During my term of service as an AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, I gave over 80 presentations on watersheds, stream health and non-point source pollution. For older audiences (grade 5-adults), I used this powerpoint to discuss using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality in streams. Afterward, they would use a dichotomous key to identify preserved and live specimens.

1. Steve Luell
AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador
WMA 14 – Mullica River

2. • Point Source Pollution
• Pollution that comes from a known source
• Regulated by the Clean Water Act for over 40 years
• Non Point Source Pollution
• Pollution that generally results from stormwater runoff
after rainfall
• “People Pollution”

3. • Examples:
• Industrial Plants
• Sewage Treatment Plants

4. • Examples:
• Litter
• Oil
• Fertilizer
• Pesticides
• Animal waste
• Loose soil

9. Steve Luell

11. • “Benthic” – Bottom dweller
• “Macro” – seen with the naked eye
• “Invertebrates” – without a backbone
Steve Luell

12. • Great indicators of water quality
• Live in same part of stream for most
of their lives
• Some are more sensitive to pollution
than others
• Can be seen with naked eye
Steve Luell

13. Stonefly Mayfly Riffle Beetle
Case-building Caddisfly Hellgrammite
Water Penny
Gilled Snail

14. Beetles
Crayfish Damselfly
Clams
Alderfly
SowbugScud
Crane Fly
Dragonfly

15. Black Fly
Aquatic Worms
Leeches
Lunged Snails
Midge

16. • Jointed legs
• 6 legs
• No portable case
• Branched gills
Common Netspinner

17. • Jointed legs
• 6 legs
• No portable case
• 3 tail filaments
• Abdominal gills
Mayfly

18. • No jointed legs
• Worm-like
• Head protrusion
• Distinct head
• Both ends similar
Midge