Aquatic Macros & Water Quality Resources

Information on identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates can be found from the following links. Additionally, information from these websites can supplement classroom and library materials to provide insights into the life of aquatic organisms and how these organisms can be used to determine the relative health of freshwater habitats.

Teacher's Toolbox:
Following are some documents, forms, and lessons that were developed, adapted, or borrowed (with permission) for use by teachers:

Monitoring Objectives & Field Trip Proposal

Water Quality Monitoring & the GLE's (.pdf) - Created by Ben Ewing, Hockinson High School science teacher, for the Water Resources Education Center's Watershed Monitoring Network. This document describes the the correlation between water quality monitoring activities (performed as part of the Watershed Monitoring Network) and Washington State's Grade Level Expectations (GLE).

Water Quality and Macro ID Review Sheet (.pdf) - summary of what students are expected to learn through this unit

Sample Field Trip Proposal - sample letter submitted for field trip approval; will need to be modified for your specific situation (.doc - Word format; .pdf - Acrobat format)

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Classroom Resources & Ideas

Know Your Macros - slideshow created to help students learn common types of macroinvertebrates

.pps - PowerPoint slideshow format (5.1 MB)
.htm - online format

Macro ID Practice Sets - The pages below display two sets of macroinvertebrate images. Use the pages to practice identifying macroinvertebrates.

Macro Set A slideshow (online/.html)
Key to Set A (key opens in new browser window)

Macro Set B slideshow (online/.html)
Key to Set B (key opens in new browser window)

Macro Cheat Sheets (.pdf) <updated Sept. 2009> Students can create their own macro ID guides by using simple line drawings and listing some key characteristics for each of the major macro groups. 2 pages; with sample drawings & descriptions.

Macro ID Booklet (.pdf) <new Sept. 2009> 2 pages; blank format (.pdf)

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (.pdf file - 1.1 MB) - Two-page document contains 48 images of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Uses for this document include:

print as reference pages for identifying macros;

print the pages, cut apart the images, and have students sort the macros based on physical characteristics -- has been effectively used with the Macroinvertebrate Sorting Sheets and Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River;

assign each student an image to identify and research using the macroinvertebrate resources listed below.

Macroinvertebrate Ecology (.pdf) - a summary sheet used in connection with the Macroinvertebrate Ecology packet developed by the Maryland State Envirothon. (See online resources below)

Aquatic Organisms & Food Processing worksheet (.pdf) - Worksheet to summarize comprehension and review information found in the "Aquatic Organisms" and "Food Processing/River Continuum" sections of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's Stream Scene curriculum. <-- link to ODFW online ordering information for the Stream Scene curriculum

East Fork Lewis River watershed map analysis (.pdf) - A document developed to help students analyze information on a watershed map developed by Clark County. Other county watershed maps are available from the County's Stream Health webpage.

Macro Research form (.pdf) - use as a guide and summary for student research on an assigned macroinvertebrate; use with field guides or research packets developed from the resources listed below (Online Resources)

Macro ID Quiz forms (.pdf) - forms used by students to prepare their Macro ID Quiz pages; may be adapted for various multimedia applications

Back to Top

<under development> Macroinvertebrate ID Quiz - online quiz created by our Jr. CAM students

<under development> Wanted! Poster - developed as a computer project, but also requires students to research and summarize information in a fun way

<under development> Macro Quiz HTML - use a text editor to build your own quiz using HTML; each student creates or modifies five HTML pages using these sample pages -- not recommended for teachers with large classes or a slim hold on their sanity ;-)

Macroinvertebrate Sorting Sheets - Waterproof sorting sheets for macroinvertebrates developed by the Lamotte Co. and Stroud Water Research Center. The illustrated table-top sheets are part of the Leaf Pack Experiments Stream Ecology Kit, but may be purchased seperately in packets of 6 (about $32) through science supply companies. There are also laminated macro ID flashcards with photos, illustrations, and information about common aquatic macroinvertebrates.

