Long-term macrobenthic community structure changes in the Upper Sakarya River System (1995-2015)

The Upper Sakarya River System ( USRS) is one of the most important river systems in Turkey. Its primary drainage is provided by the Porsuk Seydi and Bardakci Rivers and their tributaries. Long term benthic invertebrate community structure in the USRS was investigated from 1995-2015 (with sampling conducted every five years) in order to assess changes in their composition and in relation to water quality. Oligochaete specimens sorted from samples were identified to the species level when possible; all other invertebrate specimens sorted from samples were identified to order and family level. In addition, some environmental parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, temperature, and hydrogen ion concentration as pH) were measured in situ.