11-18-14
Macro-invertebrates
Larval form. Larva is a herbivore. Lives in water. Adult is a carnivore. Lives on land.
Canaries of the waterways.
Types:
1. Shredders - dung fly, crane fly (larva) 2. Collectors - collect materials and eat them. Black fly, riffle beetle (larva) 3. Scrapers - animals that scrape off algae from rocks, plants, etc. water penny, midge
(larva) 4. Predators - animals that eat other animals. Dragonfly, alder fly, horse fly, water boatman
(adult)
Stream - any flowing body of water
Source (head water) - where the system begins Mouth - where the river ends Water flow - depends upon the slope or gradient of the land.
Source is fast flowing and very cold. Algae grows there. Small fish. As water moves through the bed it encounters rocks, boulders, etc. two ways it will flow through the bed:
Turbulent - expect this higher up, moving fast, white water, circular motion of the water, a lot of oxygen is added to the water as it tumbles over rocks and moves quickly over gradient. Find some of the best game fish. Trout in PA. Brook trout. Gradient and amount of water affect it.
Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water.
Laminar - quiet type of flow. Water runs parallel to the banks. Gradient is very level. Slope is more flat.
Velocity. Distance divided by time in a direction. Velocity of the river will be greatest when the slope is steep. Water always flows downhill.
Speed is distance divided time.