Benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality: Th e intersection of science and policy

Th is review addresses the intersection of water quality policy and benthic macroinvertebrates. Specifi cally, we examine the role that stream macroinvertebrates have played or could play in informing water quality deci-sions given the current policy framework, using this framework as the organizational structure for the review. Macroinvertebrates, as biological indicators of stream water quality, can be utilized to identify impaired waters, determine aquatic life stressors, set pollutant load reductions, and indicate improvement. We present both current approaches as well as innovative approaches to identify macroinvertebrates and aquatic life stres-sors. We also discuss an example of the environmental management approach, specifi cally, how macroinver-tebrates can be used to indicate the relative success of stream restoration. For policymakers, this review serves to illuminate opportunities and limitations of using benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of water qual-ity. For entomologists, this review highlights policy-relevant research questions that would further aid the classifi cation of impaired waters, the identifi cation of stressors, or the management of stream ecosystems