APPLYING AN INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY BASED ON FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN A WEST-AFRICAN RIVER

A multivariate measure of river quality, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), was adapted to a West African river, the Konkoure (Republic of Guinea). Fish assemblages were sampled using gill-nets during the dry season to provide data for the IBI. Ten metrics were subsequently def ined. The capacity of the modified IBI to assess the impact of a bauxi te treatment plant was tested. The IBI decreased as expected at the im pacted station. Detailed examination of the data revealed that one fam ily, the Mormyridae, was almost eliminated from the impacted station, suggesting that members of this familiy can be considered as intoleran t species in future uses of the IBI in other African rivers.