspended solids were the highest in the inland waterway un
nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand in the developed inland water-
tion. The temperature
way were much and pHthan
higher of inthe threewaterway
the inland groups were
under close.andThe
construction result of t
the natural
stretch. The suspended solids were the highest in the inland waterway under construction.
marized the variation in and
The temperature thepHwater quality
of the three factors
groups were close. Theand identified
result of that the t
the PCA summarized
nitrate nitrogen,
the and total
variation in thephosphorus were
water quality factors the major
and identified environmental
that the total nitrogen, nitrategradie
nitrogen, and total phosphorus were the major environmental gradients (Table 1).

Figure 2. The environmental parameters in the study area, including (a) the flow velocity in the
Wuyang river and the Zhangjiang river, and (b) the traffic density in the groups. Data are expressed
Figure 2. The environmental parameters in the study area, including (a) the flow
as the mean ± SE and letters indicate significant differences based on Tukey’s post hoc tests.
Wuyang river and the Zhangjiang river, and (b) the traffic density in the groups. Dat
as the mean ± SE and letters indicate significant differences based on Tukey’s post h
Water 2022, 14, x1080
Water FOR PEER REVIEW 6 6ofof 13
13

Figure 3.
Figure The differences
3. The differences in
in water
water quality
quality variables
variables among
among the
the three
three groups.
groups. Data
Data are
are expressed
expressed as
as
the mean ± SE and letters indicate significant differences based on post hoc tests.
the mean ± SE and letters indicate significant differences based on post hoc tests.

Table
Table 1.
1. Summary
Summary of ofeigenvalues
eigenvaluesbetween
betweenthe
theaxis
axisand
andthe
thevariable
variableproduced
producedbyby
PCA using
PCA stand-
using stan-
ardized values of nine environmental variables.
dardized values of nine environmental variables.
Environmental Variables Total Eigenvalues % Variance Cumulative %
Environmental Variables Total Eigenvalues % Variance Cumulative %
Total nitrogen (TN) 4.355 48.391 48.391
Totalnitrogen
Nitrate nitrogen (NO
(TN)3-N) 4.355
1.528 48.391
16.973 48.391
65.364
Nitrate nitrogen (NO3 -N) 1.528 16.973 65.364
Total
Total phosphorus (TP)
phosphorus (TP) 1.006
1.006 11.112
11.112 76.476
76.476
Chemical
Chemicaloxygen demand(COD)
oxygen demand (COD) 0.811
0.811 9.025
9.025 85.502
85.502
Suspended solids
Suspended solids(SS)
(SS) 0.509
0.509 5.652
5.652 91.154
91.154
Dissolved oxygen
Dissolved oxygen(DO)
(DO) 0.462
0.462 5.135
5.135 96.289
96.289
Water velocity (VEL) 0.181 2.015 98.304
Water velocity (VEL)
Temperature (TEM)
0.181
0.105
2.015
1.163
98.304
99.467
Temperature
pH (TEM) 0.105
0.048 1.163
0.501 99.467
99.968
pH
Ammonium nitrogen (NH4 –N) 0.048
0.003 0.501
0.032 99.968
100.00
Ammonium nitrogen (NH4–N) 0.003 0.032 100.00
3.2. Characteristics of the Macroinvertebrate Community
3.2. Characteristics of the Macroinvertebrate Community
We identified 26 macroinvertebrate taxa, the most dominant among them being
We identified
Oligochaeta, 26 macroinvertebrate
represented taxa, therepresented
by two taxa; Gastropoda, most dominant among
by eight taxa;them
and being Oli-
Chironomi-
gochaeta, represented
dae, represented by taxa.
by five two taxa; Gastropoda,
Bivalvia, Insecta, represented
Malacostraca,by eight
and taxa; and
Hirudinea Chironomidae,
also contributed
represented
several taxaby five(Table
each taxa. Bivalvia, Insecta, Malacostraca,
2). The abundance andriver
in the three Hirudinea alsowas
channels contributed sev-
significantly
eral taxa each (Table 2). The abundance in the three river channels was significantly
different (F2,47 = 88.425, p < 0.001). The highest macroinvertebrate abundance was observed dif-
ferent (F = 88.425, p < 0.001). The highest macroinvertebrate abundance
in riparian habitats within the undeveloped stretch of the river (Figure 4a). The diversity
2,47 was observed
in
of riparian habitats within
macroinvertebrate the undeveloped
communities followedstretch of the
the same riveras
pattern (Figure
that of4a). The
their diversity
abundance.
of
The macroinvertebrate
Shannon–Wienercommunities
diversity indexfollowed
within the
Groupsame pattern
A was as that of lower
significantly their abundance.
than that in
Groups B and C (F2,47 = 13.652, p < 0.001) (Figure 4b).
 waterways. Group A is the stretch of an operational inland waterway, Group B is the stretch
waterway under construction, and Group C is the undisturbed stretch of the river. Data are
pressed as means ± SE.

