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

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.