What do the Water Bugs Tell Us? Exploring Biodiversity with Aquatic Insects

Join two California State Parks Northern Buttes District environmental scientists on the Sacramento River to learn how to evaluate water quality by analyzing aquatic insects. Chaye Van Keuren and Cassie Corridoni will explain how the presence of aquatic macroinvertebrates directly reflects water quality. Chaye and Cassie will also show you the tools you need to conduct a survey of your own. Get ready to dive in and take a close look at these tiny and fascinating creatures that share our watery world!
The scientists take a step-by-step approach to preparing for and conducting a bioassessment on the Sacramento River, one of the largest rivers in California. This video also contains identification and data sheets that can be printed and used for identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates included in this video survey are case-making caddisflies, free-floating caddis flies, stonefly nymphs, mayfly nymphs, water boatman, flat worms (Planaria), tubifex worms, and pouch snails. Viewers are introduced to how aquatic macroinvertebrates can be used as environmental indicators.
Identification Charts and Worksheets are at the end of the video.
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