Stream Ecology

and
Macroinvertebrate
 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
 Sun

Leaves Microbes Algae

(fungi, bacteria)

Smaller leaf particles

Collectors/ Gatherers Grazers/ Scrapers

Shredders
(caddisflies, water pennies,
(black flies, net-spinning
(crane flies, some caddisflies and
caddisflies, mayflies, midges) midges, and mayflies)
stoneflies, sowbugs, and scuds)

Predators
(Dobson flies, dragonflies/ ”hellgrammites”)

Source: A. Berkowitz, posted by T. Meyers

http://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/LPNmanual/2_BackgroundInformation.pdf
 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)
 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)
 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
Trichoptera Biology
 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
 Selected Major

Shredders Roles
Taxa Order/Family TV Density TxD
Mayflies Ephemeroptera 2 16 32
Stoneflies Plecoptera 1 14 14
Caddisflies Tricoptera 3 142 426
Chironomidae,

• Ecological/Trophic
Midges - White Diptera 6 2 12
Chironomidae,
Midges - Red Diptera 8 0 0

– Leaf litter breakdown Beetles

Aquatic Worms
Coleoptera

Oligochaeta
4

8
6

2
24

16
• CPOMFPOM Crane Flies Tipulidae, Diptera 3 3 9
– Course Particulate Organic Matter Black Flies Simuliidae, Diptera 6 5 30
– Fine Particulate Organic Matter
Snipeflies Anthericidae, Diptera 2 3 6

• Human Impact Other Flies

Dragon/Damselfli
Diptera 6 0 0

• Predators (Trout, etc) es

Hellgramites
Odonnata

Megaloptera
5

0
0

0 0
0

• Bio-indicator Alderflies
Scuds
Megaloptera
Amphipoda
4
8
0
8
0
64
– 0 - 3.75 = No Impairment Evident Sowbugs
Crayfish
Isopoda
Decapoda
8
6
2
0
16
0
– 3.75 - 6.50 = Moderate Impairment
Snails/Limpets Gastropoda 7 1 7
– >6.5 = Severe Impairment
Clams/Mussels Pelecypoda 7 11 77
Leeches Hirudinea 10 0 0

Density Total 215

T x D Total 733
Biotic Index (T x D) ÷
Density 3.41
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
 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, Pool: Deep, slowly
turbulent moving water

Run: Smooth flowing water, medium water speed

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

Natural Artificial