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Taxa Abbreviation Group A Group B Group C

Water 2022, 14, 1080 7 of 13
Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Lim 6.6 ± 0.7 6.4 ± 0.2 11.96 ± 0.1
Oligochaeta
Branchiura sowerbyi Bra sow 10.2 ± 2.2 11.2 ± 1.1 16.1 ±1.3
Hirudinea Glossiphonia sp.
Table 2. Macroinvertebrate Glo
taxa and mean abundance (no. of 4 ± 0.5
individuals per square meter) 2.76
at ± 0.5
sampling sp.
Lithoglyphopsis sites along stretchesLith
of rivers representing three different phases of construction of inland
12.88 ± 0.5
waterways. Group A is the stretch of an operational inland waterway, Group B is the stretch of a
Sinotaia waterway
aeruginosa Sin 14.26 ± 0.9
under construction, and Group C is the undisturbed stretch of the river. Data are expressed
Bithynia sp. ± SE.
as means Bith 9.66 ± 0.8
Radix swinhoei Rad 10.8 ± 0.5 20.56 ± 0.9
GastropodaBenthic Macroinvertebrate Taxa Abbreviation Group A Group B Group C
Stenothyra glabra Sten 12.6 ± 1.8 12.4 ± 0.4 6.44 ± 0.1
Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Lim 6.6 ± 0.7 6.4 ± 0.2 11.96 ± 0.1
Oligochaeta Oncomelania sp. Onc
Branchiura sowerbyi Bra sow 10.2 ± 2.2 11.2 ± 1.1 16.1 ±1.3 10.58 ± 0.1
Hirudinea Gyraulus convexiusculus
Glossiphonia sp. Glo Gyr 4 ± 0.5 2.76 ± 0.5 2.76 ± 0.1
Lithoglyphopsis sp. Lith 12.88 ± 0.5
Physa aeruginosa
Sinotaia acuta Sin Phy 5.6 ± 0.214.26 ± 0.9
Bivalvia Corbicula fluminea
Bithynia sp. Bith Cor 7.8 ± 1.0 8.8 ± 0.6 9.66 ± 0.8 8.28 ± 0.2
Radix swinhoei Rad 10.8 ± 0.5 20.56 ± 0.9
CrustaceaGastropoda Caridina sp.
Stenothyra glabra Sten Car 12.6 ±5.4
1.8 ± 0.5 12.4 ± 0.4 16.8 ± 1.86.44 ± 0.1 5.98 ± 0.4
Baetis sp.sp.
Oncomelania Onc Bae 7.2 ± 0.5 10.58 ± 0.1
Gyraulus convexiusculus Gyr 2.76 ± 0.1
Caenis sp.
Physa acuta Phy
Cae 1.2 ± 0.1 5.6 ± 0.2 1.2 ± 0.2 1.84 ± 0.2
Bivalvia Hydropsychidae
Corbicula flumineasp. CorHyd 7.8 ± 1.0 8.8 ± 0.6 1.6 ± 0.7 8.28 ± 0.2
Crustacea Caridina sp. Car 5.4 ± 0.5 16.8 ± 1.8 5.98 ± 0.4
Gomphidae
Baetis sp.
sp. Bae
Gom 7.8 ± 0.7
7.2 ± 0.5
2.76 ± 0.1
Macromia
Caenis sp.sp. CaeMac 1.2 ± 0.1 1.2 ± 0.2 6.0 ± 1.4 1.84 ± 0.2 3.68 ± 0.1
Hydropsychidae sp. Hyd 1.6 ± 0.7
Corixidae sp.
Gomphidae sp. Gom
Cor 7.8 ± 0.7 2.76 ± 0.1
1.84 ± 0.1
Isecta Elmidae
Macromiasp. sp. MacElm 6.0 ± 1.4 3.68 ± 0.1 1.84 ± 0.1
Corixidae sp. Cor 1.84 ± 0.1
Psephenidae sp. Pse 1.2 ± 0.2
Isecta Elmidae sp. Elm 1.84 ± 0.1
Parapoynx
Psephenidae sp.
sp. Pse Par 1.2 ± 0.2 1.2 ± 0.4
Parapoynx
Bezzia sp.sp. Par Bez 1.2 ± 0.4 2.76 ± 0.1
Bezzia sp. Bez 2.76 ± 0.1
Tipulidae
Tipulidae sp.
sp. Tip Tip 1.2 ± 0.9 1.2 ± 0.9
Tabanidae
Tabanidae sp. sp. Tab Tab 1.84 ± 0.4 1.84 ± 0.4
Chironomus sp. Chi 8.4 ± 0.4 4.8 ± 0.6 7.36 ± 0.3
Chironomus sp. Chi 8.4 ± 0.4 4.8 ± 0.6 7.36 ± 0.3

