The integrative approach for ecological stream health assessments was applied to a stream ecosystem using a multi-level organization from molecular level of biomarkers to community levels of bioindicators along with analysis of physical and chemical stressors. Water quality parameters of BOD, COD, TN, and TP etc were measured and physical habitat health, based on Qualitative habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) model were analyzed. Also, Ecological stream health model, based on index of biological integrity (IBI) by fish assemblage, was developed for regional assessments and then applied to the stream. Six metric attributes of original 11 metrics were modified for a development of the model. Biomarkers of comet assay, blood chemistry, physiological parameters, and bioindicators such as organismal-, population-, community- level parameters were evaluated in this study along with eco-toxicity tests. Some stations impaired (stressed) in terms of stream health were identified by the IBI approach and also major key stressors affecting the health were identified using BOD, TN, TP, physical habitat evaluation, and eco-toxicity tests. The assessment approach of integrative ecological stream health would be used as a key tool for ecological restorations and species conservations in the degraded stream ecosystems and applied for elucidating major causes of ecological disturbances. Ultimately, this approach provides us an effective management strategy of stream ecosystems through establishments of ecological networks in various watersheds. This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2013R1A1A4A01012939).

The study objectives were to evaluate the aquatic environment of an urban stream using various ecological parameters of biological biomarkers, physical habitat and chemical water quality and to develop a “Multi-metric Eco-Model” (Mm-E Model) for the ecosystem evaluations. The biomarkers of DNA, based on the comet assay approach of single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), were analyzed using the blood samples of Zacco platypus as a target species. The condition factor (CF) as key indicators of the population evaluation indicator was analyzed along with the weight-length relation and individual abnormality. The four metrics of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) were added for the evaluations of physical habitat. In addition, the parameters of chemical water quality were used as eutrophic indicators. Our results suggested that attributes of biomarkers and bioindicators in the impacted zone (Iz) had sensitive response largely to the chemical stress (eutrophic indicators) and also partially to physical habitat quality, compared to the those in the control zone. Hereafter, applying Multimetric Eco-Model to stream ecosystem, it will be able to evaluate ecological health state.