Appalachian Watershed & Stream Monitors Curriculum Activity
Updated July 27, 2012 by Kevin Stitzinger
Activity Title: Introduction to Stream Sampling
Goal: To help students understand what scientists and general public look
for when they monitor a stream, and why the selected variables are
important.
Overview: This activity can be presented as a guided homework
assignment, assigned for small groups, or presented to the whole group
during class. As the “Introduction to Stream Sampling” is viewed students
will complete the attached Concept Questions Worksheet.
Set up:
 Introduce the life cycle of benthic macroinvertebrates and
vocabulary that may be new to your students.
 Guide students to the website http://www.cacaponinstitute.org/e_classroom.htm and the
appropriate e- school room. Then click on the “BMIs” poster. Finally
click on “Introduction to Stream Sampling.”
 Distribute the attached Concept Questions Worksheet.
 NOTE: Correct answers are included at the bottom of the
document.
Activity:
Students page through the Introduction to Benthic Macroinvertebrates
slideshow and answer concept questions to gain familiarity with the topic.
Related WV CSO’s:
Tools and Materials:
 Pencils
 Concept Questions
Worksheet
 One or more
computer(s)
connected to the
Internet, depending
on presentation
style.
Appalachian Watershed & Stream Monitors Curriculum Activity
Updated July 27, 2012 by Kevin Stitzinger
Introduction to Stream Sampling: Concept Questions Worksheet:
1.
What does the data we collect during a stream sampling program help us to understand?
__________________________________________________________________________
2.
To determine the health of a stream, what three aspects of the stream do you need to study?
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________
c. ___________________________
3.
What is the ideal number of parts per million of dissolved oxygen for a healthy mountain stream?
__________________________________________________________________________
4.
What is the ideal number for pH within a healthy mountain stream?
__________________________________________________________________________
5.
When sampling a cold mountain stream, what is the maximum temperature you would hope to find?
__________________________________________________________________________
6.
Why is it important for a mountain stream to have rocks of many sizes?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7.
Why is it a problem to have too much fine sediment, such as sand or silt, coating the bottom of a
mountain stream?
__________________________________________________________________________
8.
Why is organic matter that falls into streams, such as leaves and twigs, important to organisms living in a
mountain stream?
__________________________________________________________________________
9.
What is the best part of a mountain stream to catch benthic macroinvertebrates?
__________________________________________________________________________
10. Which three benthic macroinvertebrates are indicators of healthy mountain stream conditions?
__________________________________________________________________________
11. What about the benthic macroinvertebrates you just listed makes their presence a good indicator of
stream quality?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Appalachian Watershed & Stream Monitors Curriculum Activity
Updated July 27, 2012 by Kevin Stitzinger
ANSWERS: Introduction to Stream Sampling: Concept Questions
Worksheet:
1. What does the data we collect during a stream sampling program help us to understand?
A. How stream ecosystems function and our own environmental impact.
2. To determine the health of a stream, what three aspects of the stream do you need to study?
A. Chemical data, the stream bottom, and benthic macroinvertebrates.
3. What is the ideal number of parts per million of dissolved oxygen for a healthy mountain
stream?
A. 7ppm or more
4. What is the ideal number for pH within a healthy mountain stream?
A. Between 6 and 9.
5. When sampling a cold mountain stream, what is the maximum temperature you would hope to
find?
A. 21 degrees C , 70 degrees F.
6. Why is it important for a mountain stream to have rocks of many sizes?
A. Gaps between rocks offer hiding and living space which is a critical component of BMI habitat.
7. Why is it a problem to have too much fine sediment, such as sand or silt, coating the bottom of a
mountain stream?
A. It fills the spaces BMIs need to survive.
8. Why is organic matter that falls into streams, such as leaves and twigs, important to organisms
living in a mountain stream?
A. Organic debris provides food and habitat.
9. What is the best part of a mountain stream to catch benthic macroinvertebrates?
A. Amongst riffles.
10. Which three benthic macroinvertebrates are indicators of healthy mountain stream conditions?
A. Stoneflies, Mayflies, Caddisflies
11. What about these benthic macroinvertebrates makes their presence a good indicator of
pollution in mountain streams?
A. They are sensitive to pollution and cannot survive well, if at all, in streams with polluted
water .