The Species Richness Of Aquatic Macro Invertebrates Among Three Streams Types

This was achieved by conducting freshwater sampling techniques at Flinders Lake, then analysing the samples under dissecting microscopes to identify micro invertebrates. It was hypothesised “Species richness of micro invertebrate species will be greater at the shore in comparison to one meter far from the shore in Flinders

The Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network was created to assess the quality of aquatic environments and ecosystems using benthos organisms as biomarkers (Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 2007). Exclusively used in Ontario, this biomonitoring program assesses ecological function and condition of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands across the province (The Dorset Environmental Science Centre, 2017). The OBBN protocol is ideal for assessing water quality because of the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates (Borisko, et al. 2007). Since macroinvertebrates are easy and inexpensive to collect, determining water quality can be conducted continuously over the course of the year, across many locations (Borisko, et al. 2007; Ontario Ministry of the

Dissolved Oxygen, pH levels, Temperature Change, Fecal Coliform, BOD, Nitrate, Phosphates, Turbidity, and Total Solids were each tested in the stream at least one time. If more time and enough supplies were given, then certain tests should be done more than once. Temperature Changes should be tested every other month because it is quick and a change in temperature can affect the health of the organisms living in the stream and therefore the quality of the stream. Temperatures can also drastically change in a short amount of time and there is a large difference in water temperatures in summer and winter. Another test that should be done every other month is dissolved oxygen because it is related to the temperature of the water. Cooler waters have a greater capacity for dissolved oxygen than warmer waters. This test is important because due to human activity and industrial processes, can increase water temperature and therefore decrease the dissolved oxygen levels. Certain organisms living in the stream need a sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen to survive. Another test that should be done more often is the

At this station, we had to go into the creek, pick out rocks, and observe and identify the animal life living on that rock. Animals that live in the water need dissolved oxygen so they can breathe under the water. The more turbulent the water is, the more dissolved oxygen can be found in it. The amount of dissolved oxygen in a body of water will determine the type and number of macro-invertebrates that may live there. There are three groups of animals that you could find in the Conodoguinet Creek. Group one is called stream insects and crustaceans. These are pollution sensitive organisms, which means they cannot exist in polluted waters. Group one organisms are only found in good quality water. Some examples of these organisms are mayflies, gilled snails, water penny, or a stonefly(shown in figure 8.) The next group is the organisms that are somewhat pollution tolerant, which means they can be found in good or fair quality water. Crayfish, dragonflies, and clams are all examples of group two organisms (shown in figures 3, 6, and 9.) Group three organisms are pollution tolerant organisms. This means they can be found in any quality water. Some examples of group three organisms are pouch snails, pond snails, orb snails, and leeches. When I conducted this experiment, I found seven group one organisms, seven group two organisms, and five group three organisms. Macroinvertebrate is another word for organism.

To analyze the environmental monitoring policy and its resulting measurements in surface waters to determine the differentiation with respect to stream size and flow rate.

Bioindicators of stream health include blackfly larvae, caddisflies, and algae. The presence of blackfly larvae indicates sewage pollution. Caddisflies indicate higher  O2 concentrations. The presences of algae can indicate different things. If algae is absent, there may not be enough nutrients to support its growth. Thick algae indicates eutrophication.  Previous studies by the Colorado Department of Health Water Quality Control Commission in 1981 show comparable amounts of dissolved  O2 as well as pH, nitrite, and nitrate levels in both Cherry and Bear creek. The  NH 3 levels were much higher in Cherry Creek at .10 mg/L compared to Bear creek where the  NH 3 levels were at .06 mg/L (Colorado 1981). In today’s society, it is important to find a balance between preserving the natural ecosystem and accommodating the wants, needs, and desires of the humans who affect it. (Meyer 1997). Pollution is inevitable but should be considered and kept as low as reasonably achievable.

