MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES IN THE GRENSMAAS STRETCH OF THE RIVER MEUSE - 1981-1990

Macroinvertebrate communities in the Grensmaas stretch of the River Meuse (The Netherlands) were described for the period 1981-1990, largely based on unpublished data. Three biotopes were distinguished: (a) stones in the near-shore zone, (b) the river bottom in the near-shore zone, and (c) the deeper river bottom in the navigable section. Fifty-two taxa were found in the communities described for these biotopes: 37 on the stones in the near-shore zone, 44 in/on the river bottom in the near-shore zone and 26 in/on the deeper river bottom in the navigable section of the Grensmaas. The majority (58%) of the taxa were Chironomidae. Mollusca were represented by only eight taxa; gammarids were absent as were several pollution-intolerant groups (Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Odonata and Plecoptera).