Stream Ecology and Macroinvertebrate Biology Background Information for Developing your Research Project

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

Source: A. Berkowitz, posted by T. Meyers

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)

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

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

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

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 % of the underwater pile surfaces – From , Caddisflies per 1.5 sq feet in the area averaged (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

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

Amphipoda Biology Scuds; Detritivores (Shredders) Taxonomy: – Phyllum Arthopoda – Class Malacostraca – Superorder Peracarida – Order Amphipoda – Family Gammaridae

Trichoperta Life Cycles Complete Metamorphosis

Amphipoda Life Cycle Incomplete Metamorphosis

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

Shredders Roles Ecological/Trophic – Leaf litter breakdown CPOM  FPOM – Course Particulate Organic Matter – Fine Particulate Organic Matter Human Impact Predators (Trout, etc) Bio-indicator – = No Impairment Evident – = Moderate Impairment – >6.5 = Severe Impairment Selected Major Taxa Order/FamilyTVDensityT x D MayfliesEphemeroptera21632 StonefliesPlecoptera114 CaddisfliesTricoptera Midges - White Chironomidae, Diptera6212 Midges - Red Chironomidae, Diptera800 BeetlesColeoptera4624 Aquatic WormsOligochaeta8216 Crane FliesTipulidae, Diptera339 Black FliesSimuliidae, Diptera6530 SnipefliesAnthericidae, Diptera236 Other FliesDiptera600 Dragon/Damselfli esOdonnata500 HellgramitesMegaloptera000 AlderfliesMegaloptera400 ScudsAmphipoda8864 SowbugsIsopoda8216 CrayfishDecapoda600 Snails/LimpetsGastropoda717 Clams/MusselsPelecypoda71177 LeechesHirudinea1000 Density Total 215 T x D Total 733 Biotic Index (T x D) ÷ Density3.41

Source: A. Berkowitz, posted by T. Meyers

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

Stream Water Chemistry pH Temperature Nitrates Phosphates Chloride Dissolved Oxygen

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

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

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

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

Impervious Surfaces

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

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

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

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

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??

Leaf Packs NaturalArtificial