First results about the impacts of human structures on hydromorphology, chemistry and macroinvertebrate assemblages in River Tresa (North-western Italy)

Human pressures are known to alter the hydrological, hydro-chemical and ecological characteristics of watercourses. In this context River Tresa, outlet of Lake Lugano and hydrological connection with Lake Maggiore, was studied for one year. The river is about 13 km long and for most of its course constitutes the boundary between Italy and Switzerland. Hydromorphology was studied through the application along the entire river course of the CARAVAGGIO (Core Assessment of River hAbitat VAlue and hydromorpholoGIcal cOndition) survey method and three different indexes were used: HQA (Habitat Quality Assessment), HMS (Habitat Modification Score) and LRD (Lentic/Lotic River Descriptor).