The distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Daecheon stream, an urban stream of Busan, was investigated to analyze the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. The collection was peformed monthly at five(A~E) sites divided into three parts, upper, middle and lower, of stream from January to November, 2004. In physicochemical analysis of environmental factors, water quality parameters such as BOD, COD, conductivity and ABS were relatively increased in sites B and C. Whereas sites A, D and E showed little variations with good water quality parameters. However, water quality parameters in all surveyed sites showed gradual decrease with time toward improvement of water quality. A total of 8,226 individuals including 4 phyla, 6 classes, 9 orders, 302 families and 44 species were identified from five sites. The most dominant group was insect(class Insecta), and order Ephemeroptera and Diptera among insect was the largest member in species(30.6%) and individuals(75.0%) of benthic macroinvertebrates, respectively. The primary dominant species were Gammarus sp. and Ephemera strigata in site A, whereas Chironomus sp. and Brenchiura sowerbyi were dominated commonly in the other sites. In community analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates of Daecheon stream diversity index showed relatively low values, whereas dominance index was significantly high. Diversity index was the highest in site A, whereas the dominance index was the highest in site B. However, diversity index showed gradual increase with time showing adverse mode in dominance index. From these results, it can be suggested that long-term ecological monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna is needed for sustainable management of Daecheon stream.

In order to improve the water environment at urban streams in Korea, several river restoration projects have been initiated for past few years. This study evaluates the impact of diverting water application at the riverhead of Onchun stream through the monitoring program for several water quality and ecological parameters. Various water quality parameters and ecological item such as benthic macroinverterates has been investigated between 09/05 and 12/06. Analysis indicates that the application of diverting water from Nakdong river to Onchun stream distinctly improved several water quality parameters such as, PH, BOD, TN, TP and concentrations of heavy metals. Low flow augmentation also improve ecological indicies such as the diversity index of benthic macroinvertebrates. Generally speaking, releasing addition water from head water of Onchun stream improves various water environmental characteristics.