Biomonitoring Protocols

Site Characteristics

• Every site begins at a Crossover and includes a combination of riffles and pools.
• Crossovers are areas where the stream runs straight and parallel to the shore line.

Crossover

Pool

Riffle

• A pool is an area where the flow is slower, calmer and the stream is relatively deeper, typically over a sand or silt bottom.
• A riffle is an area of the stream where the flow is fast and turbulent, usually over a gravel or cobble bottom.
• Each area is home to different benthic macro-invertebrates and they’re all important for determining stream health.

Measure Site Length

• Sample Sites are 40 meters long, extending upstream from a Crossover point.

• When measuring the distance check to make sure the area includes both Riffle and Pool areas.

MARKING THE TRANSECTS

Transect

• Transects are lines which cut across the stream or river perpendicular to the bank.

• The number of transects depends on the width of the stream. Measure the most narrow width of the stream. Refer to the chart on the bottom right to help determine the number of transects to be used. Mark the transects with flagging tape.

Example

Site length= 40m

Minimum Stream Width= 3.5m

• Therefore, 5 transects will be used.

(Site length)/ (# transects -1) =Distance

• (40)/ (5-1)= 10m distance between transects

The image shows a sampling site with 5 transects for a site length with 40m with 10m in-between each transect.

Collecting Samples

Downstream Limit

• Begin collecting samples in the crossover area.

• When done sampling the first transect move upstream to the next one. Continue this process one transect at a time until you have covered all the transects in the 40 meter Site.

• Remember to always begin at the downstream limit and work up to the most upstream limit when sampling.

Upstream Limit

TRAVELLING KICK AND SWEEP METHOD

7. Once you have reached the end of your transect, scoop your D-net upstream and carefully make your way back to the shoreline.

1. Two people will enter the water downstream of the transect.

2. One person will hold the D-net opening facing upstream so the current flows into the net.

6. As you go, be careful not to lose your sample from your net, bring the net out of the water face-first.

5. Pick up any rocks and rub their surfaces to dislodge any attached bugs and collect them in the net.

3. With the D-net firmly on the stream bottom, the other person will "kick and dance" in front of the net.

4. Work your way across the transect-moving a net-width at a time. Start with the net touching one bank and finish with it touching the opposite bank.

Emptying and Rinsing Sample Process

Picking the sub-sample.

1. Using a measuring cup scoop a sub-sample from the sampling pail into the bucket.

Tips: Try not to agitate the sub-sample- it will make it easier to locate the bugs.

IMPORTANT: Do not count dead bugs or empty shells!

6. Once you have 100 bugs , you can stop but only after you finish picking the sub-sample being worked on.

2. Look carefully at the tray and pick-out anything that moves. The rule is : if it moves, pick it out!

3. Use the pipettes to pick-out the smaller bugs and use the tweezers to pick-out the larger bugs.

4. Transfer bugs into ice cube trays and try to sort them according to groups

5. If you have gone at least 2 minutes without spotting anything, and you have not yet found 100 bugs, put the sub-sample back into the sample pail and get a new sub-sample.

Identify the BMIs

• View our website to see Ecospark's prezi on "Identifying Benthic Macro-invertebrates".
• On our website you can also access the "Descriptive Identification Guide" to learn your BMIs!
• Also available is the "Identification Key".

Fill out the Data sheets during your study

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1. Fill in the geographic data for your study location.

2. Facing upstream, identify the riparian vegetation on the right and left banks. (10 meters on each side of the stream)

3. Indicate the Wetted Width - the distance across the stream that is covered by water - measured in meters.

4. Indicate the Dominant Substrate - the main material on the bottom of the stream - at each transect.

5. Indicate the estimated amount of sky blocked by tree cover when looking up from the middle of the stream.

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Fill out the Data sheets during your study

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6. Write any observations about the site including: temperature; problems with the study proceedings; unusual conditions etc.

7. Take pictures of the first and last transects and list the file names. This will help identify the site in the future.

8. Draw an overhead sketch of the site noting all features.

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Fill out the Data sheets during your study

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Use this sheet to tally the numbers of each bug type when identifying the bugs.

9. Circle LAB, LIVE and HAND LENS for the identification method.

10. Total the number of bugs collected and count the number of groups found.

Dominant Vegetation Types

Dominant Substrate Types