biological assessment developed by ken cooke kentucky division of water watershed watch program...

Biological AssessmentDeveloped by Ken CookeKentucky Division of WaterWatershed Watch Program Coordinator

Modified by Mike KempProfessor of Environmental Engineering TechnologyMurray State University

1WEF_Bio_Monitoring

BiomonitoringBiomonitoring

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BiomonitoringBiomonitoring

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Stream organisms require– access to food– refuge from predators– tolerable temperatures– sufficient oxygen– tolerable chemical

conditions

A degraded habitat may not support some organisms. A degraded habitat may not support some organisms.

Benthic MacroinvertebratesBenthic 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

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Good Mid Range Poor

A Diverse Community A Diverse Community Representing a Range of TolerancesRepresenting a Range of Tolerances

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A Less Diverse Community A Less Diverse Community Dominated by Tolerant SpeciesDominated by Tolerant Species

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BiomonitoringBiomonitoring

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

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BiomonitoringBiomonitoring

• 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 BringEquipment 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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Choose one or more riffles in your stream reach

Selecting the SiteSelecting the Site

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Sampling Protocol – Traveling Kick 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

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1/2 meter line1/2 meter line

Sampling Protocol – Low GradientSampling 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 Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates:Macroinvertebrates:

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Images from http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525/water/aquatic/index.htm

B. Newton 2003B. Newton 2003

AA BB CC

DD EE FF

Identify the Following Identify the Following Macroinvertebrates:Macroinvertebrates:

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Images from http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent525/water/aquatic/index.htm

B. Newton 2003B. Newton 2003

AA BB CC

DD EE FF

Caddisfly Larva Crane Fly Larva Water Penny

Damselfly LarvaeScud (Isopod)Mayfly Larva

Macroinvertebrate TallyMacroinvertebrate Tally

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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

Poor Fair Good Excellent

180 5 10 15 20 25 30 +