Stream Ecology Stream Ecology and and

MacroinvertebratMacroinvertebrate Samplinge Sampling

What is a stream?What is a stream? A lotic habitat (flowing waters)A lotic habitat (flowing waters) A transporter of inorganic and A transporter of inorganic and

organic materialorganic material A habitat for many species of fish, A habitat for many species of fish,

insects, birds, mammals, plants, and insects, birds, mammals, plants, and microrganismsmicrorganisms

What is a Benthic What is a Benthic Macroinvertebrate?Macroinvertebrate?

Macros are aquatic Macros are aquatic insects, mollusks and insects, mollusks and crustaceanscrustaceans

Macros live in various Macros live in various stream habitats and stream habitats and derive their oxygen derive their oxygen from the waterfrom the water

Animals retained by a Animals retained by a net with a mesh size net with a mesh size greater than 1/5 of a mmgreater than 1/5 of a mm

Why use them?Why use them? - Easy to collect and Easy to collect and

identifyidentify- Some are indicator Some are indicator

speciesspecies- Some are sedentary Some are sedentary

and have long life and have long life cycles, so can act as cycles, so can act as continuous monitors continuous monitors of water qualityof water quality

Macroinvertebrates Macroinvertebrates are affected by:are affected by:

- Resource - Resource availabilityavailability

- Pollution inputs - Pollution inputs (organic and (organic and inorganic)inorganic)

- Available habitat- Available habitat

- Velocity and volume - Velocity and volume of water (flow)of water (flow)

Why are they Why are they

important?important?

- They are the link in the - They are the link in the aquatic food chainaquatic food chain

- They eat algae, leaves,They eat algae, leaves,

and other small and other small macroinvertebrates, macroinvertebrates, which are then eaten which are then eaten by larger animals like by larger animals like fish, who are eaten by fish, who are eaten by birds, racoons, snakes, birds, racoons, snakes, and peopleand people

Why Monitor Aquatic Why Monitor Aquatic Systems?Systems?

Provides education about streams near usProvides education about streams near us Assess the health of streams and our Assess the health of streams and our

waterwayswaterways Build local awareness about water qualityBuild local awareness about water quality Documents the quality of streams overtimeDocuments the quality of streams overtime Detect a pollution problemDetect a pollution problem Determine places in need of restorationDetermine places in need of restoration May influence decision-making of local, May influence decision-making of local,

state, and federal governmentsstate, and federal governments

What Is Point Source What Is Point Source Pollution?Pollution?

• Industrial DischargeIndustrial Discharge• Sewage treatment plantSewage treatment plant• Exposed leaking sewer pipeExposed leaking sewer pipe

Regulated by EPD through a Regulated by EPD through a permitting processpermitting process

Pollutant source more easily Pollutant source more easily identified (point to source)identified (point to source)

What is Non-point Source What is Non-point Source Pollution?Pollution?

• Erosion SedimentErosion Sediment• Fertilizers, pesticidesFertilizers, pesticides• Animal wastesAnimal wastes• Runoff from roads and parking lotsRunoff from roads and parking lots• Illicit Spills and illegal dumpingIllicit Spills and illegal dumping• Leaking septic systemsLeaking septic systems

The #1 cause of water quality problems in North The #1 cause of water quality problems in North CarolinaCarolina

No easily identifiable source and everyone No easily identifiable source and everyone contributescontributes

Biological CommunitiesBiological Communities

Definition-Definition- a group of plants, a group of plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi living in animals, bacteria, and fungi living in a particular areaa particular area

Why is it important?Why is it important? It reflects the It reflects the overall ecological integrity of a overall ecological integrity of a system because the organisms system because the organisms integrate the chemical and physical integrate the chemical and physical aspects of the environmentaspects of the environment

Communities vary with microhabitatCommunities vary with microhabitat

What is Biomonitoring?What is Biomonitoring? Biological Monitoring Definition-Biological Monitoring Definition- The use of The use of

organisms and their biological responses to organisms and their biological responses to evaluate changes in the environmentevaluate changes in the environment

Why important?Why important? Reveals the effects of different Reveals the effects of different

pollutants or other changes in environmental pollutants or other changes in environmental changes.changes.

