5. Protocol and data sheets
Apr 4th, 2014 by Kristin Lewis
When you arrive at the stream you will do the following:
- Assemble your group of 4 and meet with your assigned TA. Pick up any necessary equipment including: sampling pan, forceps, water bottle, kicknet, magnifying lens, and clipboard
- Complete the Citizens Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index for your assigned section of the stream. When completing this survey, you should evaluate the surrounding 50 meter area.
- Notice the different habitats and conditions that exist within the stream. Would you expect to see different macroinvertebrate communities in these habitats?
- With your group, design a sampling experiment to test your hypothesis. You might choose to compare two different locations in the stream, two different types of habitat within the stream, etc.
- Collect at least 3 invertebrate samples from each of your selected habitats. Invertebrates may be sampled using a combination of the following methods which will be demonstrated by your TA:
- leaf pack sample
- rock sample
- kicknet sample
6. The following key will provided to identify the organisms you find in your sample. Keep a tally of the number of each organism that you find using the Data Sheet attached below.
PRINT the following data sheets and bring with you to lab:
macroinvertebrate data sheet 2014 pdf
Concept Check Questions:
How can benthic macroinvertebrates be collected from the bottom of the stream?
A. using a kicknet
B. picking them off of rocks
C. picking them from a pack of fallen leaves
D. all of the above
Think ahead about your possible experiment. What might be two habitats that you could compare? Why did you select these two habitats?