Bioassessment
Using aquatic insects as indicators of water quality, volunteers learn more about the health of their neighborhood creeks and identify potential problem areas. While water samples yield a detailed identification of the water at the time of sampling, the density and diversity of bugs in our creeks yield a watershed-level perspective of water quality and habitat viability over time. Community members, local college students, and volunteer groups can help collect specimens for identification.
Thank you to all who participated in Bioassessment this year! I had a wonderful time with all of you and will miss you dearly! Keep up all your great work making the creeks and watersheds of Contra Costa County one of our most valued resources. Best, ~michelleCome out and join us in your favorite creek or two!
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Volunteers collect biological samples... |
...and transfer them to specimen jars for later analysis. |
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In 2011 we will sample in:
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Why choose Bioassessment?
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact your local creek group or |
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It's not just fun... it's science!
Creeks are complex ecosystems that are home to many varieties of aquatic life, including fishes, invertebrates, and plants. In order to assess the impacts of our everyday actions to local creeks and watersheds, we use aquatic insects as indicators, a practice known as bioassessment. Some organisms are very pollution tolerant, while others are very intolerant. By looking at the populations and diversity of organisms, scientists can learn a lot about the quality of the creek. Unlike chemical water testing, which may be expensive and gives detailed information about the conditions only at the time of sampling, bioassessment integrates overall conditions of the creek over time.
(Mayfly photograph by John Gooderham and Edward Tsyrlin)