Model-based analysis of the relationship between macroinvertebrate traits and environmental river conditions

Aquatic macroinvertebrates, 18 physical-chemical water characteristics and 30 hydromorphological variables were assessed at 85 locations on Leyte island, Philippines. Biological traits derived from literature were linked to the biological samples based on four different trait estimation methods. These data were used to determine the relation with river characteristics using negative binomial regression. At least five feeding habit modalities were associated with conductivity, velocity, pH, temperature, ammonium-N concentrations, and sediment. The various methods of estimating trait abundance differ in determined major patterns and ecological implications. Therefore, the estimation method used should be explicitly described in trait-related papers to avoid misinterpretation. Trait abundance-environment relationships can be linear or non-linear and therefore a careful selection of the functional relationship should be performed. The process of extracting knowledge from data is of paramount importance as relevant ecological insights were extracted providing insights on flow, wastewater and nutrient management in the rivers.