Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected with a Surber sampler in streams across different levels of pollution in Korea. Abundance data in different species were analyzed according to the models used in species abundance distribution (SAD), covering geometric series, log series and log normal model. Different patterns in SADs were observed according to the states pertaining to the sample sites. While the log normal patterns were broadly applied to the collected samples, the other models (e.g., geometric series) were selectively observed. The slopes of rank abundance also accordingly reflected the degree of pollution. Application of the theoretical models was additionally discussed in revealing the states of communities. Efficiency of SADs was proposed in community monitoring in response to stressful conditions in aquatic ecosystems.