Watershed Watch Protocols Level I

Goals for this module Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to quantify your findings Learn how to quantify your findings

Stream organisms require access to food access to food refuge from predators refuge from predators tolerable temperatures tolerable temperatures sufficient oxygen sufficient oxygen tolerable chemical conditions tolerable chemical conditions A degraded habitat may not support some organisms

Benthic macroinvertebrates benthic – bottom of the stream; macro – visible with the naked eye; invertebrate – no backbone benthic – bottom of the stream; macro – visible with the naked eye; invertebrate – no backbone ubiquitous and easy to collect ubiquitous and easy to collect relatively sedentary relatively sedentary vary in sensitivity to habitat alteration and pollution vary in sensitivity to habitat alteration and pollution GoodMid RangePoor

A diverse community representing a range of tolerances

A less diverse community dominated by tolerant species

Utility of macroinvertebrate surveys problem identification screening tool problem identification screening tool used in prioritizing sites used in prioritizing sites rapid screening rapid screening

True or False. The presence of pollution tolerant species such as leeches is an indication of poor water quality

False.

Goals for this module Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to quantify your findings Learn how to quantify your findings

Sampling your stream Equipment to bring Equipment to bring Selecting the site Selecting the site Sampling protocol Sampling protocol

Equipment to bring Boots, waders, or shoes that can get wet Boots, waders, or shoes that can get wet D-frame or 10-inch aquarium net D-frame or 10-inch aquarium net Light-colored plastic pan Light-colored plastic pan Field guides, key, and illustrations for identification Field guides, key, and illustrations for identification Magnifying glass Magnifying glass Biological monitoring assessment datasheet Biological monitoring assessment datasheet

Selecting the site Choose one or more riffles in your stream reach

Sampling protocol Fill out the top portion of the biological assessment form

Sampling protocol – traveling kick Set net in riffle Set net in riffle Kick and stir 1/2 meters above net Kick and stir 1/2 meters above net Rinse net in pan containing a small amount of water Rinse net in pan containing a small amount of water Repeat at five different locations in riffle to produce one composite sample Repeat at five different locations in riffle to produce one composite sample Inspect and remove large debris Inspect and remove large debris Identify organisms and calculate score Identify organisms and calculate score Carefully rinse net and pan before sampling another stream Carefully rinse net and pan before sampling another stream 1/2 meter line

Sampling protocol – low gradient Estimate habitat present Estimate habitat present “Jab” net in representative habitat“Jab” net in representative habitat Rinse net in pan containing a small amount of water Rinse net in pan containing a small amount of water Repeat at ten different locations in the reach to produce one composite sample Repeat at ten different locations in the reach to produce one composite sample Inspect and remove large debris Inspect and remove large debris Identify organisms and calculate score Identify organisms and calculate score Carefully rinse net and pan before sampling another stream Carefully rinse net and pan before sampling another stream

For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken? What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles?

For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken? What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles? Five. These can be combined to form one composite sample.

For each site, how many kick-net samples should be taken? What should you do if your reach does not have any riffles? Five. These can be combined to form one composite sample. Look for other habitats that might support macroinvertebrates. Use the low gradient sampling protocol if necessary.

Goals for this module Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to quantify your findings Learn how to quantify your findings

Tools for identification Images from the reverse side of the bioassessment form Images from the reverse side of the bioassessment form Dichotomous key (included in training manual) Dichotomous key (included in training manual) Field guides (Voshell, J. R A guide to common freshwater invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, VA) Field guides (Voshell, J. R A guide to common freshwater invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, VA)

Identify the following macroinvertebrates A Images from BC D B. Newton 2003 E F

Identify the following macroinvertebrates A Images from BC D B. Newton 2003 E F Caddisfly larva Crane fly larva Water Penny Mayfly larvaScud (isopod) damselfly larvae

Goals for this module Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to quantify your findings Learn how to quantify your findings

Scoring your site Fill out the bottom portion of the biological assessment form

X X X X X 3 9 X X

Submit your data Give the form to your area coordinator or send it to the watershed watch office Give the form to your area coordinator or send it to the watershed watch office Each site should be assessed once a year in the summer Each site should be assessed once a year in the summer Ask your area coordinator for help Ask your area coordinator for help

Goals for this module Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Understand how biomonitoring is used to evaluate the health of a stream Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to sample the stream community Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to identify organisms in the stream Learn how to quantify your findings Learn how to quantify your findings