May be used to sort macro images from the documents listed above, or place petri dishes on the sheet and sort live macros collected from a pond or stream.

Back to Top

Field Trip Data Forms

Water Quality Data Form (.pdf) - form used to collect data during Water Quality field trips; form is designed to facilitate data entry into the WA Naturemapping - Water Module database.

Macros Tally sheet (.pdf) - This form is used to count macros in the field (or classroom). It is a little more advanced, requiring a family-level identification of insect macros by the students/volunteers. Using information recorded on this sheet, students/volunteers can carry out various types of data analysis, including taxa richness, family %'s of total, and distribution of feeding groups.

A less detailed survey and analysis can be done using the Pollution Tolerance Index* (PTI). A score is derived based on presence or absence of a select number of macro orders, weighted according to their tolerances of pollution. This works well for younger or less experienced groups. One example of the PTI can be downloaded from the Stream Study website: "Sample Assessment and Record Form." Other sampling forms and variations of the PTI calculation sheet are available from some of the online resources listed below.

*Note: PTI analysis is most appropiate for educational use -- more extensive indices are required for monitoring programs with the goal of diagnostic assessment and watershed restoration.

Stream Width Calculation - our stream (E. Fork of the Lewis River) is too large to wade across (most of the year), so we used the following data form (.pdf) and overhead (.pdf) to calculate stream width using a compass (type used in orienteering), tape measure, and scientific calculator

Back to Top

Field Trip Data Analysis Documents

PTI & OWEB analysis (.pdf) - Using the macroinvertebrate collection forms completed by the students during the field trip, our class data is compiled and totals are calculated. Then, using this macros data, students complete a PTI and OWEB assessment. The PTI & OWEB analysis document, leads students through the process and requires them to respond to some reflective questions regarding the two assessments and their own predictions about the stream's water quality.

PTI assessment form (.pdf) -- modified for CAM Jr/Sr High

OWEB assessement form (.pdf) -- modified for CAM Jr/Sr High

Functional Feeding Groups analysis (.pdf) - Using the compiled family-level macroinvertebrate data from our classes, students complete a FFG and River Continuum analysis. The background information students use for this comes from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's Stream Scene. <-- link to ODFW online ordering information for the Stream Scene curriculum

Macros/Water Quality mini-project evaluation (.pdf) - Used to evaluate students' independent analysis of macros or water quality data.

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** Note: The links below lead to websites not maintained by CAM Jr/Sr High or Battle Ground School District

Online Identification Guides:
The online guides are arranged in order of complexity, from a general guide with broad groupings of aquatic macros to ones with more detailed keys of organisms.

Guide to Freshwater Invertebrates - basic guide to freshwater macroinvertebrates developed by Leska S. Fore for Pacific Northwest water quality volunteers

Catalog of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate - Sorted collection of macroinvertebrate images developed by Jr. CAM science teacher and students (part of the current website)

Key to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

EPA: Benthic Macroinvertebrates - from the Biological Indicators of Watershed Health portion of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency website

North Dakota Digital Key to Aquatic Insects - VCSU Macro-Invertebrate Lab's Digital Key to Aquatic Insects of North Dakota

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Key - Developed for The Stream Study. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, based on material developed by the Save Our Streams Program of the Izaak Walton League of America.

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** Note: The links below lead to websites not maintained by CAM Jr/Sr High or Battle Ground School District

Clark County Watersheds Information:

Clark County, Washington - Water Resources and Clean Water Program: Stream Health. Download .pdf files containing Watershed Maps and Stream Health Reports for watersheds in Clark County.

Back to Top

** Note: The links below lead to websites not maintained by CAM Jr/Sr High or Battle Ground School District

Additional Online Resources:

"Macroinvertebrate Ecology" is a 12-page .pdf document created for the Maryland State Envirothon. It provides a nice introduction to macroinvertebrate anatomy, life cycle, adaptations, and use in biomonitoring. There are other really good resources available from this website, including a nicely illustrated macroinvertebrate key. (Developed for Maryland - may not be adequate for all locations.)

