Diver-Led Freshwater Ecological Monitoring
Tracking invertebrate communities on the River Nene as indicators of river health · June 2026 – February 2027
Pollution tolerance: 🟢 Clean water indicator · 🟡 Moderate tolerance · 🔴 Tolerates polluted water.
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The map shows the River Nene from Thrapston Nine Arch Bridge to Peterborough (~40km). Click the map to drop a pin, name it and save. Click any existing marker for details.
This pack helps other BSAC branches replicate this project on their own inland waterways.
1. Project overview
Pilot conducted on the River Nene by Corby & District Sub Aqua Club (CADSAC) with support from project partners and the British Sub-Aqua Jubilee Trust.
2. Why freshwater invertebrates?
Freshwater macroinvertebrates are internationally recognised bioindicators of river health.
- Stonefly and mayfly larvae indicate clean, well-oxygenated water
- Chironomid midges and water louse tolerate poor water quality
- Diversity of groups matters as much as individual species presence
- Repeated monitoring at fixed sites reveals trends over time
3. Lessons learned
Auto-compiles dive data, journal, AI identifications and budget into a structured report.