Figure
Figure 4. Box
4. Box plots
plots of of
(a)(a)benthic
benthic macroinvertebrate
macroinvertebrate abundance
abundance(no. of(no.
individuals per squareper
of individuals meter)
square me
at sampling sites with different levels of traffic and at different stages of construction of
at sampling sites with different levels of traffic and at different stages of construction of the wa the waterway
way and
and(b)(b)
benthic macroinvertebrate
benthic diversity (the
macroinvertebrate Shannon–Wiener
diversity diversity index). Barsdiversity
(the Shannon–Wiener marked with
index). B
the same lowercase letters were not significantly different according to Tukey’s multiple comparison
test. Vertical bars show standard errors.
 marked with the same lowercase letters were not significantly different according to Tukey
tiple comparison test. Vertical bars show standard errors.
Water 2022, 14, 1080 8 of 13

3.3. Influence of Environmental Variables on Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities

Macroinvertebrate
3.3. Influence abundance
of Environmental Variables on in the Macroinvertebrate
Benthic riparian zone was negatively correlated
Communities
stage Macroinvertebrate
of construction and the density
abundance of traffic.
in the riparian zoneAwasclear relationship
negatively between
correlated to the benth
croinvertebrate abundance
stage of construction and the and
densityenvironmental variables
of traffic. A clear was revealed
relationship by CCA ordi
between benthic
macroinvertebrate abundance and environmental variables was revealed
(Figure 5). The first and the second canonical axes accounted for 57.63% of the var by CCA ordina-
tion (Figure 5). The first and the second canonical axes accounted for 57.63% of the variation.
The scores for Axis 2 (34.58% of the variance, eigenvalue = 0.13) sites were positive
The scores for Axis 2 (34.58% of the variance, eigenvalue = 0.13) sites were positively corre-
related with
lated with dissolved
dissolved oxygenoxygen (r =p 0.61,
(r = 0.61, p <and
< 0.001) 0.001)
pH (rand pHp (r
= 0.56, = 0.56,
< 0.05) butpnegatively
< 0.05) but nega
correlated withtotal
correlated with total nitrogen
nitrogen (r = −(r0.51,
= −0.51, p <construction
p < 0.05), 0.05), construction
stage (r = −stage
0.54, p (r = −0.54, p <
< 0.05),
total
totalphosphorus
phosphorus (r(r ==−0.71,
−0.71,
p <p 0.001),
< 0.001), traffic
traffic densitydensity (r =p 0.57,
(r = 0.57, p and
< 0.05), < 0.05),
NH3and
–N NH3–
(r = − 0.68, p
−0.68, p < 0.05).< 0.05).

Figure 5. Ordination of macroinvertebrate abundance with environmental variables using canonical

correspondence analysis. Significant environmental variables are represented by arrows. Abbrevia-
Figure 5. Ordination of macroinvertebrate abundance with environmental variables using ca
tions are spelled-out in Tables 1 and 2. Tra-D, traffic density; W-Con, construction phase; open circles,
correspondence analysis. Significant environmental variables are represented by arrows. Ab
abundance of macroinvertebrates.
tions are spelled-out in Tables 1 and 2. Tra-D, traffic density; W-Con, construction phase; op
cles, abundance ofthe
To determine macroinvertebrates.
explanatory variance of benthic macroinvertebrate abundance, partial
CCAs were conducted using reduced data sets. Single effects of water quality variables
accounted for a large
To determine proportion
the of thevariance
explanatory variation of
butbenthic
showedmacroinvertebrate
no significant difference
abundanc
between water quality and the density of shipping traffic. However, the effects of physical
tial CCAs were conducted using reduced data sets. Single effects of water quality
factors and the density were significantly different during the construction and operational
bles accounted
phases. for variation
The shared a large proportion of the
among all three variation
physical but
factors showedforno12%
accounted significant
of the diff
between
variation water
(Figurequality and51%
6), whereas theofdensity of shipping
the variation traffic. However,
was unexplained. The taxa weretheclearly
effects of ph
affected by water quality and by the phase of the waterway’s construction.
factors and the density were significantly different during the construction Nearly half and
of the variation in abundance was probably due to unknown and undetectable variables,
tional phases. The shared variation among all three physical factors accounted for 1
such as individual behavior and interactions among taxa.
the variation (Figure 6), whereas 51% of the variation was unexplained. The taxa
clearly affected by water quality and by the phase of the waterway’s construction. N
half of the variation in abundance was probably due to unknown and undetectabl
ables, such as individual behavior and interactions among taxa.
Water 2022,14,
Water2022, 14,1080
x FOR PEER REVIEW 99 of
of 13
13