Within the stream channel, there was an array of different types of small juvenile fish species; no amphibians or reptiles were observed, though the conditions for their existence seemed to be adequate. There was an abundance of macroinvertebrates throughout the site, which became more pronounced nearer the stream channel. There was also an adequate amount of bird species observed on the site. Overall, the natural and relatively undisturbed conditions of this section of White Creek provided an adequate habitat for general biotic

During the many sessions we had to investigate and research the health and condition of Steele Creek; at the same time we also hypothesized that “If the results indicate that Steele Creek is in the optimum range for damselfly nymphs then damselfly nymphs will be abundant.” The many experiments we conducted on the creek provided us with crucial findings that showed Steele Creek was in the lower range of ‘good health’. The several experiments we conducted consisted of a: Habitat Survey, Soil Analysis, Water Analysis and Macro-Invertebrate Identification. These tests were restricted to the section we chose of Steele Creek (excluding the Macro-Invertebrate test) . This allowed us to compare an array of aspects of Steele Creek’s water such as pH level and turbidity , giving us an insight into the kind of species that the Steele Creek habitat could sustain and the very nature of it. The fact that the the investigations were conducted at different times, dates and conditions, suggests a possible variation in our results.

The fragility of river biome ecosystems are increasing more and more with each passing year. Development of man-made, hydraulic obstructions and pollution are two of the biggest factors putting the Missouri River at risk. Less than 70% of the planet’s longest 177 rivers are without man-made structures, such as dams. The number will only continue to increase as global populations grow and untapped rivers are targeted. Structures built on rivers negatively affect plants, animals, and especially humans, as the majority of water used by people comes from rivers. The effects of interfering with the natural flow of rivers can already be seen in the straining of the Colorado, Indus, and Yellow rivers, as they have begun to dry before reaching the sea. It is only time before the Mississippi River, which is a continuation of the Missouri River, is affected as such. The aforementioned demonstrates the expanding environmental harms rivers are facing. Backing this up, scientists have shown that disrupting a river’s natural flow patterns incredibly affects its wellbeing. For

Macro invertebrates that live in the stream can determine information about the stream. These organisms can

Data was analyzed at the Little Spokane River at the Verbrugge Environmental Center in Scotia Valley. In terms of the accuracy and methods employed, they were all appropriate in the area of study. Recording data at every 0.5 meter may not have been absolutely accurate since the meter tape may not have been tight enough. The biotic index may not have been accurate because only a small sample was taken from the stream to study. Through the two-sample t-test, the mean gave us a good idea of what the average concentration of E. coli (Escherichia coli) or coliform was in Reach 2 and Reach 3. Over the years, it was comforting to observe that the high concentration level of E. coli (Escherichia coli) in 2013 decreased in 2015. However,

Stoney creek is a salmon spawning stream located on Burnaby Mountain, British Columbia, Canada (The City of Burnaby, 2016). However, the site is constantly being threatened by nearby urban constructions and development (Stoney Creek Environment Committee, n.d.). Thus, organizations were created to protect, maintain and monitor this important salmon rearing stream (Stoney Creek Environment Committee, n.d.). A few methods that the organizations utilize to analyse Stoney Creek, is to survey its habitat conditions and test the water quality and quantity (Taccogna et al., 1995). This will require the assessment of vegetation availability, flow velocity, volume, discharge, water chemistry and conditions (Taccogna et al., 1995). Compiling and documenting

This lab investigates the question, What is the water quality of the U-High stream based on water invertebrates found? Water quality can be determined by multiple factors such as clarity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and levels of pollution. Clarity is the amount of sediment in the stream, higher amounts of sediment is unhealthy for water quality. pH measures the acidity or basicness of the stream, a healthy stream has a pH between 6.0-9.0. Dissolved oxygen is the level of oxygen in the water, this is necessary for the survival of organisms, higher measurements means better water quality. Finally different types of pollution can affect water quality such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Too much of either chemical can cause eutrophication which leads

The Wild River had an average discharge of 154 ft3/s; a minimum discharge of 9 ft3/s; a maximum discharge of 5463 ft3/s; a range of 5453 ft3/s; a maximum/minimum ratio of 589 ft3/s and a standard deviation of 394 with a coefficient variation 2.56 (see Table

Benthic macroinvertebrates have been used to assess the health of aquatic environments. Quality analysis involves looking at benthic species composition and organization within the stream (Resh and Unzicke 1975). Different macroinvertebrates have differing sensitivities to pollutant, with some being more susceptible to environmental toxins than others (Metcalfe 1989). Such methods group macroinvertebrates in regards to their tolerance to pollution.