Dataset on macroinvertebrates occurrence across different stretches of an urban Palmiet River in Durban, South Africa

Three hypotheses were tested: 1. Macroinvertebrate communities would exhibit spatial variation along the longitudinal gradient of the Palmiet River, with a site within an industrial area showing lower taxa richness and abundance. 2. Macroinvertebrates assemblage would be strongly associated with the physical habitat and water quality. 3. The presence of anthropogenic solid waste materials would increase the abundance of some macroinvertebrates. Sampling was conducted seasonally from March 2017 (Autumn) to January-February 2018 (Summer). Water was collected using acid-treated water sampling bottles and kept in a cooler box with ice. Habitat assessment was carried out following McMillan (1998) protocol where habitats were given scores based on their conditions (Appendix 1). Macroinvertebrates were sampled following Dickens and Graham (2002) protocol where vegetation, stones, and gravel sand and mud biotopes were sampled. Samplings were carried out at six sites along the longitudinal gradient of an Urban Palmiet River, at the headwaters (Site 6), industrial area (Site 5), few kilometeres downstream industrial area (Site 4), before Palmiet Nature Reserve (Site 3), in the Palmiet Nature Reserve (Site 2), and few kilometers downstream Palmiet Nature Reserve, within the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Site 1). These data show variation on macroinvertebrates assemblage across 6 sites and the site 5 which was hypertrophic has shown low taxa richness and abundance. Sensitive taxa were recorded at Site 6. Generally, these data show a clear association between macroinvertebrates assemblage, water quality and physical habitat condition. Moreover, anthropogenic litter showed to provide habitat for some taxa.