The presence of macroinvertebrates indicate both The presence of macroinvertebrates indicate both the the

the quality of water and habitat the quality of water and habitat This data is often collected and used to This data is often collected and used to

assess the human impacts on a systemassess the human impacts on a system

Kicknet SamplingKicknet Sampling Face it upstreamFace it upstream Place rocks on netPlace rocks on net Make sure there is a Make sure there is a

bow on the netbow on the net Kick for one minuteKick for one minute Ensure that water does Ensure that water does

not flow over the top of not flow over the top of the net or escape the net or escape around the sidesaround the sides

Together bring sides Together bring sides together slowly and together slowly and bring net out of H20 in bring net out of H20 in a forward sweeping a forward sweeping motionmotion

Stream HabitatsStream Habitats RifflesRiffles

Leaf packsLeaf packs

Vegetated margins Vegetated margins

Woody debrisWoody debris

Sand/rock/gravel streambedSand/rock/gravel streambed

Picking a sitePicking a site

Suitable RifflesSuitable Riffles SmallSmall Safe to wade inSafe to wade in Will not wash Will not wash

water over top of water over top of kick netkick net

Not suitable riffleNot suitable riffle

Leafpack SamplingLeafpack Sampling

Place pan underneath leavesPlace pan underneath leaves Scrape material into panScrape material into pan Sort and identify the macroinvertebratesSort and identify the macroinvertebrates

Pollution-sensitive Pollution-sensitive MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates

CaddisfliesCaddisflies HellegramitesHellegramites

MayflyMayfly StonefliesStoneflies PlanarianPlanarian

Gilled snailGilled snail Riffle beetle adultRiffle beetle adult

Water pennyWater penny

Stonefly NymphStonefly Nymph Measure 8-15mm in length (not including tails) Measure 8-15mm in length (not including tails) 2 tails 2 tails 2 sets of wing pads 2 sets of wing pads Branched gills between legs on underside of Branched gills between legs on underside of

bodybody Yellow to brown in color; often patterned yellow Yellow to brown in color; often patterned yellow

and and brown when mature brown when mature Superficially similar to certain flattened mayfly Superficially similar to certain flattened mayfly

nymphs, however stonefly nymphs always have nymphs, however stonefly nymphs always have two tails, prominent antennae, and two claws at two tails, prominent antennae, and two claws at the end of each leg. the end of each leg.

Mayfly Mayfly Mature larvae measure to 3/4 inch in length Mature larvae measure to 3/4 inch in length

(excluding tails) (excluding tails) Two rows of long hairs present on inside of Two rows of long hairs present on inside of

front legs front legs 2 or 3 tails 2 or 3 tails Slender antennae Slender antennae The conspicuous hairs growing on the inner The conspicuous hairs growing on the inner

front legs are used for filtering food particles front legs are used for filtering food particles from the water. from the water.

Brush-legged mayflies may be minnow like Brush-legged mayflies may be minnow like with a vertically oriented head and three tails with a vertically oriented head and three tails (as pictured) or may be more flattened with a (as pictured) or may be more flattened with a horizontally oriented head and two tails. horizontally oriented head and two tails.

Caddisflies Caddisflies

Up to one inch in length Up to one inch in length Build distinctive cases made of Build distinctive cases made of sticks, rocks, sand, plant material sticks, rocks, sand, plant material

and/or other debris and/or other debris Three pairs of legs Three pairs of legs

Antennae reduced and Antennae reduced and inconspicuous inconspicuous

HellegramitesHellegramites Measure 3/4 - 4 inches in length. Measure 3/4 - 4 inches in length. Body is elongate and somewhat flattened. Body is elongate and somewhat flattened. Large pinching jaws. Large pinching jaws. Lateral appendages along the length of the Lateral appendages along the length of the

abdomen. abdomen. Cotton-like gill tufts on underside of abdomen. Cotton-like gill tufts on underside of abdomen. Abdomen terminates in two small prolegs, each Abdomen terminates in two small prolegs, each

bearing two claws. bearing two claws. Short inconspicuous antennae. Short inconspicuous antennae. Feed on other aquatic insects. Feed on other aquatic insects. Hellgrammites are usually found on the Hellgrammites are usually found on the

underside of large rocks in cool, slow-moving underside of large rocks in cool, slow-moving streams. streams.

