Collecting and Identifying Benthic Macro-invertebrates for Water Quality Assessment

Philippe Cousteau joins students from Petersburg Elementary to learn about benthic macroinvertebrates and their importance in assessing water quality. The students demonstrate how to collect these organisms using a kick net and then sort and identify them with a dichotomous key. The process involves checking for characteristics like shells, legs, and tails to determine the type of macroinvertebrate. This hands-on activity highlights the fun and educational aspects of science.

What is the primary role of benthic macroinvertebrates in water ecosystems?

• They clean the water by filtering it.

• They help in judging water quality.

• They are a food source for fish.

• They provide oxygen to the water.

What tool do the students use to collect benthic macroinvertebrates?

• A water pump

• A fishing rod

• A kick net

• A magnifying glass

Why is it important to scrub the same rock repeatedly during the collection process?

• To make the water clearer

• To ensure the rock is not damaged

• To prevent macroinvertebrates from hiding under it

• To clean the rock for better visibility

What is a dichotomous key used for in the identification process?

• To determine the age of macroinvertebrates

• To count the number of macroinvertebrates

• To identify macroinvertebrates based on characteristics

• To measure the size of macroinvertebrates

Which of the following characteristics is NOT used to identify a macroinvertebrate?

• Color of the body

• Number of legs

• Presence of a shell

• Presence of a tail