Stream Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biology

1. Stream EcologyandMacroinvertebrate Biology Background Information for Developing your Research Project

2. Ecology • Definition: The study of interactions between individuals and individuals and their environment • Simplified Food Chains: • Plants  Herbivores  Predators • Dead organic matter  Detritivores  Predators • Much green material in temporal areas is not eaten by herbivores, but is delivered to the detrital pool • Detritus  Dead, decaying, particulate organic matter

3. Source: A. Berkowitz, posted by T. Meyers

4. http://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/LPNmanual/2_BackgroundInformation.pdfhttp://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/LPNmanual/2_BackgroundInformation.pdf

5. Functional Feeding Groups of Macroinvertebrates • Shredders • Consume coarse organic matter, such as leaves (Sowbugs) • Collectors • Consume fine pieces of organic matter, such as leaf fragments or other material on stream bottom • Filtering Collectors (Clams) • Gathering Collectors (Caddisfly larvae) • Scrapers • Feed on attached periphyton located on submerged underwater surfaces (Example: Snails) • Predators • Feed on other invertebrates (Example: Dragonflies)

6. Food processing…of this detritus is a major ecosystem function • Soil formation • Supports predators • (some predators consumed by humans) • Processed in streams • If it accumulated, would create anoxic conditions • Influence of processing rates: • Quality of detritus (P, N, polyphenols, lignins, etc) • Fungi and bacteria colonization • Invertebrate feeding

7. Ecological Interactions • Microbes and invertebrates process and get energy from detritus • Microbes often overlooked on many levels • Different species process materials at different rates • If a species is lost, the entire ecosystem function will change • Species are being lost at an alarming rate

9. Adaptations Variations of anatomy/structure allow for tolerance, feeding capacities, and competition Trichoptera (Caddisflies) Amphipoda (Scuds) ((Scuds) (Scuds)

10. Importance • Impacts on Humans • Aug. 17, 1988, an 85 foot section of Rt. 675 Bridge collapsed over the Pokomoke (Eastern Shore) • Reduction in cross section area of piles 18-35% • Due to: Bacteria and fungal decay, Caddisfly decay, water currents • In 1977, MDE estimated Caddisflies occupied 30-100% of the underwater pile surfaces • From 1976-1986, Caddisflies per 1.5 sq feet in the area averaged 543.5 • (High 1977=1837; Low 1986=50) • Since 1977, 3 underwater inspections, pile measurements were inconsistent • If use “Chemically Treated Wood,” less fungal and bacterial growth, therefore, less caddisflies

11. Trichoptera Biology • Taxonomy: • Phylum Arthropoda • Class Insecta • Order Trichoptera • Family Lepidostomatidae • Genus Lepidostoma • Larvae feed on detritus (shredders) • Protective cases • You will identify these to Order at the stream, and to Family in the lab

12. Amphipoda Biology • Scuds; Detritivores (Shredders) • Taxonomy: • PhyllumArthopoda • Class Malacostraca • SuperorderPeracarida • Order Amphipoda • Family Gammaridae

13. Trichoperta Life Cycles Complete Metamorphosis

14. Amphipoda Life Cycle Incomplete Metamorphosis

15. Tolerance/Sensitivity of Macroinvertebrates • Macroinvertebrates can also be categorized by their level of tolerance or sensitivity to stream conditions • Dissolved oxygen • Nutrients • Pollutants • Chemical quality • Some species can live in “lower” quality water, and are said to be: • More tolerant • Less sensitive

16. Shredders Roles • Ecological/Trophic • Leaf litter breakdown • CPOMFPOM • Course Particulate Organic Matter • Fine Particulate Organic Matter • Human Impact • Predators (Trout, etc) • Bio-indicator • 0 - 3.75 = No Impairment Evident • 3.75 - 6.50 = Moderate Impairment • >6.5 = Severe Impairment

17. Source: A. Berkowitz, posted by T. Meyers

18. E=Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) P=Plecoptera (Stoneflies) T=Trichoptera (Caddisflies)

19. Stream Water Chemistry • pH • Temperature • Nitrates • Phosphates • Chloride • Dissolved Oxygen

20. What Is a Watershed? A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream Center for Watershed Protection

21. What is a Watershed? Definition: the area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream Each stream has its own watershed Topography is the key element affecting this area of land The boundary of a watershed is defined by the highest elevations surrounding the stream

22. OK, now I know that I live in a watershed … what types of things can affect the health of my watershed? High levels of paved surfaces, or impervious cover, and land use changes can have many impacts on a watershed. Center for Watershed Protection

23. Harmful Pollutants in Runoff • Bacteria • Nutrients • Pesticides • Oil and Grease • Turbid (muddy) water • Heavy Metals (zinc, lead, copper)

24. Impervious Surfaces

25. Riparian Zone • Definition: The interface between land and a stream • Riparian vegetation is often planted as part of stream restoration efforts because it can: • Remove nutrients from runoff (from fertilizers, etc) • Biofilter pollutants • Trap sediment (less turbid water, improve stream banks) • Improve wildlife habitat • Shade water, mitigating water temperature changes • Reduce soil erosion, reduce flood damage

31. What is the best way to evaluate stream health? • Water chemistry is more transient than biotic index of macroinvertebrates due to: • Point-source pollution • Rain events • Seasonal road salting • Inconsistent littering/dumping

32. Physical Regions of a Stream Pool: Deep, slowly moving water Riffle: Rapidly moving water, turbulent Run: Smooth flowing water, medium water speed

33. How do you think these different habitat types will effect water chemistry and macroinvertebrate populations?

34. Your Research Project Objective is to utilize a learned understanding of stream ecology and macroinvertebrate biology to investigate the effects of habitat preference, possibly due to available nutrients and dissolved oxygen, on macroinvertebrate species diversity and abundance in Hereford High School’s stream How can we do this??

35. Leaf Packs Natural Artificial