Handle hellgrammites carefully, larger Handle hellgrammites carefully, larger individuals may deliver a painful pinch! individuals may deliver a painful pinch!

Water PennyWater Penny Measures 1/4 inch in length Measures 1/4 inch in length

Flat disk-like body Flat disk-like body

Head and legs concealed from above Head and legs concealed from above

6 legs and branched gills on underside 6 legs and branched gills on underside

Prefers cold running water Prefers cold running water

Water pennies prefer cold, fast-moving Water pennies prefer cold, fast-moving streams. Their smooth, flattened bodies streams. Their smooth, flattened bodies enable them to resist the pull of the current. enable them to resist the pull of the current. Water pennies are usually found on smooth Water pennies are usually found on smooth rocks where they graze on attached algae rocks where they graze on attached algae

Riffle Beetle AdultsRiffle Beetle Adults

Riffle beetles measure Riffle beetles measure

approximately 1/16 to approximately 1/16 to

1/4 inch in length 1/4 inch in length Body small, usually oval Body small, usually oval Legs are long Legs are long Antennae are usually slender Antennae are usually slender Riffle beetles walk slowly underwater, Riffle beetles walk slowly underwater,

they do not swim on the surfacethey do not swim on the surface

Gilled SnailGilled Snail

Shell usually opens on right Shell usually opens on right Shell opening covered by Shell opening covered by a thin plate (operculum)a thin plate (operculum)

Pollution semi-tolerant Pollution semi-tolerant MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates

AlderflyAlderfly Clam or MusselClam or Mussel CraneflyCranefly CrayfishCrayfish DamselflyDamselfly DragonflyDragonfly FishflyFishfly

Aquatic beetlesAquatic beetles SowbugSowbug ScudScud Watersnipe flyWatersnipe fly Wherligig beetle Wherligig beetle

larvaelarvae

Dragonfly LarvaDragonfly Larva Measure between 0.5-2.0 inches in length Measure between 0.5-2.0 inches in length Large eyes Large eyes Two pairs of wing pads Two pairs of wing pads Large round or oval abdomen Large round or oval abdomen Abdomen terminates in three small pointed Abdomen terminates in three small pointed

structures structures Can be readily distinguished from other species Can be readily distinguished from other species

by the presence of a large jaw which is modified by the presence of a large jaw which is modified for grasping and covers the underside of the head for grasping and covers the underside of the head

Prefer cool still water, often found among Prefer cool still water, often found among vegetation and leaf packs or burrowed in vegetation and leaf packs or burrowed in sediment sediment

Damselfly NymphDamselfly Nymph Measure 1/2 to 1 inch in length Measure 1/2 to 1 inch in length Large eyes Large eyes 3 broad flattened gills at end of 3 broad flattened gills at end of

abdomen abdomen Abdomen usually much more narrow Abdomen usually much more narrow

and slender than that of dragonflies and slender than that of dragonflies Underside of head covered by a large Underside of head covered by a large

jaw which is modified for grasping jaw which is modified for grasping

Cranefly LarvaCranefly Larva

Measure 1/3-2 inches in length Measure 1/3-2 inches in length Plump caterpillar-like segmented Plump caterpillar-like segmented

body body Head is usually retracted into the Head is usually retracted into the

body body Milky green to brown color Milky green to brown color Four finger-like lobes at back end of Four finger-like lobes at back end of

bodybody

SowbugSowbug Measure 5-20 mm in length.Measure 5-20 mm in length. Clear whitish to pink in color. Clear whitish to pink in color.

Dorsoventrally flattened (side to Dorsoventrally flattened (side to side). side).

Seven pairs of legs, the first two Seven pairs of legs, the first two are modified for grasping. are modified for grasping.

Found in shallow freshwater on Found in shallow freshwater on rocks or detritus.rocks or detritus.

ScudScud

Measure 5-20 mm in length. Measure 5-20 mm in length. Clear whitish to pink in color. Clear whitish to pink in color. Laterally flattened (top to bottom). Laterally flattened (top to bottom). Seven pairs of legs, the first two are Seven pairs of legs, the first two are

modified for grasping. modified for grasping. Found in shallow freshwater springs, Found in shallow freshwater springs,

streams, lakes and ponds. streams, lakes and ponds. Most species feed on detritus. Most species feed on detritus. Scuds are an important food source for Scuds are an important food source for

many fishes. many fishes.

