| benthicmonitoringinfo.pdf |
Monitoring bottom-dwelling aquatic invertebrate communities has been part of the District Municipality of Muskoka’s Lake System Health Biological Monitoring Program since 2003. In biological monitoring, composition of the aquatic-invertebrate community, the pattern of abundances of different species collected, indicates the health of the
ecosystem.
Aquatic invertebrates, such as worms,mollusks,insects,crustaceans, and mites, are common indicators in biological-monitoring programs. These animals are sensitive indicators of the health, or condition of lakes and streams, and different species have different sensitivities to environmental changes such as pollution or habitat alteration. Aquatic invertebrates live between 1 and 3 years and are in constant contact with lake sediments. Contamination and
toxicity of sediments affects those animals that are sensitive. For example, lake acidification is accompanied by both a decline in the total number of species present, and an increase in the abundance of those species able to tolerate acidity.
ecosystem.
Aquatic invertebrates, such as worms,mollusks,insects,crustaceans, and mites, are common indicators in biological-monitoring programs. These animals are sensitive indicators of the health, or condition of lakes and streams, and different species have different sensitivities to environmental changes such as pollution or habitat alteration. Aquatic invertebrates live between 1 and 3 years and are in constant contact with lake sediments. Contamination and
toxicity of sediments affects those animals that are sensitive. For example, lake acidification is accompanied by both a decline in the total number of species present, and an increase in the abundance of those species able to tolerate acidity.