Biological Assessment

1
Biological Assessment

• Developed by Ken CookeKentucky Division of
  WaterWatershed Watch Program CoordinatorModifie
  d by Mike KempProfessor of Environmental
  Engineering TechnologyMurray State University

2
Biomonitoring
3
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.
4
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
Mid Range
Poor
5
A Diverse Community Representing a Range of
Tolerances
6
A Less Diverse Community Dominated by Tolerant
Species
7
Biomonitoring

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

8
Biomonitoring

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

9
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

10
Selecting the Site
Choose one or more riffles in your stream reach
11
Sampling Protocol Traveling Kick

• 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

12
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

13

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

14

• 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?

15

• 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.

16
Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates
A
B
C
B. Newton 2003
D
E
F
Images from http//www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525
/water/aquatic/index.htm
17
Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates
A
B
C
Caddisfly Larva
Crane Fly Larva
Water Penny
B. Newton 2003
D
E
F
Damselfly Larvae
Scud (Isopod)
Mayfly Larva
Images from http//www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525
/water/aquatic/index.htm
18
Macroinvertebrate Tally
Group 1 Taxa Code Group 2 Taxa Code Group 3 Taxa Code
Water Penny Larvae X Damselfly Nymphs Blackfly Larvae
Mayfly Nymphs Dragonfly Nymphs X Aquatic Worms X
Stonefly Nymphs Crane Fly Larvae Midge Larvae
Dobsonfly Larvae X Beetle Larvae Pouch Snails X
Caddisfly Larvae Crayfish Leeches
Riffle Beetle Adults Scuds
Other Snails X Clams 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 15
Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale Biological Assessment Scale
Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair Good Good Good Good Good Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent



180 5 10 15 20 25 30