Stream Macroinvertebrates

Importance / Issues

Invertebrate community taxa richness and composition in streams was identified as a high priority that should be considered for implementation, but because the identification of invertebrate taxa requires specialized training or a specialty laboratory (Moulton et al. 2002a, 2002b), we will not be including this vital sign in the initial development of the NETN monitoring plan. Invertebrates may provide a "first response" vital sign because of their rapid response to changes in the physical and chemical structure of the stream environment, but because we will be monitoring these stream variables in the Water Chemistry Vital Sign, the monitoring of the invertebrate community is considered secondary.

Protocol Development & Status

Not Presently Available

Potential Measures

Diversity of selected communities and subcommunities

Preliminary Monitoring Objective

Not Presently Available

Contact Information

NPS lead: Brian R. Mitchell

References

Moulton, S. R., J. G. Kennen, R. M. Goldstein, and J. A. Hambrooke. 2002a. Revised methods for sampling algae, invertebrate, and fish communities as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program. U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-150. 75 pp.