Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2002

This study was conducted to survey and identify organisms specifically macroinvertebrates that are potential indicators of water quality of Talomo River and to evaluate the health of the river using a metric tool for biological monitoring. Three sites in Talomo River were sampled: Barangay Tamayong, Brgy. Angalan and Brgy. Talomo. The macroinvertebrates collected were counted and identified up to family level. Mayflies, stoneflies, and caddishflies, which are indicators of good water quality, were found at Barangay Tamayong. The absence of these organisms and the presence of pollution ?tolerant organisms such as the planaria and midgefly larva in Barangay Angalan indicate that the site is experiencing degradation. Moreover, Barangay Talomo yielded no benthos, which is an alarming sign of the health of the river. A 10 Metric Family Level B-IBI was used to assess the health of the entire river. The result showed that the quality of the water decreases from upstream to downstream. The relatively low number of taxa found in Barangays Tamayong and Angalan, and none in Talomo could indicate the poor condition of the river. This rating may change when numerous sampling is done such as in an annual study