Macroinvertebrates are a functional grouping of animals lacking a vertebral column that are retained by a defined mesh size (typically ≥0.25–0.5 mm) in aquatic and sometimes terrestrial ecosystem studies. This assemblage encompasses taxa such as insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, and arachnids, and is commonly used in biomonitoring and ecological assessment because of their diverse life histories, relatively limited mobility, and taxon-specific sensitivities to environmental stressors. Macroinvertebrate community composition, abundance, and trait structure provide quantitative indicators of habitat quality, hydrological regime, organic enrichment, toxic contamination, and broader ecosystem functioning, including decomposition and nutrient cycling.
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