Figure 6. Variation partitioning of specific effects within the matrix of benthic macroinvertebrate
Figure 6. Variation partitioning of specific effects within the matrix of benthic macroinvertebrate
abundances
abundances and
and the
the shared
shared variation
variation of
of each
each environmental
environmental parameter
parameter (total
(total nitrogen
nitrogen and
and other
other
water quality parameters).
water quality parameters).
4. Discussion
4. Discussion
The different stages of waterway construction and different traffic densities were the
The different stages of waterway construction and different traffic densities were the
major physical variables affecting the distribution of microhabitats suitable for macroinver-
major physical variables affecting the distribution of microhabitats suitable for macroin-
tebrates. Two rivers with similar hydrogeological conditions were selected in our study, so
vertebrates. Two rivers with similar hydrogeological conditions were selected in our
there was no difference in the environmental background variables such as pH, temperature,
study,
and flow sovelocity.
there was no difference
Building waterways in the canenvironmental
destroy riparian background
habitats byvariables
disturbing such
the as pH,
water
temperature, and flow velocity. Building waterways can destroy
flow, the deposition of sediment, and nutrient concentrations. In the constructed inland riparian habitats by dis-
turbing thethe
waterway, water
ship flow,
trafficthe deposition
brought aboutof sediment,Therefore,
pollution. and nutrient concentrations.
the nitrogen, phosphorus,In the
constructed inland waterway, the ship traffic brought about
and organic pollutants in the constructed inland waterway were significantly higher thanpollution. Therefore, the ni-
trogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants in the constructed inland
those in the waterway under construction and the natural stretch of river with a much lower waterway were sig-
nificantly
traffic higher
density. The than those
results ofin thestudy
this waterwaysupportunder construction
previous research and the natural
showing that stretch
changes of
river with a much lower traffic density. The results of this study
in some parameters of water quality can affect the composition of the macroinvertebrate support previous research
showing that
community changes in some
significantly [46–48]. parameters
Althoughofthe water quality
effect of flow canrate
affect
was thefound
composition
to not be of
the macroinvertebrate community significantly [46–48]. Although
significant in this study, the influence of flow velocity on macroinvertebrate communities the effect of flow rate
wasbeen
has found to not
found bevery
to be significant
important in this study,
in many the [48,49].
cases influence In of flow velocity
addition, riparianonvegetation
macroin-
vertebrate communities has been found to be very important
was not considered to be a factor affecting macroinvertebrate communities in this study in many cases [48,49]. In
addition, riparian vegetation was not considered to be a factor
because the study area is in a mountainous region and the bedrock or gritty substrate affecting macroinvertebrate
communities
precludes the in this study because
development of plant the study area is in
communities. The a mountainous
question of whether region anddamagethe bed-
to
rock or gritty
riparian substrate
vegetation causedprecludes
by inland the development
waterway of plantiscommunities.
construction an important The question
factor affecting of
whether
the damage to riparian
macroinvertebrate community vegetation caused
requires by inland
further study. waterway construction is an im-
portant
Thefactor affecting
diversity of taxa theismacroinvertebrate community
the most effective indicator requires
of the health further study.
of a river [50]. Both
the diversity and abundance of the macroinvertebrate community decreased as[50].
The diversity of taxa is the most effective indicator of the health of a river Both
a result
theconstruction
of diversity and abundance
because of the macroinvertebrate
such construction destroyed many community decreased
natural riparian as a result of
microhabitats,
construction
thereby because
upsetting such construction
the balance within the destroyed many natural
riverine ecosystem and theriparian microhabitats,
diversity of benthic
invertebrates.
thereby upsetting Undeveloped
the balance rivers or undeveloped
within stretches ofand
the riverine ecosystem rivers
thecan serve as
diversity of natural
benthic
floodwater
invertebrates. reservoirs, wildliferivers
Undeveloped habitats, and water purifiers.
or undeveloped stretchesInland waterway
of rivers can serve construction
as natural
often focusesreservoirs,
floodwater on the efficiency
wildlife of habitats,
construction andand operation,
water purifiers. at the costwaterway
Inland of riparianconstruc-
habitats,
water quality, biodiversity, and hydrology. The present research
tion often focuses on the efficiency of construction and operation, at the cost of riparian has shown that benthic
invertebrates
habitats, water were sensitive
quality, to changesand
biodiversity, in their habitats,The
hydrology. andpresent
constructing
research inland
has waterways
shown that
damaged the components
benthic invertebrates wereof benthic to
sensitive macroinvertebrate communities,
changes in their habitats, damage thatinland
and constructing may
prove irreversible
waterways damaged [51,52]. The diversityofand
the components abundance
benthic of macroinvertebrate
macroinvertebrate communities,communities
damage
are
thatlower
may in mountainous
prove irreversible rivers compared
[51,52]. with rivers
The diversity andon plains or agricultural
abundance irrigated
of macroinvertebrate
areas [4,21,29]. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities in mountain rivers were found
Water 2022, 14, 1080 10 of 13

to be more responsive to the waterway construction activities. If habitats are suitable,