The Stream Study - The Stream Study is based on material developed by the Save Our Streams Program of the Izaak Walton League of America. Stream Study Website Manager: Rick Webb, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrates web page provides some basic information about the state's monitoring program. Of special interest might be the Family-level Key to Stream Invertebrates of Maryland and Surrounding Areas. The key is a downloadable 1.5 MB .pdf file.

The Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River and Key to Life in the Pond are easy-to-use, single-page dichotomous keys developed by the University of Wisconsin - Extension and useful in identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates. You can download .pdf copies from the UWEX Natural Resources Education Publications webpage or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Water Action Volunteers: "Other WAV Materials" webpage. While you are at it, you may want to download a copy of Wonderful, Wacky, Water Critters. This 27-page booklet includes background information on the macroinvertebrates found in the river and pond keys.

"Aquatic Insect Fact Sheets" - Downloadable .pdf files from Creek Connections. The "fact sheets" are nicely illustrated and informative. Creek Connections was developed at Allegheny College as a partnership with regional K-12 schools in Northwest Pennsylvania, Southwest New York, and the Pittsburgh. They emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based investigation of local waterways. Lots of information - great stuff!!

The "Aquatic Macroinvertebrates" section of Oregon Trout's Stream Watch Volunteer Resource Packet contains a "Quick Reference Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates." Other sections of the resource packet provide information about salmon biology, stream ecology, and water quality monitoring.

The Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual contains a useful section on biological monitoring and macroinvertebrates. In particular, Chapter 5 (which can be downloaded in 3 parts) includes information on macroinvertebrate identification and a taxonomic key. Hoosier Riverwatch is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Macroinvertebrate Field Identification Cards - The Connecticut Department of Envrionmental Protection has developed a program called: Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams & Rivers by Volunteer Monitors (RBV). The Field Identification Cards and other resources for water quality monitoring could provide useful information for macro ID and student research on specific macros.

Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates of the Upper Midwest - Available from the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center. A thorough identification guide to aquatic macroinvertebrates. A volunteer stream monitoring guide and curriculum material is also available.

Back to Top

NatureMapping: Water Module - The NatureMapping Program in Washington has a Water Module that contains helpful information regarding water quality testing and provides an online database to submit your data. You can also examine the results of others groups and compare them to your own.

Stream Biology and Ecology - Information on the biology, ecology and scientific study of rivers and streams.

Water Quality Studies - a project of the Washington Virtual Classroom. See what others are doing in the State of Washington and pick up some helpful hints and information about water quality testing. Contains sections on "Science Inquiry" and curriculum ideas that connect water quality to other subject areas.

Ecology Field Guide (.pdf - download by sections) - This field guide was developed by Wolftree, Inc. of Portland, OR, to assist students and teachers in conducting outdoor ecological studies. Sections on "Aquatic Inverts", "Water Chemistry," and "Streamflow & Wetlands" are particularly useful to those studying water quality. Be sure to examine the "Ecology Concepts" and "Field Studies Intro," as well. The scope of the field guide extends well beyond the banks of a stream. Really good stuff!!

Stream Bug Home Page - A site developed by King County Natural Resources and Parks (which includes Seattle, WA). There are some pages about aquatic bugs and their use in water quality monitoring. It's a local (Pacific Northwest) site and contains links to additional online resources.

SalmonWeb - No longer active, this community-based monitoring program was developed to promote "... the use of biological monitoring to understand the health of stream systems ...." The site contains information on the Benthic Index of Biological Integrity (B-IBI) for the Puget Sound Lowlands and a number of useful links.

National Aquatic Monitoring Center (a.k.a. "The Buglab") - The Bug Lab website contains an "Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Guide" in .pdf format. Also, check out the "Aquatic Bug Monitoring" links for information on water and bug monitoring, how to collect bugs in moving water and ponds, and a pictoral guide to common orders of macros.

