Invertebrate Survey

Today we did an invertebrate study at our lowest monitoring site on Walley Creek.  We haven't sampled for inverts since a Junior Streamkeepers Day with Dave Clough in 2017, but we read over Module 4 of the Streamkeepers manual and even checked out the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation YouTube page to get ready.

Equipment:

• ​invertebrate sampling net
• white plastic tubs (larger than the net diameter)
• ice cube trays
• paintbrushes (for moving inverts to ice cube trays
• tape measure for taking stream width and depth measurements

We sampled three times and found many mayfly and stonefly larvae, which are both intolerant to pollution.  So, the presence of these fragile organisms in the creek means the water is clean and clear, with sufficient oxygen for aquatic life.  It was exciting to find these important little insects!