CrayfishCrayfish

Measure up to 6 inches in length Measure up to 6 inches in length Have 5 pairs of walking legs, the Have 5 pairs of walking legs, the

first pair with large pinchers first pair with large pinchers Resembles a small lobster Crayfish are Resembles a small lobster Crayfish are

usually active only at night. During the usually active only at night. During the day they hide in burrows or under rocks. day they hide in burrows or under rocks.

Crayfish are omnivorous, eating both Crayfish are omnivorous, eating both plants and animals. plants and animals.

Pollution-tolerant Pollution-tolerant macroinvertebratesmacroinvertebrates

Aquatic wormAquatic worm Black FlyBlack Fly

LeechLeech Lunged snailLunged snail

Midge FlyMidge Fly

Midge flyMidge fly

Measure up to 1/2 inch in length Measure up to 1/2 inch in length Body small, cylindrical,Body small, cylindrical, and slightly curved and slightly curved Occasionally deep red in color, otherwise Occasionally deep red in color, otherwise

variously colored variously colored Two small prolegs just posterior to head Two small prolegs just posterior to head Frequently found in bottom sediments of Frequently found in bottom sediments of

lakes, streams, and ponds where they feed lakes, streams, and ponds where they feed on deposited organic material on deposited organic material

Black flyBlack fly

Measure to 1/2 inch in length Measure to 1/2 inch in length Body cylindrical and widest posteriorly Body cylindrical and widest posteriorly Abdomen terminates in an attachment disc Abdomen terminates in an attachment disc Head usually possesses fan-like Head usually possesses fan-like

appendages appendages Blackfly larvae prefer cold running water Blackfly larvae prefer cold running water

and are usually found attached by the end and are usually found attached by the end of their abdomens to rocks, woody debris, of their abdomens to rocks, woody debris, or vegetation in the currents of rivers and or vegetation in the currents of rivers and streams. streams.

LeechLeech Measure 1.0 mm to 5.0 cm in length. Measure 1.0 mm to 5.0 cm in length. Typically dorsoventrally flattened. Typically dorsoventrally flattened. Always have 34 segments. Always have 34 segments. Suckers at both ends. Suckers at both ends. Leeches are common in warm protected Leeches are common in warm protected

waters of lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes. waters of lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes. Leeches usually avoid light by hiding under Leeches usually avoid light by hiding under

rocks or among aquatic vegetation or rocks or among aquatic vegetation or detritus. detritus.

Silty substrates are unsuitable for leeches Silty substrates are unsuitable for leeches because they cannot attach properly. because they cannot attach properly.

Aquatic WormAquatic Worm Measure 1-30 mm in length, but Measure 1-30 mm in length, but sometimes over 100 mm. sometimes over 100 mm. Clear whitish to pink in color. Clear whitish to pink in color. Body consists of 7 to 500 segments. Body consists of 7 to 500 segments. Segments often have bristles or hairs. Segments often have bristles or hairs. Tolerant of low dissolved oxygen Tolerant of low dissolved oxygen

concentrations. concentrations. Found in silty substrates and among debris Found in silty substrates and among debris

or detritus in pods, lakes, streams and or detritus in pods, lakes, streams and rivers. rivers.

Dense populations of Tubificids can often be Dense populations of Tubificids can often be found in organically polluted rivers. found in organically polluted rivers.

Approximately 200 species in North AmericaApproximately 200 species in North America

Lunged SnailLunged Snail

Shell usually opens to the Shell usually opens to the leftleft

Breathe AirBreathe Air

No operculumNo operculum

Calculate your resultsCalculate your resultsIf you find: You may If you find: You may

have:have:

Variety of macroinvertebrates, lots of

each kind

Healthy StreamHealthy Stream

Little variety, with many of each kind

Water enriched with organic matter

A variety of macroinvertebrates, but a few

of each kind, or No macroinvertebrates but the

stream appears clean

Toxic pollutionToxic pollution

Few macroinvertebrates and the streambed is covered with

sediment

Poor habitat from sedimentation

““We monitor because we care;We monitor because we care;

We care because we are informed; We care because we are informed;

We are informed because we We are informed because we monitor.”monitor.”

-- Cassie Champion-- Cassie Champion