LAB 7b Macroinvertebrate Diversity: Stream Ecology Analysis of Frogger’s Creek

LAB 7b Instructions

i) Identification and Invertebrate Count

For this LAB 7b Macroinvertebrate Diversity: Stream Ecology Analysis of Frogger’s Creek, pour some invertebrates from the bucket into a shallow white tray of water. Fill the compartments of two ice cube trays with stream water. Handle the invertebrates gently with tweezers, spoons, or eye droppers. Many will be actively swimming or attempting to escape. Sort them into separate compartments of the ice cube trays based on obvious differences in appearance. Continue sorting until there are no invertebrates left in the bucket.
Use the Invertebrate Field Identification Chart and Key provided to identify the organisms. The chart identifies major groups, not species. There are thousands of species and most are difficult to identify. Within each broad taxonomic group, distinguish as many kinds of organisms as possible, based on appearance. For example, there may be a few obvious types of caddisflies in a sample. You do not need to name them, just recognize them as different. Use a hand lens (10X magnification) or a dissecting scope to examine small organisms.
Members of the insect groups Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, or EPT) often are grouped together because they all require clean water.

ii) Data Entry

Record the numbers counted (Column B) and the number of identifiable taxa (Column C) for each broad taxonomic group on the Invertebrate Survey Field Data Sheet provided. Record the total number and calculate the density (number per m2) in Part A of the Interpretation Sheet. Record the most abundant or predominant taxon in Part B.

iii) Assess Water Quality

Pollution Tolerance Index:

The Identification Chart and Field Data Sheet (Column A) categorize the broad taxonomic groups according to their tolerance of organic pollution. Category 1 includes pollution sensitive species found only in high quality water. Category 2 includes species that tolerate some pollution and are found in high or fair quality water. Category 3 includes pollution tolerant species that are found in a wide range of conditions. Find the number of broad taxonomic groups in Column D in each Pollution Tolerance Category. Record the numbers in Part C of the Interpretation Sheet. Calculate the water quality rating using the formula provided in that section.

EPT Index:

As mentioned above, members of the insect groups Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies), and Trichoptera (caddisflies) often are grouped together and referred to as EPT because they all require non-contaminated water. Calculate the total number of EPT taxa (from
column C, Field Data Sheet) and record the total as the EPT index in Part C of the Interpretation Sheet. Use caution to interpret your results, since results can often be biased: experienced workers can distinguish more taxa than inexperienced ones.

Give all data sheets to your lab instructor to compile the raw data. Pooled data will be on D2L for you to use for your assignment.

Invertebrate Pooled Survey Data Sheet

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Sample LAB 7b SOLUTION

Stream Ecology Analysis and Assessment of Frogger’s Creek

Introduction

There are notably macroinvertebrates that are found in the stream and they are deemed as important biologic indicators in determining the health of the aquatic environment. These organisms include mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies and are useful in determining water quality through their populations. Macroinvertebrates are useful in the assessment of biological pollution because they respond to various levels of contamination. This case therefore seeks to assess the quality of water in Frogger’s Creek through an examination of the macroinvertebrate population (Pašukonis et al,2022). One of the key factors of this study is the aforementioned Frogger’s Creek, which is a stream that could contain salmon, so the presence of salmon fry in the region depends on a healthy macroinvertebrate base (Young & Castro, 2021). Consequently, the examination of the stream’s overall health serves as the key to evaluating the prospects of a salmonid population.

Materials and Methods

The procedure adopted in the particular experiment was to sample macroinvertebrates in Frogger’s Creek using a 15 cm x 15 cm sampler drawn from the site. Subsequently, the collected invertebrates were sorted depending on the tolerance levels to pollution using the Invertebrate Field Identification Chart. According to this classification, the count of both individuals and taxa in each pollution tolerance level was noted. As for the evaluation of the pollution degree of the water samples, PTI and EPT Indices were computed (Pašukonis et al., 2022). From the latest classifications of these groups, it was easy to assess the status of the stream’s ecosystem.

