water quality and habitat in shingle...

Water Quality Water Quality

and Habitat in and Habitat in

Shingle CreekShingle Creek

DefinitionsDefinitions

�� HabitatHabitat

�� MeanderMeander

�� RiffleRiffle

�� PoolPool

�� CobbleCobble

�� SubstrateSubstrate

�� BufferBuffer

Stream InvertebratesStream Invertebrates

�� Much of the aquatic life in streams is Much of the aquatic life in streams is

composed of benthic macroinvertebrates.composed of benthic macroinvertebrates.

�� Macroinvertebrate includes clams, crayfish, Macroinvertebrate includes clams, crayfish,

worms, and insects.worms, and insects.

�� Macroinvertebrates do not have internal Macroinvertebrates do not have internal

skeletons, are larger than 5 microns, and, skeletons, are larger than 5 microns, and,

typically, live on a stream substrate typically, live on a stream substrate

(bottom, woody debris, macrophyte, etc..)(bottom, woody debris, macrophyte, etc..)

Developed by: Merrick, Richards Updated: August 2003 U1-m4-s4

Aquatic insect orders

1215+

Trichoptera

(caddisflies)

582

Plecoptera(stoneflies)

357Odonata

(dragonflies and

damselflies)

572Ephemeroptera

(mayflies)

AdultsLarvae

Number of North American aquatic species

(estimated)

Order

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/ www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

Developed by: Merrick, Richards Updated: August 2003 U1-m4-s5

Aquatic insect orders

1842+Coleoptera(beetles)

410Hemiptera (true

bugs)

4662+Diptera (flies and midges)

AdultsLarvae

Number of North American aquatic species

(estimated)

Order

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

Developed by: Merrick, Richards Updated: August 2003 U1-m4-s6

Aquatic insect orders

55Hymenoptera

(parasitic wasps)

635Lepidoptera (moths)

6Neuroptera

(spongilla flies)

43Megaloptera

(alderflies and

dobsonflies)

AdultsLarvae

Number of North American aquatic species

(estimated)

Order

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

Developed by: Merrick, Richards Updated: August 2003 U1-m4-s7

Other macroinvertebrates

Crustaceans (crayfish, amphipods, and mites)

Molluscs (clams, mussels, and snails)

Annelids (leeches and

aquatic worms)

http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/ http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/ http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/ http://www.usask.ca/biology/skabugs/

ShreddersShredders

�� Dominant foodDominant food

–– PlantsPlants

–– Coarse particulate organic material (CPOM)Coarse particulate organic material (CPOM)

–– WoodWood

�� Feeding mechanismsFeeding mechanisms

–– Herbivores Herbivores -- Chew and mine live plantsChew and mine live plants

–– DetritivoresDetritivores -- Chew on CPOMChew on CPOM

�� RepresentativesRepresentatives

–– ScathophagidaeScathophagidae (dung flies)(dung flies)

–– TipulidaeTipulidae (crane flies)(crane flies)

Crane flies

CollectorsCollectors

�� Dominant foodDominant food–– Decompose fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) Decompose fine particulate organic matter (FPOM)

�� Feeding mechanismsFeeding mechanisms–– Filterers Filterers -- DetritivoresDetritivores

–– Gatherers Gatherers -- DetritivoresDetritivores

�� RepresentativesRepresentatives–– FilterersFilterers

�� Hydropsychidae Hydropsychidae

�� SimulidaeSimulidae (black flies) (black flies)

–– GatherersGatherers�� ElmidaeElmidae (riffle beetles)(riffle beetles)

�� ChironominiChironomini

�� BaetisBaetis

�� EphemerellaEphemerella

�� HexageniaHexagenia

ScrapersScrapers

�� Dominant foodDominant food

–– Periphyton (attached algae)Periphyton (attached algae)

�� Feeding mechanismsFeeding mechanisms

–– Graze and scrape mineral and organic surfacesGraze and scrape mineral and organic surfaces

�� RepresentativesRepresentatives

–– HelicopsychidaeHelicopsychidae

–– PsephenidaePsephenidae (water pennies)(water pennies)

–– ThaumaleidaeThaumaleidae (solitary midges)(solitary midges)

–– GlossosomaGlossosoma

–– HeptageniaHeptagenia

PredatorsPredators

�� Dominant foodDominant food–– Living animal tissueLiving animal tissue

�� Feeding mechanismsFeeding mechanisms–– EngulfersEngulfers -- Attack prey and ingest whole animalsAttack prey and ingest whole animals

–– Piercers Piercers -- Pierce tissues, suck fluidsPierce tissues, suck fluids

�� RepresentativesRepresentatives–– EngulfersEngulfers

�� AnisopteraAnisoptera (dragonflies)(dragonflies)

�� AcroneuriaAcroneuria

�� CorydalusCorydalus (hellgrammites)(hellgrammites)

–– PiercersPiercers�� VeliidaeVeliidae (water striders)(water striders)

�� CorixidaeCorixidae (water boatmen)(water boatmen)

�� TabanidaeTabanidae (deerflies & horseflies)(deerflies & horseflies)

Most Common Inverts in Most Common Inverts in

Shingle CreekShingle Creek

Oligichaeta (worms)Hyalella (scuds)

Cladocera

(water fleas)

Corixidae (water boatman)

Habitat RequirementsHabitat Requirements

�� Shredders: backwaters, overhanging Shredders: backwaters, overhanging

vegetation, leaf packsvegetation, leaf packs

�� Collectors: riffles, woody debris, Collectors: riffles, woody debris,

substratesubstrate

�� Scrapers: rocks, rifflesScrapers: rocks, riffles

�� Predators: clear water, vegetation, Predators: clear water, vegetation,

rocksrocks

RiffleRiffle

Most Common Fish in Most Common Fish in

Shingle CreekShingle Creek

White sucker

Johnny darter

Bigmouth shiner Common carp

Fish Habitat RequirementsFish Habitat Requirements

�� Top of the food chain: need invertsTop of the food chain: need inverts

�� High dissolved oxygen: rifflesHigh dissolved oxygen: riffles

�� Clear water: visual predatorsClear water: visual predators

�� Sand and gravel substrate to spawnSand and gravel substrate to spawn

�� Pools, backwatersPools, backwaters

�� Overhanging vegetationOverhanging vegetation

�� No barriersNo barriers

Shingle Creek HabitatShingle Creek Habitat

Rock vane and pool

Caddisfly nets

Rock and cobble substrate

Native buffersNative buffers

�� Long roots stabilize streambanksLong roots stabilize streambanks

�� Filter stormwaterFilter stormwater

�� Provide bird and other wildlife habitat Provide bird and other wildlife habitat

(snapping turtles)(snapping turtles)

Buffers filter runoff

Overhanging vegetation

Where’s the water?