North American Benthological Society - This site contains information about NABS and its activities. The Education and Outreach section of this site contains an online digital library of benthic organisms, the Freshwater Algae and Macroinvertebrate Slide Library (from which slide sets or individual slides may be ordered), links to other relevant sites, and a video library containing QuickTime (soon to be mpeg) video clips.

The Xerces Society (www.xerces.org) of Portland, Oregon, has an Aquatic Invertebrates Conservation Program. Jeff Adams has developed a regional macroinvertebrate ID and aquatic monitoring guide. The Stream Bugs as Biomonitors: Guide to Pacific Northwest Macroinvertebrate Monitoring and Identification includes a CD-ROM (PC-compatible only) and field guide. The website also provides information and a scaled-down version of the guide.

Washington State Department of Ecology - Water Quality Program website

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Print Resources on Macroinvertebrates and Water Quality Monitoring:

Freshwater Macroinvertebrates from Streams in Western Washington and Western Oregon. Created by Michael R. Clapp, this double-sided, 9 in. X 11.5 in., full-color, laminated field guide includes 70+ pictures of freshwater macroinvertebrates, representing 45 taxa of insect and non-insect aquatic organisms. (nwnature.net)

Macroinvertebrates of the Pacific Northwest: A Field Guide, Jeff Adams and Mace Vaughan. The Xerces Society. This field guide is intended for use as a companion to the CD-ROM: Stream Bugs as Biomotiors: A Guide to Pacific Northwest Macroinvertebrate Monitoring, also published by The Xerces Society. (www.xerces.org)

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Field Guide and Biomonitoring Reference Manual for Students, Educators and Volunteers Collecting in the Willamette Valley. (Recently updated) Text and photos* by Patrick Edwards. Published by Center for Science Education, Portland State University. For more information, email: psu22536@pdx.edu or call (503) 725-8303 or (503) 725-4243. *Several CAM Jr. photos were used in this publication.

A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. J. Reese Voshell, Jr. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company.

Guide to Pacific Northwest Aquatic Invertebrates. Rick Hafele and Steve Hinton. Oregon Trout. Portland, Oregon. (503) 222-9091.

Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring, An Environmental Education Program for Schools. Mark K. Mitchell and William Stapp.

Back to Top

For information, questions, or comments,
email Michael Clapp: clapp.michael@bgsd.k12.wa.us
CAM Jr/Sr High - Battle Ground Public Schools
Modified : 9/30/09

	Monitoring Objectives & Field Trip Proposal
	Water Quality Monitoring & the GLE's (.pdf) - Created by Ben Ewing, Hockinson High School science teacher, for the Water Resources Education Center's Watershed Monitoring Network. This document describes the the correlation between water quality monitoring activities (performed as part of the Watershed Monitoring Network) and Washington State's Grade Level Expectations (GLE).
	Water Quality and Macro ID Review Sheet (.pdf) - summary of what students are expected to learn through this unit
	Sample Field Trip Proposal - sample letter submitted for field trip approval; will need to be modified for your specific situation (.doc - Word format; .pdf - Acrobat format)
	Back to Top
	Classroom Resources & Ideas
	Know Your Macros - slideshow created to help students learn common types of macroinvertebrates .pps - PowerPoint slideshow format (5.1 MB) .htm - online format
	Macro ID Practice Sets - The pages below display two sets of macroinvertebrate images. Use the pages to practice identifying macroinvertebrates. Macro Set A slideshow (online/.html) Key to Set A (key opens in new browser window) Macro Set B slideshow (online/.html) Key to Set B (key opens in new browser window)
	Macro Cheat Sheets (.pdf) <updated Sept. 2009> Students can create their own macro ID guides by using simple line drawings and listing some key characteristics for each of the major macro groups. 2 pages; with sample drawings & descriptions. Macro ID Booklet (.pdf) <new Sept. 2009> 2 pages; blank format (.pdf)
	Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (.pdf file - 1.1 MB) - Two-page document contains 48 images of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Uses for this document include: print as reference pages for identifying macros; print the pages, cut apart the images, and have students sort the macros based on physical characteristics -- has been effectively used with the Macroinvertebrate Sorting Sheets and Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River; assign each student an image to identify and research using the macroinvertebrate resources listed below.
	Macroinvertebrate Ecology (.pdf) - a summary sheet used in connection with the Macroinvertebrate Ecology packet developed by the Maryland State Envirothon. (See online resources below)
	Aquatic Organisms & Food Processing worksheet (.pdf) - Worksheet to summarize comprehension and review information found in the "Aquatic Organisms" and "Food Processing/River Continuum" sections of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's Stream Scene curriculum. <-- link to ODFW online ordering information for the Stream Scene curriculum
	East Fork Lewis River watershed map analysis (.pdf) - A document developed to help students analyze information on a watershed map developed by Clark County. Other county watershed maps are available from the County's Stream Health webpage.
	Macro Research form (.pdf) - use as a guide and summary for student research on an assigned macroinvertebrate; use with field guides or research packets developed from the resources listed below (Online Resources)
	Macro ID Quiz forms (.pdf) - forms used by students to prepare their Macro ID Quiz pages; may be adapted for various multimedia applications
	Back to Top
	<under development> Macroinvertebrate ID Quiz - online quiz created by our Jr. CAM students
	<under development> Wanted! Poster - developed as a computer project, but also requires students to research and summarize information in a fun way
	<under development> Macro Quiz HTML - use a text editor to build your own quiz using HTML; each student creates or modifies five HTML pages using these sample pages -- not recommended for teachers with large classes or a slim hold on their sanity ;-)