To make the assessment comprehensive, the sampling stations were chosen in various parts of the stream. This approach enabled the examination of various segments of Frogger’s Creek, thus obtaining several biotope types in the stream. The study was conducted to represent the health status of the stream and the distribution of the macroinvertebrate populations by extending across all the segments.

The collected environmental data for July 18th, 2024, and other variables that form the pool of data for Frogger’s Creek include the following parameters crucial for the macroinvertebrate analysis. The depth of water varied from 5-10 cm, the air temperature was 21. Room temperature 24 Celsius, water temperature at 16 Celsius. 21°C. In the case of water quality analysis pH of the water was recorded as 7. 7, this shows the water required was mesophilic neutral in conditions, an ideal environment to support the aquatic life form. It also indicated dissolved oxygen levels which were 8. 9 PPM, this is adequate for the sustenance of other aquatic life forms including salmonids. The latter implies environmental parameters which can be referred to as the details that help to compare the given macronicontearte data with the general state of the stream.

Procedure

Equipment

The methods utilized in this lab are from the Streamkeepers Module 4 which is an instructional manual developed for use by Byrne Creek Streamkeepers and similar volunteer environmental organisation. These methods are aimed at the continuous assessment of the status of streams. For this study, the students were grouped into either groups of four or groups of five members each of them using a meter stick, thermometer, pH test kit, dissolved oxygen test kit, Surber sampler, a plastic bucket, clipboard containing data collection forms, and heavy-duty dishwashing gloves.

Abiotic Variable Measurements

In this study, the parameters obtained from the physical environment encompass air temperature, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water pH. The first sampling station located upstream of the second bridge was sampled from downstream, in the middle of the reach From this bucket, Stream water was scooped half-filled and used to carry the samples of invertebrates. The thermometer was employed to take both the ambient air temperature as well as the temperature of the water at three points along the stream or river. FAO leaf sample dissolved oxygen was estimated with the help of a dissolved oxygen test kit and the pH of the samples was obtained using a universal indicator along with the pH scale chart. These measurements were important in establishing the baseline required in the analysis of the macroinvertebrate data.

Macroinvertebrate Sampling

Macroinvertebrate sampling required a surber sampler that formed a box of 30 cm x 30 cm in size. This tool was used to collect macroinvertebrates that had been knocked off from the stream bed. To deploy the sampler the opening of the core had to be directed in the direction of the water flow while the frame was gently inserted into the stream substrate to lock the device. Again, cobble-sized stones in the sampling area were collected and placed in the hand net and submerged in water, and stones rolled up sharply to remove the associated invertebrates. These organisms that were in turn dislodged into the water were then trapped by the net. The same process was carried out thrice in three different positions of the stream to get a correct and comprehensive collection of macroinvertebrates.

The collected invertebrates were then put into the pollution tolerance with the help of an Invertebrate Field Identification Chart. The number of species for each category was noted and two environmental indices namely Pollution Tolerance Index and EPT Index were used to determine the status of the stream ecosystem. This means that the data collected from the mentioned methods gave a piece of rich information about the water quality as well as the status of Frogger’s Creek.

Results

The pooled data from the Excel file were analyzed, and the following key findings were noted as shown in the table below:

Category	Number of Species	Number of Individuals	EPT Index Score	EPT to Total Ratio
Pollution Intolerant (Category 1)	7	43
Moderately Tolerant (Category 2)	11	14
Pollution Tolerant (Category 3)	9	51
Total	27	108	8	0.27

 

Table 1: Table of Results

 Plot 1: Plot for Results

Following the above results, it can be understood that whereas the Pollution Tolerance Index and EPT Index tend to confirm that the quality of water is good, the EPT to Total Ratio is near the borderline suggesting the problem premises (Marín-Lora et al, 2020). The same information is provided in the below table and a bar graph is also depicted below the table.