populations of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna can survive periods of intense external dis-
turbance to the riparian ecosystem [51]. Essentially, reducing the damage to river channels
associated with inland waterway construction could maintain both the diversity and abun-
dance of macroinvertebrates in undeveloped rivers. During construction and operation,
the inland waterways were found to be unable to sustain high levels of abundance and
biodiversity. Therefore, inland waterway projects should not focus on economic benefits
alone; if necessary, waterway construction must be modified to minimize the negative
effects of construction and traffic on the river ecosystem.
The results of this study show that river stretches during the construction and opera-
tion of inland waterways are poor habitats for macroinvertebrates and the deterioration of
these habitats (owing to channel regulation and dams, for example) may reduce benthic
invertebrate diversity severely. Although benthic invertebrate communities are affected by
external disturbances, such adverse impacts can be mitigated if waterway projects adopt
strategies to protect the river ecology [53–55]. We therefore recommend that biological
conservation, environmental protection, and habitat restoration be considered during the
planning and construction of waterways. Any waterway project should seek to minimize
disturbances to the river ecosystem and provide suitable habitats for benthic macroin-
vertebrate communities. The influence of different phases of waterway construction on
macroinvertebrate communities emphasizes the importance of matching inland waterway
construction to the properties of local habitats. It may not always be necessary to develop
waterways along the entire length of a river. The authorities responsible for waterway
construction should establish appropriate waterway management systems that facilitate
the conservation of aquatic fauna and the restoration of their habitats to derive greater
ecological benefits during the construction of inland waterways.
One part of understanding inland waterway ecosystems is studying the fluctuations in
macroinvertebrate populations over extended periods. Benthic invertebrates are sensitive
to external changes such as those resulting from construction, and those organisms can be
reliable indicators of water quality and of the health of the inland waterway ecosystem [56].
In particular, restoration of the riparian zone should focus on protecting specific benthic
invertebrates, and the conservation of aquatic fauna should be coupled with the restoration
of habitat quality to facilitate the survival of taxa on a regional scale. The effects of an
anthropogenic intervention on undeveloped rivers can be investigated using the abundance
and the diversity of benthic invertebrates as indicators. The strategies for conservation and
restoration of inland waterways should ensure that once a waterway construction project
is complete, the habitats become suitable once again for recolonization [57]. A reduction in
diversity, for example, is a typical detrimental effect of construction on ecosystems in the
riparian zone, and appropriate ways to restore the diversity to its former level should be
part of the restoration strategy. However, this requires detailed field studies on macroin-
vertebrates as well as on water quality and habitat quality carried out before (to serve as
baselines), during, and after the completion of any project of waterway construction.

5. Conclusions
Both the diversity and abundance of benthic invertebrates decreased markedly during
the construction of inland waterways, and the subsequent shipping along the completed
waterway continued to lower the quality of their habitat. Such operations as dredging,
building dams and wharves, and regulating waterway channels had adverse impacts on
natural ecological processes. The likely density of traffic along a stretch of the waterway
should also guide waterway construction. Conserved or restored habitats that will sustain
the diversity and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrate communities must be established
along the inland waterways. The findings of the present research quantify the influence
of waterway construction and operation on benthic invertebrates in the riparian zone and
will help in devising appropriate strategies to protect the fauna or to minimize the adverse
impacts of construction on benthic communities. Further research is also necessary to
Water 2022, 14, 1080 11 of 13

explore how the changes in the environment that result from constructing inland waterways
influence the riparian benthic macroinvertebrate communities within the waterways.
Intensive research must be carried out to investigate the influence of ship waves on the
riparian benthic invertebrate assemblages and to identify the best strategies for establishing
alternative habitats for macroinvertebrates. Further research should also be conducted
to understand the dynamics and functions of benthic invertebrate communities in inland
waterways and to examine the effects of shipping traffic on local benthic assemblages.
More data are required on the diversity and abundance of aquatic organisms within inland
waterways. The findings of such research will help in managing both the construction and
the operation of inland waterways in ways that avoid or minimize the detrimental impacts
of waterways on their ecology.

Author Contributions: P.D., X.W. and T.X. contributed to the conceptualization of the research, the
manuscript’s preparation, the statistical analysis, and the finalization of the manuscript. T.X., Y.L., B.C.
and J.B. contributed to the conceptualization of the research and the manuscript’s revision. P.D. and
X.W. contributed the water quality data analyses. All authors have read and agreed to the published
version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the National Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China
[51709279, 51909006], the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2019NTS11] and
Beijing Natural Science Foundation [8212028].
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The founding sponsors had no role
in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the
manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