	Macroinvertebrate Sorting Sheets - Waterproof sorting sheets for macroinvertebrates developed by the Lamotte Co. and Stroud Water Research Center. The illustrated table-top sheets are part of the Leaf Pack Experiments Stream Ecology Kit, but may be purchased seperately in packets of 6 (about $32) through science supply companies. There are also laminated macro ID flashcards with photos, illustrations, and information about common aquatic macroinvertebrates. May be used to sort macro images from the documents listed above, or place petri dishes on the sheet and sort live macros collected from a pond or stream.
	Back to Top
	Field Trip Data Forms
	Water Quality Data Form (.pdf) - form used to collect data during Water Quality field trips; form is designed to facilitate data entry into the WA Naturemapping - Water Module database.
	Macros Tally sheet (.pdf) - This form is used to count macros in the field (or classroom). It is a little more advanced, requiring a family-level identification of insect macros by the students/volunteers. Using information recorded on this sheet, students/volunteers can carry out various types of data analysis, including taxa richness, family %'s of total, and distribution of feeding groups. A less detailed survey and analysis can be done using the Pollution Tolerance Index* (PTI). A score is derived based on presence or absence of a select number of macro orders, weighted according to their tolerances of pollution. This works well for younger or less experienced groups. One example of the PTI can be downloaded from the Stream Study website: "Sample Assessment and Record Form." Other sampling forms and variations of the PTI calculation sheet are available from some of the online resources listed below. *Note: PTI analysis is most appropiate for educational use -- more extensive indices are required for monitoring programs with the goal of diagnostic assessment and watershed restoration.
	Stream Width Calculation - our stream (E. Fork of the Lewis River) is too large to wade across (most of the year), so we used the following data form (.pdf) and overhead (.pdf) to calculate stream width using a compass (type used in orienteering), tape measure, and scientific calculator
	Back to Top
	Field Trip Data Analysis Documents
	PTI & OWEB analysis (.pdf) - Using the macroinvertebrate collection forms completed by the students during the field trip, our class data is compiled and totals are calculated. Then, using this macros data, students complete a PTI and OWEB assessment. The PTI & OWEB analysis document, leads students through the process and requires them to respond to some reflective questions regarding the two assessments and their own predictions about the stream's water quality.
	PTI assessment form (.pdf) -- modified for CAM Jr/Sr High
	OWEB assessement form (.pdf) -- modified for CAM Jr/Sr High
	Functional Feeding Groups analysis (.pdf) - Using the compiled family-level macroinvertebrate data from our classes, students complete a FFG and River Continuum analysis. The background information students use for this comes from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife's Stream Scene. <-- link to ODFW online ordering information for the Stream Scene curriculum
	Macros/Water Quality mini-project evaluation (.pdf) - Used to evaluate students' independent analysis of macros or water quality data.
	Back to Top

