This European Standard gives guidance on procedures for the pro-rata Multi-Habitat-Sampling (MHS) of benthic macro-invertebrates in wadeable rivers and streams. The term "pro-rata" reflects the intention to sample adequate proportions of riverine habitats with reference to their percentage occurrence. The pro-rata MHS technique does not replace other techniques, but is rather, alongside other applications, a fundamental requisite of some multi-metric assessment approaches used to evaluate the ecological status of running waters. The method described in this document is one of the possible techniques among the existing pro-rata MHS techniques. The MHS methodology is based on Rapid Bioassessment Protocols, the procedures of the Environment Agency for England and Wales, the Austrian Guidelines for the Assessment of the Saprobiological Water Quality of Rivers and Streams, the AQEM sampling manual, the AQEM & STAR site protocol, EN 27828, the Austrian Standards M 6232 and M 6119-2, the German Standard DIN 38410-1 and the French Standard XP T90-333. This European Standard also describes in a detailed manner how to sample different habitats that might be suitable for sampling approaches other than Multi-Habitat-Sampling.
EN 16150:2012 Referenced Document
EN 27828 Water Quality - Methods of Biological Sampling - Guidance on Handnet Sampling of Aquatic Benetic Macro- Invertebrates (ISO 7828 : 1985)
EN 16150:2012 history
2012EN 16150:2012 Water quality - Guidance on pro-rata Multi-Habitat sampling of benthic macro-invertebrates from wadeable rivers