Discussion

            The macroinvertebrate data pointed to the fact that the water quality of Frogger’s Creek is good since the PTI score was 23 and the EPT Index was 8, this implies a healthy environment for salmonid species. However, the EPT to Total Ratio of 0 is indicative of a lower level of receptiveness to Total’s performance by its clients 0.27, though on the peripheries, indicates local contamination. Although the general circumstances look rather promising for salmonids, special efforts to reduce pollution and improve the habitat are needed for the indicated species. Thus, Frogger’s Creek should be capable of supporting a salmonid population; nevertheless, further negotiations and development are advised.

The oligochaete, gastropod, trichopteran, and collector-collector macroinvertebrate communities in Frogger’s Creek compel one to infer that the outcomes reflect reasonably favorable water quality as estimated by both the PTI and EPT Index. Nevertheless, the decreasing pattern of the marginal EPT to Total Ratio strongly suggests that particular attention should be paid to specific sources of pollution and their effects on the stream’s biotic community (Tsividis et al, 2021). Therefore, because there are numerous species of pollution-tolerant species in the water, it is evident that there is pollution in the water. The outcomes of this work are compared with similar works and stress the need for water quality to sustain salmonid stock.

 Pollution Tolerance Index (PTI)

The PTI of the water sample is 23, thus representing good-quality water since values below 25 are the threshold for water considered good quality. This index incorporates the assessable status of species sensitive to pollution, moderately sensitive species, and species tolerant to pollution. The parasite loads of eleven out of fourteen macroinvertebrate families imply that pollution-intolerant species (Category 1) are common in Frogger’s Creek, which means that it can support a diverse macroinvertebrate community (Tsividis et al, 2021). Caddisfly larvae, stonefly nymphs, as well as mayfly nymphs, are among the most valuable bio-indication members of PTES, pollution-intolerant species. More of them suggest the tolerance of the stream in supporting high-quality species in water without the effect of a high concentration of contaminants.

 EPT Index

This is evident from the obtained EPT Index score of 8 which also implies good quality of water. EPT taxa, which are mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera) are considered to be sensitive to water pollution. It can, therefore, be concluded that the high EPT Index, analyzed in the context of the stream environment, points to the proposition of favorable conditions for the presence of these pollution-sensitive organisms (Young & Castro, 2021). Something of particular interest for the potential of this stream for salmonids is the concentration of pollutants because these fish species are migrants that require clean water. The existence of the extensive EPT community increases the minimum pollution prevalence and asserts the stable, high oxygen provision that salmonids require.

 EPT to Total Ratio

So even if the PTI and the EPT Index have positive scores, the overall picture of the elements of innovation can be presented as the following:

So in general, both the PTI and EPT Index are positive with their scores, however, the impact of EPT elements on the total score is minor as 27 is marginal. This ratio established relates EPT individuals to the overall macroinvertebrates captured (Ehsan & Riedl, 2020). A low ratio indicates that although EPT taxa are there in the macroinvertebrate community, the influence is comparatively less. This could be the case because certain localized peculiarities of pollution sources or habitat degradation can have an impact on species composition and thus are not necessarily displayed in PTI and EPT Indices (Pašukonis et al,2022). About a third of the current’s taxa can endure relatively high amounts of pollution, including midge larvae and aquatic worms, pointing to sections of the stream that could be exposed to periodic pollution or habitat fluctuations.

Recommendations

In light of the observations made above the following recommendations can be made for the enhancement and sustenance of water quality in Frogger’s Creek:

 Targeted Pollution Mitigation

Taken a survey to determine which of the general sources of pollution most contract to affect the macroinvertebrate population. Recommendary measures concerning specific prevention strategies that would assist in eradicating ultimately the sources of the above-mentioned pollutants. This could involve improvement of the process of wastewater disposal, reduction of the amount of effluent water that is generated from farming, and establishing a buffer strip around the stream.

