Macroinvertebrates as Biotic Indicators of Environmental Quality

Macroinvertebrates are used more often than any other groups of organisms when assessing the environmental quality of lotic systems. In this chapter we describe the many ways macroinvertebrates are used as indicators of environmental quality—from the molecular-through the community-level of biological organization. We highlight more recent advances in the use of DNA bar coding and species traits and then describe in detail the most commonly used macroinvertebrate-based methods for assessing the quality of streams and rivers. Two exercises are provided. The first can be completed as a full day project by students or volunteers and includes a laboratory-only option. The second provides the basic background and information for a college-level senior thesis, graduate study or governmental monitoring organization.