| Introduction
| Identification Key |
Biomonitoring is the use of organisms to assess or monitor
environmental conditions. Benthic macroinvertebrates are ideal for use in
biomonitoring for several reasons:
- They are ubiquitous.
- They are relatively sedentary and long-lived.
- Some species of benthic macroinvertebrates are sensitive to pollution
and some are tolerant.
- Benthic macroinvertebrates are easy to collect and identify.
Benthic macroinvertebrates act as continuous
monitors of the water they live in. Unlike chemical monitoring, which
provides information about water quality at the time of measurement, biological
monitoring can provide information about past and/or episodic pollution.
Become a Water Quality
Monitor!!!
Kentucky Water Watch Bio-Monitoring Protocols
Links to Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Other links we like:
EPA Rapid Bioassessment manual
EPA Volunteer Monitoring