	Guide to Freshwater Invertebrates - basic guide to freshwater macroinvertebrates developed by Leska S. Fore for Pacific Northwest water quality volunteers
	Catalog of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate - Sorted collection of macroinvertebrate images developed by Jr. CAM science teacher and students (part of the current website)
	Key to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
	EPA: Benthic Macroinvertebrates - from the Biological Indicators of Watershed Health portion of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency website
	North Dakota Digital Key to Aquatic Insects - VCSU Macro-Invertebrate Lab's Digital Key to Aquatic Insects of North Dakota
	Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Key - Developed for The Stream Study. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, based on material developed by the Save Our Streams Program of the Izaak Walton League of America.
	Back to Top

	Clark County, Washington - Water Resources and Clean Water Program: Stream Health. Download .pdf files containing Watershed Maps and Stream Health Reports for watersheds in Clark County.
	Back to Top

	"Macroinvertebrate Ecology" is a 12-page .pdf document created for the Maryland State Envirothon. It provides a nice introduction to macroinvertebrate anatomy, life cycle, adaptations, and use in biomonitoring. There are other really good resources available from this website, including a nicely illustrated macroinvertebrate key. (Developed for Maryland - may not be adequate for all locations.)
	The Stream Study - The Stream Study is based on material developed by the Save Our Streams Program of the Izaak Walton League of America. Stream Study Website Manager: Rick Webb, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia.
	Maryland Department of Natural Resources Freshwater Benthic Macroinvertebrates web page provides some basic information about the state's monitoring program. Of special interest might be the Family-level Key to Stream Invertebrates of Maryland and Surrounding Areas. The key is a downloadable 1.5 MB .pdf file.
	The Key to Macroinvertebrate Life in the River and Key to Life in the Pond are easy-to-use, single-page dichotomous keys developed by the University of Wisconsin - Extension and useful in identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates. You can download .pdf copies from the UWEX Natural Resources Education Publications webpage or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Water Action Volunteers: "Other WAV Materials" webpage. While you are at it, you may want to download a copy of Wonderful, Wacky, Water Critters. This 27-page booklet includes background information on the macroinvertebrates found in the river and pond keys.
	"Aquatic Insect Fact Sheets" - Downloadable .pdf files from Creek Connections. The "fact sheets" are nicely illustrated and informative. Creek Connections was developed at Allegheny College as a partnership with regional K-12 schools in Northwest Pennsylvania, Southwest New York, and the Pittsburgh. They emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based investigation of local waterways. Lots of information - great stuff!!
	The "Aquatic Macroinvertebrates" section of Oregon Trout's Stream Watch Volunteer Resource Packet contains a "Quick Reference Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates." Other sections of the resource packet provide information about salmon biology, stream ecology, and water quality monitoring.
	The Hoosier Riverwatch Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual contains a useful section on biological monitoring and macroinvertebrates. In particular, Chapter 5 (which can be downloaded in 3 parts) includes information on macroinvertebrate identification and a taxonomic key. Hoosier Riverwatch is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Fish and Wildlife.
	Macroinvertebrate Field Identification Cards - The Connecticut Department of Envrionmental Protection has developed a program called: Rapid Bioassessment in Wadeable Streams & Rivers by Volunteer Monitors (RBV). The Field Identification Cards and other resources for water quality monitoring could provide useful information for macro ID and student research on specific macros.
	Guide to Aquatic Invertebrates of the Upper Midwest - Available from the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center. A thorough identification guide to aquatic macroinvertebrates. A volunteer stream monitoring guide and curriculum material is also available.
	Back to Top
	NatureMapping: Water Module - The NatureMapping Program in Washington has a Water Module that contains helpful information regarding water quality testing and provides an online database to submit your data. You can also examine the results of others groups and compare them to your own.
	Stream Biology and Ecology - Information on the biology, ecology and scientific study of rivers and streams.
	Water Quality Studies - a project of the Washington Virtual Classroom. See what others are doing in the State of Washington and pick up some helpful hints and information about water quality testing. Contains sections on "Science Inquiry" and curriculum ideas that connect water quality to other subject areas.
	Ecology Field Guide (.pdf - download by sections) - This field guide was developed by Wolftree, Inc. of Portland, OR, to assist students and teachers in conducting outdoor ecological studies. Sections on "Aquatic Inverts", "Water Chemistry," and "Streamflow & Wetlands" are particularly useful to those studying water quality. Be sure to examine the "Ecology Concepts" and "Field Studies Intro," as well. The scope of the field guide extends well beyond the banks of a stream. Really good stuff!!
	Stream Bug Home Page - A site developed by King County Natural Resources and Parks (which includes Seattle, WA). There are some pages about aquatic bugs and their use in water quality monitoring. It's a local (Pacific Northwest) site and contains links to additional online resources.
	SalmonWeb - No longer active, this community-based monitoring program was developed to promote "... the use of biological monitoring to understand the health of stream systems ...." The site contains information on the Benthic Index of Biological Integrity (B-IBI) for the Puget Sound Lowlands and a number of useful links.
	National Aquatic Monitoring Center (a.k.a. "The Buglab") - The Bug Lab website contains an "Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Identification Guide" in .pdf format. Also, check out the "Aquatic Bug Monitoring" links for information on water and bug monitoring, how to collect bugs in moving water and ponds, and a pictoral guide to common orders of macros.
	North American Benthological Society - This site contains information about NABS and its activities. The Education and Outreach section of this site contains an online digital library of benthic organisms, the Freshwater Algae and Macroinvertebrate Slide Library (from which slide sets or individual slides may be ordered), links to other relevant sites, and a video library containing QuickTime (soon to be mpeg) video clips.
	The Xerces Society (www.xerces.org) of Portland, Oregon, has an Aquatic Invertebrates Conservation Program. Jeff Adams has developed a regional macroinvertebrate ID and aquatic monitoring guide. The Stream Bugs as Biomonitors: Guide to Pacific Northwest Macroinvertebrate Monitoring and Identification includes a CD-ROM (PC-compatible only) and field guide. The website also provides information and a scaled-down version of the guide.
	Washington State Department of Ecology - Water Quality Program website
	Back to Top

