Benthic Monitoring Program
Crowe Valley Conservation Authority has reinstated the benthic monitoring program in the watershed to assess and monitor water quality. Benthic monitoring consists of selected sampling sites throughout the entire watershed. At each site, it is assessed based on the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP) and Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN). Sampling is conducted during the summer and fall months.
Benthic macroinvertebrates, or Benthos, are organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of water bodies. This includes organisms inhabiting both running and standing waters. Benthic organisms are generally visible to the naked eye and play a variety of important roles in the aquatic ecosystem. Macroinvertebrates are used as biological indicators because they can determine changes in habitat and water quality and are also reliable and sensitive indicators to any changes in the aquatic environment.
There are many species across numerous orders and families for benthic organisms. The most common order of macroinvertebrates found in the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority watershed includes:
- Turbellaria (flatworms)
- Isopoda (Sow Bugs)
- Pelecycpoda (Clams & Mussels)
- Amphipoda (Scuds)
- Decapoda (Crayfish)
- Trombidiformes-Hydracarina (Mites)
- Ephemeroptera (Mayflies)
- Anisoptera (Dragonflies)
- Zygoptera (Damselflies)
- Plecoptera (Stoneflies)
- Megaloptera (Fishflies, Alderflies)
- Trichoptera (Caddisflies)
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Simuliidae (Black flies)