Biotic Indexing

= FUN!

(Picking for the bugs and other critters)

Why?

• One-third of the data we’ll get for determining a river’s health is biological

Invertebrates

• Spineless:

• Mostly Insects

• Life Cycle: Many insects start their life in water

• Larval or Nymph

Nymph vs. Larvae

Canary in a Coal Mine

• They are very sensitive

• Some more than others

How?

With respect!– To them– To environment– To people after you

With Care

Get a rock------search it carefully-----grab the critter-----put in pan------return the rock where it came from--------get more-----identify and tally them----- put them back

Careful observation and care needed

There are 2 Indices

• EPT Index (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera)

A measure of the variety of insects.

---AND---

• Biotic Index

Based on sensitivity of insects to pollution