 Habitat Restoration

Enhance Riparian buffer, lesser silt content, and positive contribution in enhancement of stream bank structure of Frogger’s Creek to establish a more generous and diverse environment. The parameters mentioned earlier can help participate in strengthening the condition for EPT and other organisms sensitive to pollution, thereby increasing the EPT to Total Ratio.

 Regular Monitoring

The design and specification of a routine sampling plan for the examination of shifts in the macroinvertebrate communities on a long-term basis along with the water quality coefficients in the future should be established. These actions will help in finding new threats and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the control activities performed. It also consists of acquiring relevant information for extensive environmental surveillance.

Conclusion

Therefore, the Pollution Tolerance Index PTI-HT test demonstrates the favorable water quality to support salmonid populations in Frogger’s Creek to harbor suitable habitat, EPTHT Index. Such aspects can be explained by the existence of a big count of the species intolerant to pollution in addition to a high EPT Index which, summing up, gives proof of the caring of the stream to the sensitive macroinvertebrates and in this concern principal water living animal kinds, for instance, salmonid species in case of the streams preference to clean water. It can thus be inferred that for an ecosystem to have the right species to perform its functions effectively, high water quality is mandatory.

However, the EPT to Total Ratio did not differ that much, which means that there could be certain segments of the stream that have been affected or Those small fisheries might have been affected or have been changing in terms of the habitat of the specific EPT organisms. Hence this ratio depicts that while is richness of EPT taxa, their density is reduced in scale compared to that of other macroinvertebrates, which points to one or more sources of stress. Such stressors could be sedimentation, nutrient leaking, or chemical pollution which are not constant along the stream length.

Thus, daily monitoring and particular anti-pollution actions need to be taken as a way to counteract these issues. This will in turn help in the determination of pollutants or progressive signs of diminishment in the quality of water and also the assessment of measures in conserving the resource on this site. Achievements of the various forms of mitigation measures that would incorporate a stop to agricultural pollution, reforestation, or increase in the riverbank vegetation cover, or sediments, will be very useful in enhancing the ecological stream health.

Referring to the problems stated above and the strategies, Frogger’s Creek can continue to harbor productive and various macroinvertebrates. This shall assist in enhancing the key ecological factors relating to the water in the stream in as much as it regards salmon and other forms of life within the water pan. All this must be done in order not only to maintain the local wildlife and plants at favorable conditions but also to maintain the balance of plants and animals in the given geographical area. Thus, perhaps, diseases of streams and adequate habitat management could be learned through the active management and protection of Frogger’s Creek.

References

Ehsan, U., & Riedl, M. O. (2020). Human-centered explainable AI: Towards a reflective sociotechnical approach. In HCI International 2020-Late Breaking Papers: Multimodality and Intelligence: 22nd HCI International Conference, HCII 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 19–24, 2020, Proceedings 22 (pp. 449-466). Springer International Publishing.

Gallant, J. R., & O’Connell, L. A. (2020). Studying convergent evolution to relate genotype to behavioral phenotype. Journal of Experimental Biology, 223(Suppl_1), jeb213447.

Marín-Lora, C., Cercós, A., Chover, M., & Sotoca, J. M. (2020). The first step is to specify arcade games as multi-agent systems. In Trends and Innovations in Information Systems and Technologies: Volume 1 8 (pp. 369-379). Springer International Publishing.

Pašukonis, A., Serrano-Rojas, S. J., Fischer, M. T., Loretto, M. C., Shaykevich, D. A., Rojas, B., … & O’Connell, L. A. (2022). Contrasting parental roles shape sex differences in poison frog space use but not navigational performance. Elife, 11, e80483.

Tsividis, P. A., Loula, J., Burga, J., Foss, N., Campero, A., Pouncy, T., … & Tenenbaum, J. B. (2021). Human-level reinforcement learning through theory-based modeling, exploration, and planning. arXiv preprint arXiv:2107.12544.

Young, C. E. F., & Castro, B. S. (2021). Financing mechanisms to bridge the resource gap to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in Brazil. Ecosystem Services, 50, 101321.