An Introduction to

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Loudoun Wildlife ConservancyMarch 9, 2014

Today’s Agenda

• What is a healthy stream?• Best Management Practices• Why are macroinvertebrates good indicators of

stream health?• How do we sample benthic macroinvertebrates?• Where do we sample?• How can you participate?

Activity - Macroinvertebrate Identification

Why is this a healthy stream?

Healthy?

Could this be a problem?

Urban vs. Forested Hydrograph

Too much water?

Best Management Practices

New Insights by Chesapeake Bay program 2014 - http://ian.umces.edu/pdfs/ian_report_438.pdf

Best Management Practices

New Insights by Chesapeake Bay program 2014 - http://ian.umces.edu/pdfs/ian_report_438.pdf

Rain Gardens

New Insights by Chesapeake Bay program 2014 - http://ian.umces.edu/pdfs/ian_report_438.pdf

Potomac Highlands

http://www.cacaponinstitute.org/PHWS%20Benthics/PHWS_BMI_Portal_MS.htm

Potomac Highlands

http://www.cacaponinstitute.org/Benthics/intro%20movie%20v.html

How can I participate?

Help and practice in the field with an existing team.

Keep an eye on our calendar:http://www.tinyurl.com/loudounstreammonitor

Become a certified stream monitor.

Fulfill one of the Stream Monitoring Positions

Coordinator.SchedulerData ManagerEquipment ManagerCommunications

Stream Monitoring PositionsPosition Responsibilities Hours per

month

Stream Monitoring Coordinator Work with LWC Board and attend monthly meetings. 4

Stream Monitoring Scheduler

Update calendar and “nudge” certified leaders to schedule monitoring events, festival and event management 6

Stream Monitoring Data Manager

Accept field sheets, compile data to Excel, post on web site and submit to VA SOS 6

Stream Monitoring Equipment Manager

Maintain inventory of equipment, verify assignment of equipment, replenish and establish budget for future kits 4

Stream Monitoring Communications and Outreach

Maintain list of volunteers, prepare email newsletters and communications. 6

Upcoming Monitoring EventsCrooked Run – Phil Daley – Tue, April 15, 4pm – 6pmNF Catoctin Creek – Helen van Ryzin - Sat, April 26, 2pm – 5pmMilltown Creek – David Ward – Sun, May 18, 2pm – 5pmGoose Creek – North Fork Beaverdam Creek -Limestone Branch – Broad Run -

Certification Training – April 27th Purcellville (Tentative

Where do we sample?

Staying in Touch

Like us on FacebookSign up for Newsletters

See us at Events (Earthday, Family Stream Day)

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancywww.loudounwildlife.org

Loudoun Watershed Watchwww.loudounwatershedwatch.org

Stream Sampling Exercise

What is a Benthic Macroinvertebrate?

Benthic = lives on the bottom

Macro = visible without magnification

Invertebrate = no backbone