Chris NagaiChris Nagai

Nick FosterNick Foster

Christen DschankilicChristen Dschankilic

Streams of Science Streams of Science

Pickering Watershed

How We Didn’t Do ItHow We Didn’t Do It

Study ChemicalsStudy ChemicalsPrecise indication of qualityPrecise indication of quality

Brief snapshotBrief snapshot

ExpensiveExpensive

Study fish

Data represents greater time period

Difficult to catch

Collection can damage live samples

How Did We Do It?How Did We Do It?

Study Benthic Study Benthic MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates

PositivesPositivesRepresents good time Represents good time periodperiodGood indication of Good indication of qualityqualityEasy to collectEasy to collect

NegativesNegativesCollection can damage Collection can damage samplessamplesDifficult to IDDifficult to ID

The ProtocolThe Protocol

Systematic set up of transectsSystematic set up of transects

Notation of riparian data, etcNotation of riparian data, etc

Collection of sample with D-netsCollection of sample with D-nets

Randomized selection of insects to be Randomized selection of insects to be countedcounted

Identify samplesIdentify samples

CredibleCredible

Carefully followed protocolCarefully followed protocol Protocol recognised by Citizen’s Protocol recognised by Citizen’s

Environment Watch (CEW) as well as Environment Watch (CEW) as well as Conservation AuthorityConservation Authority

IndicesIndices

% Aquatic Worm% Aquatic Worm

%Midge%Midge

%Sowbug%Sowbug

# of Taxa# of Taxa

%Snail%Snail

%Dominant Taxa%Dominant Taxa

%EPT%EPT

%Diptera%Diptera

%Insects%Insects

Hilsenhoff Biotic Hilsenhoff Biotic Index (HBI)Index (HBI)

Based on these indices our streams can be rated unimpaired or possibly impaired

Aquatic Worm %Aquatic Worm %

Indicates an area with low oxygen levelsIndicates an area with low oxygen levels This makes it harder for other This makes it harder for other

macroinvertebrates to survivemacroinvertebrates to survive A high percentage often indicates poor A high percentage often indicates poor

water qualitywater quality

Midge %Midge % Midges are found in almost every type of Midges are found in almost every type of habitathabitat

A high percentage of midges indicates A high percentage of midges indicates unhealthy stream conditionsunhealthy stream conditions

However, their absence is often However, their absence is often unexpected and can indicate potential unexpected and can indicate potential damage of a stream.damage of a stream.

# of Taxa# of Taxa

A high number of taxa (groups) indicates A high number of taxa (groups) indicates good water qualitygood water quality

This is because in order for a great variety This is because in order for a great variety of species to exist at the same site, there of species to exist at the same site, there must be a diverse range in habitats.must be a diverse range in habitats.

EPTEPTThis index consists of three This index consists of three groups of macroinvertebrates; groups of macroinvertebrates; mayflies, stoneflies, and mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisfliescaddisflies

All three require high quality All three require high quality stream environmentsstream environments

Thus, a high percentage of EPT Thus, a high percentage of EPT indicates good water and indicates good water and habitat quality. habitat quality.

HBIHBI

This index shows the nutrient levels of the This index shows the nutrient levels of the stream stream

It incorporates the tolerance value of each It incorporates the tolerance value of each group to give a snap shot of the nutrient group to give a snap shot of the nutrient conditionsconditions

A low HBI value implies low nutrient A low HBI value implies low nutrient conditions conditions

A high HBI implies excessive nutrient A high HBI implies excessive nutrient conditions. conditions.

GandiGandiGandi Data

0

20

40

60

80

100

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Aquatic Worm %

Midge%

# of Taxa

EPT

HBI

Possibly impaired (5 unimpaired, 2 possibly impaired, 3 impaired)

Midge levels are declining and EPT is rising

River appears improving

Not enough bugs found, therefore technically not valid data

UrfeUrfeUrfe

0

20

40

60

80

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Aquatic Worm %

Midge %

# of taxa

EPT

HBI

This year was found to be potentially impaired.

3 unimpaired 3 possibly impaired, 4 impaired

Doing well in 2007 and 2008

LittleLittle RougeRougeLittle Rouge

0

20

40

60

80

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Aquatic worm %

Midge %

# of Taxa

EPT

HBI

Unimpaired (7 unimpaired, 3 possibly impaired)

River is improving

EPT is starting to decline, Midges are on the rise

River is good, but needs help to stay that way

Box GroveBoxGrove 2004 - 2009

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Year

Aquatic Worm%

Midge%

Taxa

EPT

HBI

Box Grove is possibly impaired (4 unimpaired, 1 possibly impaired, 5 impaired)

Consistently large amounts of Midges with low EPT and poor HBI

Small river next to subdivision under construction

Rainbow trout nest found.

ConclusionConclusion

Our rivers appear to be improving from past Our rivers appear to be improving from past yearsyears

Action should be taken to keep it that way.Action should be taken to keep it that way.

Human activity like construction (Box Grove) Human activity like construction (Box Grove) can be detrimental can be detrimental