Changes in macroinvertebrates assemblages in regulated rivers in

Changes in macroinvertebrates assemblages in regulated rivers in Myanmar: Macroinvertebrate as an indicator to study the potential impact of dams Nyein Thandar Ko 1 [N. T. Ko@tudelft. nl], Martine Rutten 2, Nick van de Giesen 3, John Conallin 4, Phil Suter 5, Chris Dickens 6 Delft University of Technology 1, 2&3, IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education 4, Latrobe University, Albury-Wodonga, Australia 5, International Water management Institute, Pretoria, South Africa 6 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 1

Contents q Introduction Ø Background Ø Problem statement Ø Scope of the study q Methods & Materials Ø Study area Ø Standardized scoring method Ø Equipment q Results Ø Water Quality Index Ø Other water quality information Ø Impact of flow alteration q Discussion & Conclusion BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 2

Rivers in Myanmar provide a range of essential services to people, all of which are dependent on a healthy ecosystem. There is an increasing threat posed by anthropogenic pressures on water resources Introduction : Background BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 3

Ø lacks methods Ø to sustainably manage Introduction: Problem statement 4

Monitoring is important. Why bugs? Good indicator for river health Introduction: Scope of the study BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 5

Pesticides Chemical Pollution Why Bugs? Link To Heavy Metals Nitrate Water Quality Organic Pollution Phosorphous Flow Change in flows Hydropeaking High flows Morphology Sedimentation, Smothering Low flows Dry out stranding River bank destabilisation Landuse change 6 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY

2 X 12. 5 MW 4 X 197. 5 MW Methods & Materials: Study area BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 7

Ecological category (Condition) Unmodiflied (Natural condition) Largely natural/few modiflications (Good condition) Moderately modiflied (Fair condition) Largely modiflied (poor condition) Seriously/critically modified (very poor condition) River category (version 3. 0 September 2015) Sand Type Rocky Type >6. 9 >7. 2 5. 9 to 6. 8 6. 2 to 7. 2 5. 4 to 5. 8 5. 7 to 6. 1 4. 8 to 5. 3 to 5. 6 <4. 8 <5. 3 Methods & Material: Standard Methods BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 8

Ø Nylon nets ( 500 MU & 1000 MU mesh) Ø Five kick samples at different locations Methods & Materials: Equipment BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 9

Good condition Results: Water Quality Index BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 10

Methods & Material: Other water quality information BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 11

Ø Biomonitoring using macroinvertebrates methods is suitable for Myanmar. Ø Changes in the macroinvertebrate assemblages could be related to pollution. Next Study Ø Full analysis will be done in the laboratory which will be used to determine potential impact of dams on macroinvertebrate families. Ø Based on the lab analysis and additional field work a Myanmar specific method will be developed. Ø The method will be developed for citizen scientists, to enable local people to monitor the health of their rivers as further development occurs. Discussion & Conclusion BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 12

Thank You BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA | 18 - 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 MANAGED BY 13