Sampling Streams for Benthic Invertebrates

I made this picture of Paola Ferreri, associate professor of fisheries management (left) and Brianna Hutchison, recent M.S. graduate in Wildlife and Fisheries Management, at the former McCoy Dam site on Spring Creek just upstream from Milesburg, Pennsylvania. They are interested in the ecological changes that occur when a dam is removed. Sampling for benthic invertebrates (I had to ask), let's call them aquatic insects that live on the streambed, is just one way to get a picture of stream health.

If you want to know more about this work and other water quality programs and research in the College of Ag Sciences be sure to check out the 2009 Summer/Fall issue of Penn State Agriculture. It will be available in mid-August. If you aren't already on the mailing list make sure you get a FREE SUBSCRIPTION.