The South African Scoring System (SASS) Version 5 Rapid Bioassessment Method for Rivers

The definitive protocol document for the South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5), the standard rapid bioassessment method for South African rivers. SASS5 uses aquatic macroinvertebrate communities as indicators of river health, sampling from different biotopes (stones, vegetation, gravel-sand-mud) using a standardised kick-net protocol. The method produces a SASS Score and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) used to categorise ecological condition. Widely adopted across Southern Africa and adapted internationally. Citation: Dickens, C.W.S. and Graham, P.M. (2002) The South African Scoring System (SASS) Version 5 Rapid Bioassessment Method for Rivers. African Journal of Aquatic Science 27: 1-10.