BUG SAMPLING

Box 1088 - Swift Current - SK - S9H 3X3 - 306.778.5007

valuable information concerning the health of aquatic ecosystems. The composition and structure of the bug communities in flowing waters is closely linked to the surrounding terrestrial landscape. Bugs are considered good indicators because

they are sedentary and are thus indicative of local conditions

they integrate the effects of short and long term environmental conditions

they are abundant in strean ans relatively easy to sample

they are relatively easy to identify to a useful taxonomic level 

they are an important link in the stream food web

many have been classified as pollution tolerant or intolerant

The main objectives of a bug biosurvey are to determine the extent of habitat degradation due to organic enrichment, sedimentation, or other forms of impacts; it may also be used to provide an evaluation of food resources for fish. A bug biosurvey involves collecting and processing bug samples, and determining the community structure. From bug community compostion, inferences are made about the health of the stream at the sites sampled.

leeches

caddisfly larva

snails

The bug (benthic macroinvertebrate) sampling is part of the bioassessment component of the project. Monitoring of bugs has shown to provide

Kick Sample

sorting sample