WHPT WHPT better reflects the quality of the invertebrate community because it is based on a wider range of taxa (mostly families). In particular, WHPT includes more families of Diptera and some families that were grouped together in BMWP (known as BMWP composite taxa) are considered separately in WHPT. So 106 taxa are included in WHPT as opposed to the 82 in BMWP. Additionally the abundance of each taxa is taken into account through the use of abundance classes, the WHPT score for each taxa present depending on its abundance.
Abundance category Numerical abundance AB1 AB2 AB3 AB4
1-9 10 -99 100 - 999 >1000 Table 1: WHPT abundance classes
Apart from accounting for abundance, the calculation of scores is the same as for BMWP and results in equivalent but more accurate reflection of water quality. The scores derived are WHPT overall score (equivalent to BMWP), N taxa and ASPT.
Locations All locations are as sampled in previous years and are described below with any changes in the habitat noted. The Bishop’s Sutton outflow is located at SU 60400 32321. The outflow channel is canalised and subject to fast deep flow. There is a gravel bed with strong Ranunculus growth but the banks are vertical stone with little vegetation. Therefore mesohabitats were limited to gravel, Ranunculus, marginal vegetation and the Fontinalis moss growing downstream of the weir. Sampling was concentrated in the Ranunculus which dominated the site (90% cover) and so little of the gravel was sampled as compared with the previous year.
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