Macroinvertebrate Collection for Sandy Substrate Streams

Macroinvertebrate collection for Sandy Substrate streams

4 people recommended: - net person -brush person to assist with large substrate and debris -timer -recorder

-Identify a 200 foot section of river. Draw a map of the region -Within that 200 ft section, find a five 3’x5’ sections that include each of the following habitats if possible. If a habitat type is missing, sample an extra section of the most common habitat. Locate these sites on your map. -Snags and other woody debris -Overhanging and vegetated banks - Aquatic submerged macrophytes (large plants) -Sand and other fine sediment -Divide the sampling time (4min) evenly between all sections 5 sections = 48 sec each 4 sections = 1 min each 3 sections = 1 min 20 sec -Sample each section as described below all in to one net without cleaning net between sections. Start with the one most downstream. -Snags and other woody debris Jab into snag Kick around snag w/ net held downstream -Overhanging and vegetated banks Jab into snag Kick around snag w/ net held downstream - Aquatic submerged macrophytes (large plants) Draw net through vegetation from bottom to surface, avoid sediments -Sand and other fine sediment Bump net on nearest bank with no vegetation and in soft soil in stream- DO NOT DRAG- avoid excessive sediment -Large debris and substrate should be “scrubbed” with bush just upstream of the net -Fill a bucket ½ full of stream water -Rinse all of sample into a corner of the net -Carefully dump, shake, pick all the sample into the bucket. Turn net inside out and rinse remaining sample into bucket -Check net for any clinging bug and pick off into bucket - Swirl bucket to separate debris and organisms -Pour floating material into sieve -Put ALL material from sieve into bottle -Repeat swirl and sieve as necessary to obtain all organic material and bugs -Fill the bottle with alcohol- after 4-5 hours dispense about ¼ liquid in the bottle and add fresh alcohol -Rinse clean the net and sieve and bucket to remove remaining debris—Allow to dry completely to prevent molding!