Macroinvertebrates

A macroinvertebrate is larger than a microscopic invertebrate, and includes organisms such as aquatic insects, worms, snails, and small crustaceans.  They live in lakes, streams, and ponds and are extremely sensitive to their aquatic environments.  Because of this, they are widely used in bio-monitoring.  Macroinvertebrates are used in water quality monitoring because they can provide clues to potential problems.   These organisms require and/or have limits as to what levels of dissolved oxygen, pollutants, pH, and algal growth they can live in, so they are deemed to be “water quality monitors”. 

Click here for a report on the macroinvertebrates of the Ackerly Creek. 

What is a Watershed, Water Cycle, Habitats, Human Impacts on Water Quality, Global Water Issues, Macroinvertebrates, Geology, Groundwater