Analyzing Stream Health
This site analyzes benthic macroinvertebrate community structure to determine
the ecological health of streams. Participating agencies use this site to manage, analyze and share data from
their ongoing stream monitoring programs.
Benthic
macroinvertebrates, also known as stream bugs, are animals that
can be seen with the naked eye, do not have backbones and live in the stream
benthos—in or near the streambed. They include insects,
crustaceans, worms, snails, clams, etc.
Benthic macroinvertebrates are monitored because they are good indicators of
the biological health of stream systems and play a crucial role in the stream ecosystem.