	*Freshwater Macroinvertebrates from Streams in Western Washington and Western Oregon*. Created by Michael R. Clapp, this double-sided, 9 in. X 11.5 in., full-color, laminated field guide includes 70+ pictures of freshwater macroinvertebrates, representing 45 taxa of insect and non-insect aquatic organisms. (nwnature.net)
	Macroinvertebrates of the Pacific Northwest: A Field Guide, Jeff Adams and Mace Vaughan. The Xerces Society. This field guide is intended for use as a companion to the CD-ROM: Stream Bugs as Biomotiors: A Guide to Pacific Northwest Macroinvertebrate Monitoring, also published by The Xerces Society. (www.xerces.org)
	*Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Field Guide and Biomonitoring Reference Manual for Students, Educators and Volunteers Collecting in the Willamette Valley. (Recently updated) Text and photos by Patrick Edwards. Published by Center for Science Education, Portland State University. For more information, email: psu22536@pdx.edu or call (503) 725-8303 or (503) 725-4243. *Several CAM Jr. photos were used in this publication.
	A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. J. Reese Voshell, Jr. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company.
	Guide to Pacific Northwest Aquatic Invertebrates. Rick Hafele and Steve Hinton. Oregon Trout. Portland, Oregon. (503) 222-9091.
	Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring, An Environmental Education Program for Schools. Mark K. Mitchell and William Stapp.
	Back to Top