Transcript Slide 1
Biological Assessment
Developed by Ken Cooke
Kentucky Division of Water
Watershed Watch Program Coordinator
Modified by Mike Kemp
Professor of Environmental Engineering
Technology
Murray State University
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Biomonitoring
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Biomonitoring
Stream organisms
require
–
–
–
–
–
access to food
refuge from predators
tolerable temperatures
sufficient oxygen
tolerable chemical
conditions
A degraded habitat may not support some organisms.
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Benthic Macroinvertebrates
• Benthic – bottom of the stream; macro – visible with the naked
eye; invertebrate – no backbone
• Ubiquitous and easy to collect
• Relatively sedentary
• Vary in sensitivity to habitat alteration and pollution
Good
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Mid Range
Poor
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A Diverse Community
Representing a Range of Tolerances
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A Less Diverse Community
Dominated by Tolerant Species
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Biomonitoring
• True or False. The presence of pollution tolerant species such as
leeches is an indication of poor water quality.
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Biomonitoring
• True or False. The presence of pollution tolerant species such as
leeches is an indication of poor water quality.
False
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Equipment to Bring
• Boots, waders, or shoes that can get
wet
• D-frame or 10-inch aquarium net
• Light-colored plastic pan
• Field guides, key, and illustrations for
identification
• Magnifying glass
• Biological monitoring assessment
datasheet
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Selecting the Site
Choose one or
more riffles in your
stream reach
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Sampling Protocol – Traveling Kick
1/2 meter line
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• Set net in riffle
• Kick and stir 1/2 meters above net
• Rinse net in pan containing a small
amount of water
• Repeat at five different locations in
riffle to produce one composite
sample
• Inspect and remove large debris
• Identify organisms and calculate
score
• Carefully rinse net and pan before
sampling another stream
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Sampling Protocol – Low Gradient
• Estimate habitat present
• “Jab” net in representative habitat
• Rinse net in pan containing a small
amount of water
• Repeat at ten different locations in
the reach to produce one
composite sample
• Inspect and remove large debris.
• Identify organisms and calculate
score
• Carefully rinse net and pan before
sampling another stream
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• For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken?
• What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles?
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• For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken?
Five. These can be combined to form one composite sample.
• What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles?
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• For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken?
Five. These can be combined to form one composite sample.
• What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles?
Look for other habitats that might support macroinvertebrates. Use
the low gradient sampling protocol if necessary.
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Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates:
A
B
D
E
C
B. Newton 2003
F
Images from http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525/water/aquatic/index.htm
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Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates:
A
B
Caddisfly Larva
D
Crane Fly Larva
E
Mayfly Larva
C
B. Newton 2003
Scud (Isopod)
Water Penny
F
Damselfly Larvae
Images from http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525/water/aquatic/index.htm
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Macroinvertebrate Tally
Group 1 Taxa
Code
Group 2 Taxa
Water Penny Larvae
X
Damselfly Nymphs
Code
Group 3 Taxa
Blackfly Larvae
Mayfly Nymphs
Dragonfly Nymphs
Stonefly Nymphs
Crane Fly Larvae
Midge Larvae
Beetle Larvae
Pouch Snails
Caddisfly Larvae
Crayfish
Leeches
Riffle Beetle Adults
Scuds
Dobsonfly Larvae
Other Snails
X
Clams
X
Code
Aquatic Worms
X
X
X
X
Sow Bugs/Isopods
Number of taxa present
3
Number of taxa present
2
Number of taxa present
2
Times index value of (3) =
9
Times index value of (2) =
4
Times index value of (1) =
2
Cumulative Index Value
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Biological Assessment Scale
Poor
180
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5
Fair
10
Good
15
20
Excellent
25
30 +