DIY Water Insect Testing- Field Test for Reading the Environment From A Traditional Perspective

Source: https://www.bwdh2o.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bioindicators-of-Water-Quality.pdf

This blog post is sourced from our Land-Based Mind Map - "DIY for Teachers" section. It is formatted as a lesson plan but can be used by anybody, anywhere, trying to learn about their local environment through a traditional approach. Click here for more: Land-Based Mind Map | PrairieOjibweEnviro 

Water insects in the mud, shale, or gravel of a creek or lake can tell us a lot about water quality. The presence of or lack of certain species can mean various things about the health of a waterway. Teaching students how to read the environment through this lens is key to Ojibwe environmental teaching and can be a great experience for teachers and students alike.

Learning Objectives and Goals

1. Identify water insects and invertebrates

2. Understanding that organisms have different roles and meanings in an ecosystem

3. Identifying some of the meanings behind the presence of different water insects and invertebrates

4. Engaging with the local environment

Required items

1. Long-handled spade

2. Wide platter or lid with edges

3. Rubber gloves

4. Syringe

5. Tweezers

6. Bucket

7. Soap and water or hand sanitizer

8. Magnifying glass

9. Insect reference sheet (included at the end)

Instructions

1. Identify waterway with some degree of health. Look for areas with water all year, presence of aquatic plants, and shade over the water area. The healthier the area, the more diversity in insects and invertebrates there will likely be for the students to see.

2. Prepare the lid or platter and add extra water to your bucket.

3. Pick up about half a spade full of mud, shale, gravel, or pebbles from your waterway. A mix of all the above is best for good results, especially in an area with some moving water. Testing various areas is recommended with the students for comparison and discussion.

4. Place mud on lid or platter and separate the materials using tweezers and spraying it with water from the syringe.

5. As you separate the materials, closely examine it for insects and refer to the reference sheet.

6. Examine what the insects and invertebrates are doing, how they interact, where the are hiding, etc. Discuss with students.

7. Question students about what they think about what they are seeing happening in front of them. Encourage them to observe and learn from the behavior of the various organisms their seeing. Notice the number, size, and diversity of the organisms.

8. Repeat steps in various areas of a waterway to get a better idea of what is happening.

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Common water insects that may be found in a Manitoba water ecosystem:

1. Mayfly nymphs

- Characteristics: Three long tails, feathery gills along the abdomen

- Water Quality Indicator: Excellent water quality

- Meaning: Pollution intolerant, require clean, highly oxygenated water

2. Stonefly larvae

- Characteristics: Hard-bodied, segmented

- Water Quality Indicator: High-quality water

- Meaning: Extremely sensitive to pollution, indicate pristine conditions

3. Caddisfly larvae

- Characteristics: Small grubs, often build protective cases

- Water Quality Indicator: Good water quality

- Meaning: Generally sensitive to environmental changes

4. Dragonfly larvae

- Characteristics: Large, predatory aquatic larvae

- Water Quality Indicator: Good water quality

- Meaning: Cannot tolerate degraded water conditions

5. Blackfly larvae

- Characteristics: Small grubs with dark heads

- Water Quality Indicator: Moderate water quality

- Meaning: Pollution tolerant, can survive in various conditions

6. Water boatmen

- Characteristics: Swim with oar-like legs

- Water Quality Indicator: Variable

- Meaning: Less reliable as water quality indicators

7. Aquatic beetles

- Characteristics: Hard-shelled, diverse species

- Water Quality Indicator: Generally good water quality

- Meaning: Pollution sensitive

8. Bristleworms

- Characteristics: Thin, reddish, worm-like

- Water Quality Indicator: Potentially poor water quality

- Meaning: Pollution tolerant, indicate potential organic pollution

9. Midges

- Characteristics: Small, mosquito-like larvae

- Water Quality Indicator: Potentially poor water quality

- Meaning: Highly tolerant of degraded conditions

10. Water pennies

- Characteristics: Flat, disc-like larvae

- Water Quality Indicator: Excellent water quality

- Meaning: Extremely pollution intolerant

Interpretation Guidelines:

- Diverse community of pollution-sensitive insects = Healthy ecosystem

- Many pollution-tolerant species = Potential environmental stress

- More pollution-intolerant species = Better water quality

- Less diversity = Potential ecological issues

Ecological Assessment Factors:

- Oxygen levels

- Organic pollution

- Chemical contamination

- Habitat complexity

- Water temperature

- Seasonal variations

Similar resource: https://www.bwdh2o.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bioindicators-of-Water-Quality.pdf