The response of benthic macroinvertebrates to pollution in developing countries: a multimetric system of bioassessment

1. A variety of bioassessment metrics were tested using family‐level macroinvertebrate data, gathered by standard colonization units, and associated physicochemical data from pollution gradients in three rivers in developing countries. 2. Graphical methods of evaluation were used to evaluate the metrics with respect to these pollution gradients. 3. In general, the macroinvertebrate communities sampled displayed a similar response to pollution to that observed in well‐studied temperate areas. 4. Of the twenty metrics tested seven described the pollution gradients adequately. Four of these seven metrics, which do not supply duplicate information, were selected for use in a multimetric system of bioassessment. 5. A multimetric system is proposed and tested using the original macroinvertebrate data. It performs well in the assessment of the pollution status of the study sites and the description of the pollution gradient. However, local modifications are likely to enhance its performance.