Water Canaries:
Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Unit Summary:
In a national park, students will collect benthic macroinvertebrates from streams with nets, classify and identify them. Prior to the field study, students act out a play that portrays macroinvertebrates as “water canaries,” or early warning signals of decreasing water quality. They will use the BTW Website to identify macroinvertebrates they might find in the park. After the field study students analyze and report their real-time data, reflect on their park experience, and assess their group’s performance. By using macroinvertebrates as water quality indicators, students will gain firsthand knowledge of how to determine stream health. This knowledge serves to engage students in further investigating issues associated with water quality, and will allow them to pursue service projects like joining a local stream monitoring group to examine the health of streams in their own community.
Field Study Locations:
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- George Washington Memorial Parkway
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Monocacy National Battlefield
- National Capital Parks - East
- Prince William Forest Park
- Rock Creek National Park
Resources:
- Macro-Invertebrate Identification is an interactive lesson that helps students identify benthic macroinvertebrates using key characteristics. It also emphasizes the special adaptations each has to its aquatic habitat and demonstrates how macroinvertebrates can be indicators of the health of the stream.
- Watershed Timeline covers major Potomac Watershed events dating back to the 1500s.
- Watershed Glossary provides definitions and photos for key terminology.
- Preparing for a Field Study provides students with important information on what they must do to ensure a successful and enjoyable field study, including what to wear, bringing a lunch, and other tips on preparing for the day.