References
1. D˛ebska, K.; Rutkowska, B.; Szulc, W. Influence of the catchment area use on the water quality in the Utrata River. Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2022, 194, 165. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
2. Arbaciauskas, K.; Semenchenk, V.; Grabowski, M. Assessment of biological contamination of benthic macroinvertebrate commu-
nities in European inland waterways. Aquatic Invasions 2018, 3, 211–230. [CrossRef]
3. Paarlberg, A.J.; Guerrero, M.; Huthoff, F. Optimizing Dredge-and-Dump Activities for River Navigability Using a Hydro-
Morphodynamic Model. Water 2015, 7, 3943–3962. [CrossRef]
4. Li, K.; Zhang, Z.X.; Yang, H.J.; Bian, H.F.; Jiang, H.B.; Sheng, L.X.; He, C.G. Effects of instream restoration measures on the
physical habitats and benthic macroinvertebrates in an agricultural headwater stream. Ecol. Eng. 2018, 122, 252–262. [CrossRef]
5. Fraser, M.A.; Baldwin, D.S.; Rees, G.N.; Silvester, E.J.; Whitworth, K.L. Rehabilitation options for inland waterways impacted by
sulfidic sediments-Field trials in a south-eastern Australian wetland. J. Environ. Manag. 2012, 102, 71–78. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. La Guardia, M.J.; Hale, R.C.; Newman, B. Brominated Flame-Retardants in Sub-Saharan Africa: Burdens in Inland and Coastal
Sediments in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 9643–9650. [CrossRef]
7. Lorenz, S.; Pusch, M.T. Filtration activity of invasive mussel species under wave disturbance conditions. Biol. Invasions 2013,
15, 2681–2690. [CrossRef]
8. Conder, J.M.; Fuchsman, P.C.; Grover, M.M.; Magar, V.S.; Henning, M.H. Critical review of mercury sediment quality values for
the protection of benthic invertebrates. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2014, 34, 6–21. [CrossRef]
9. Hanafiah, M.M.; Leuven, R.S.E.W.; Sommerwerk, N.; Tockner, K.; Huijbregts, M.A.J. Including the introduction of exotic species
in life cycle impact assessment: The case of inland shipping. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 13924–13940. [CrossRef]
10. Whitfield, A.K.; Becker, A. Impacts of recreational motorboats on fishes: A review. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 83, 24–31. [CrossRef]
11. Weber, A.; Wolter, C. Habitat rehabilitation for juvenile fish in urban waterways: A case study from Berlin, Germany. J. Appl.
Ichthyol. 2016, 33, 136–143. [CrossRef]
12. Deng, X.; Xu, Y.P.; Han, L.F.; Yu, Z.H.; Yang, M.N.; Pan, G.B. Assessment of river health based on an improved entropy-based
fuzzy matter-element model in the Taihu Plain, China. Ecol. Indic. 2015, 57, 85–95. [CrossRef]
13. Adkins, J.K.; Barton, C.D.; Grubbs, S.; Stringer, J.W.; Kolka, R.K. Assessment of Streamside Management Zones for Conserving
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities Following Timber Harvest in Eastern Kentucky Headwater Catchments. Water 2016,
8, 261. [CrossRef]
14. Gabel, F.; Garcia, X.F.; Schnauder, I.; Pusch, M.T. Effects of ship-induced waves on littoral benthic Invertebrates. Freshw. Biol. 2012,
57, 2425–2435. [CrossRef]
15. Weber, A.; Zhang, J.; Nardin, A.; Sukhodolova, T.; Wolter, C. Modelling the Influence of Aquatic Vegetation on the Hydrodynamics
of an Alternative Bank Protection Measure in a Navigable Waterway. River Res. Appl. 2016, 32, 2071–2080. [CrossRef]
16. Feiler, U.; Höss, S.; Ahlf, W.; Gilberg, D.; Hammers-Wirtz, M.; Hollert, H.; Heininger, P. Sediment contact tests as a tool for the
assessment of sediment quality in German waters. Environ. Toxicol. 2012, 32, 144–155. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Water 2022, 14, 1080 12 of 13

