EPT communities of the Slovak-Ukrainian transboundary region: structure, diversity and the assessment of ecological status of streams

Mayfly, stonefly and caddisfly communities (Insecta: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera - EPT) constitute a major part of the aquatic insects biomass in running waters. Those communities play an important role in mass and energy flows and consequently affect the whole stream metabolism in temperate streams. The EPT communities sensitively reflect degradiation of running waters and represent an ideal model group for biomonitoring purposes. There is a practical need for a complex hydrobiological research in the region since a priority task of water management in the EU countries is the maintenance and recovery of water quality to achieve good surface and groundwater status.