This study emphasizes the vulnerability of macroinvertebrate assemblages to drought. So far, assemblages have apparently coped with declining DO and other changes in water quality, but this may have been at the expense of species unable to tolerate highly
eutrophic conditions. As global warming intensifies, drought may become more frequent and, with increased abstractions of water, river invertebrate assemblages already under stress may no longer be able to adapt to changing conditions.