17. Tricarico, E.; Junqueira, A.O.R.; Dudgeon, D. Alien species in aquatic environments: A selective comparison of coastal and inland
waters in tropical and temperate latitudes. Aquat. Conserv.-Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 2016, 26, 872–891. [CrossRef]
18. Sukhodolova, T.; Weber, A.; Zhang, J.X.; Wolter, C. Effects of macrophyte development on the oxygen metabolism of an urban
river rehabilitation structure. Sci. Total Environ. 2017, 574, 1125–1130. [CrossRef]
19. Verbrugge, L.N.H.; Schipper, A.M.; Huijbregts, M.A.J.; Velde, G.V.; Leuven, R.S.E.W. Sensitivity of native and non-native mollusc
species to changing river water temperature and salinity. Biol. Invasions 2012, 14, 1187–1199. [CrossRef]
20. Aufdenkampe, A.K.; Mayorga, E.; Raymond, P.A.; Melack, J.M.; Doney, S.C.; Alin, S.R.; Aalto, R.E.; Yoo, K. Riverine coupling of
biogeochemical cycles between land, oceans, and atmosphere. Front. Ecol. Environ. 2011, 9, 53–60. [CrossRef]
21. Meng, X.L.; Jiang, X.M.; Li, Z.F.; Wang, J.; Cooper, K.M.; Xie, Z.C. Responses of macroinvertebrates and local environment to
short-term commercial sand dredging practices in a flood-plain lake. Sci. Total Environ. 2018, 631–632, 1350–1359. [CrossRef]
[PubMed]
22. Dilts, T.E.; Weisberg, P.J.; Leitner, P.; Matocq, M.D.; Inman, R.D.; Nussear, K.E.; Esque, T.C. Multiscale connectivity and graph
theory highlight critical areas for conservation under climate change. Ecol. Appl. 2016, 26, 1223–1237. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
23. Rahman, M.A.; Jaumann, L.; Lerche, N.; Renatus, F.; Buchs, A.K.; Gade, R.; Geldermann, J.; Sauter, M. Selection of the Best Inland
Waterway Structure: A Multicriteria Decision Analysis Approach. Water Resour. Manag. 2015, 29, 2733–2749. [CrossRef]
24. Leitner, P.; Borgwardt, F.; Birk, S.; Graf, W. Multiple stressor effects on benthic macroinvertebrates in very large European rivers
–A typology-based evaluation of faunal responses as a basis for future bioassessment. Sci. Total Environ. 2021, 756, 143472.
[CrossRef]
25. Gergs, R.; Koester, M.; Schulz, R.S. Potential alteration of cross-ecosystem resource subsidies by an invasive aquatic macroinverte-
brate: Implications for the terrestrial food web. Freshw. Biol. 2014, 59, 2645–2655. [CrossRef]
26. Rico, A.; Van den Brink, P.J.; Graf, W.; Focks, A. Relative influence of chemical and non-chemical stressors on invertebrate
communities: A case study in the Danube River. Sci. Total Environ. 2016, 571, 1370–1382. [CrossRef]
27. Hawkins, C.P.; Yuan, L.L. Multitaxon distribution models reveal severe alteration in the regional biodiversity of freshwater
invertebrates. Freshw. Sci. 2016, 35, 1365–1376. [CrossRef]
28. Lintott, P.R.; Bunnefeld, N.; Park, K.J. Opportunities for improving the foraging potential of urban waterways for bats. Biol.
Conserv. 2015, 191, 224–233. [CrossRef]
29. Harrison, S.S.C.; Pretty, J.L.; Shepherd, D.; Hildrew, A.G.; Smith, C.; Hey, R.D. The effect of instream rehabilitation structures on
macroinvertebrates in lowland rivers. J. Appl. Ecol. 2004, 41, 1140–1154. [CrossRef]
30. Weber, A.; Lautenbach, S.; Wolter, C. Improvement of aquatic vegetation in urban waterways using protected artificial shallows.
Ecol. Eng. 2012, 42, 160–167. [CrossRef]
31. Liedermann, M.; Tritthart, M.; Gmeiner, P.; Hinterleitner, M.; Schludermann, E.; Keckeis, H.; Habersack, H. Typification of
vessel-induced waves and their interaction with different bank types, including management implications for river restoration
projects. Hydrobiologia 2014, 729, 17–31. [CrossRef]
32. Kupilas, B.; McKie, B.G.; Januschke, K.; Friberg, N.; Hering, D. Stable isotope analysis indicates positive effects of river restoration
on aquatic-terrestrial linkages. Ecol. Indic. 2020, 113, 106242. [CrossRef]
33. Habersack, H.; Hein, T.; Stanica, A.; Liska, L.; Mair, R.; Jager, E.; Hauer, C.; Bradley, C. Challenges of river basin management:
Current status of, and prospects for, the River Danube from a river engineering perspective. Sci. Total Environ. 2016, 543, 828–845.
[CrossRef]
34. Cron, N.; Quick, I.; Zumbroich, T. Assessing and predicting the hydromorphological and ecological quality of federal waterways
in Germany: Development of a methodological framework. Hydrobiologia 2018, 814, 75–87. [CrossRef]
35. Navarro-Llacer, C.; Baeza, D.; de las Heras, J. Assessment of regulated rivers with indices based on macroinvertebrates, fish and
riparian forest in the southeast of Spain. Ecol. Indic. 2010, 10, 935–942. [CrossRef]
36. Vries, J.; Kraak, M.H.S.; Verdonschot, R.C.M.; Verdonschot, P.F.M. Quantifying cumulative stress acting on macroinvertebrate
assemblages in lowland streams. Sci. Total Environ. 2019, 694, 133630. [CrossRef]
37. Paganelli, D.; Kamburska, L.; Zaupa, S.; Garzoli, L.; Boggero, A. Impacts Analysis of Alien Macroinvertebrate Species in the
Hydrographic System of a Subalpine Lake on the Italian–Swiss Border. Water 2021, 13, 3146. [CrossRef]
38. Theodoropoulos, C.; Stamou, A.; Vardakas, L.; Papadaki, C.; Dimitriou, E.; Skoulikidis, N.; Kalogianni, E. River restoration is
prone to failure unless pre-optimized within a mechanistic ecological framework | Insights from a model-based case study. Water
Res. 2020, 173, 115550. [CrossRef]
39. Kosnicki, E.; Sefick, S.A.; Paller, M.H.; Jerrell, M.S.; Prusha, B.A.; Sterrett, S.C. A Stream Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index
(MMI) for the Sand Hills Ecoregion of the Southeastern Plains, USA. Environ. Manag. 2016, 58, 741–751. [CrossRef]
40. Feld, C.K.; Bello, F.; Doledec, S. Biodiversity of traits and species both show weak responses to hydromorphological alteration in
lowland river macroinvertebrates. Freshw. Biol. 2014, 59, 233–248. [CrossRef]
41. Mantyka-Pringle, C.S.; Martin, T.G.; Moffatt, D.B.; Linke, S.; Rhodes, J.R. Understanding and Predicting the Combined Effects of
Climate Change and Land-Use Change on Freshwater Macroinvertebrates and Fish. J. Appl. Ecol. 2014, 51, 572–581. [CrossRef]
42. Legendre, P.; Caceres, M. Beta diversity as the variance of community data: Dissimilarity coefficients and partitioning. Ecol. Lett.
2013, 16, 951–963. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
43. Soininen, J. A quantitative analysis of species sorting across organisms and ecosystems. Ecology 2014, 95, 3284–3292. [CrossRef]
Water 2022, 14, 1080 13 of 13

44. Pinto, U.; Maheshwari, B.L. River health assessment in peri-urban landscapes: An application of multivariate analysis to identify
the key variables. Water Res. 2011, 45, 3915–3924. [CrossRef]
45. ter Braak, C.J.F.; Smilauer, P. CANOCO Reference Manual and CanoDraw for Windows User’s Guide, Software for Canonical Community
Ordination; Version 4.5; Microcomputer Power: Ithaca, NY, USA, 2002.
46. Halabowski, D.; Lewin, I. Triggers for the Impoverishment of the Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Human-Impacted
Rivers of Two Central European Ecoregions. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2021, 232, 55. [CrossRef]
47. Martel, N.; Rodriguez, M.A.; Bérubé, P. Multi-scale analysis of responses of stream benthic macroinvertebrate to forestry activities
and environmental context. Freshw. Biol. 2007, 52, 85–97. [CrossRef]
48. Stewart, B.A. An assessment of the impacts of timber plantations on water quality and biodiversity values of Marbellup Brook,
Western Australia. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2011, 173, 941–953. [CrossRef]
49. Bunn, S.E.; Abal, E.G.; Smith, M.J.; Choy, S.C.; Fellows, C.S.; Harch, B.D. Integration of science and monitoring of river ecosystem
health to guide investments in catchment protection and rehabilitation. Freshw. Biol. 2010, 55, 223–240. [CrossRef]
50. Norris, R.H.; Linke, S.; Prosser, I.; Young, W.J.; Liston, P.; Bauer, N. Very-broad-scale assessment of human impacts on river
condition. Freshw. Biol. 2007, 52, 959–976. [CrossRef]
51. Langston, W.J.; O’Hara, S.; Pope, N.D.; Davey, M.; Shortidge, E.; Imamura, M. Bioaccumulation surveillance in Milford Haven
Waterway. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2012, 184, 289–311. [CrossRef]
52. Launois, L.; Veslot, J.; Irz, P. Development of a fish-based index (FBI) of biotic integrity for French lakes using the hindcasting
approach. Ecol. Indic. 2011, 11, 1572–1583. [CrossRef]
53. Holmes, R.W.; Anderson, B.S.; Phillips, B.M.; Hunt, J.W.; Crane, D.B.; Mekebri, A.; Connor, V. Statewide Investigation of the
Role of Pyrethroid Pesticides in Sediment Toxicity in California’s Urban Waterways. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 7003–7009.
[CrossRef] [PubMed]
54. Nishijima, W.; Nakano, Y.; Nakai, S.; Okuda, T.; Imai, T.; Okada, M. Macrobenthic succession and characteristics of a man-made
intertidal sandflat constructed in the diversion channel of the Ohta River Estuary. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 82, 101–108. [CrossRef]
55. Sang, L.Z.; Wall, A.; Mao, Z.; Yan, X.P.; Wang, J. A novel method for restoring the trajectory of the inland waterway ship by using
AIS data. Ocean Eng. 2015, 110, 183–194. [CrossRef]
56. Saxena, G.; Marzinelli, E.M.; Naing, N.N.; He, Z.L.; Liang, Y.T.; Tom, L. Metagenomics Reveals the Influence of Land Use and
Rain on the Benthic Microbial Communities in a Tropical Urban Waterway. Msystems 2018, 3, e00136-17. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
57. Hein, T.; Schwarz, U.; Habersack, H.; Nichersu, I.; Preiner, S.; Willby, N.; Weigelhofer, G. Current status and restoration options
for floodplains along the Danube River. Sci. Total Environ. 2016, 543, 778–790. [CrossRef]