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| Vol. 24, No. 8 |
June 1, 2016 |
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WSSI Gets Bug-Eyed With Reston Association!
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On March 10, 2016 Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc. (WSSI) hosted a benthic macroinvertebrate identification class for members of the Reston Association and South Lakes High School faculty. Benthic macroinvertebrates are animals without backbones that live in freshwater aquatic habitats and are visible with the naked eye, such as aquatic insects, crustaceans, worms, clams, and snails.
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Reston Association, along with South Lakes High School faculty and students, conduct benthic macroinvertebrate sampling in portions of Little Difficult Run and within a portion of Snakeden Branch that was previously restored by WSSI. These samples are sorted and identified and used to assess the health of the stream using the macroinvertebrate’s family-level tolerance of pollution.
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Reston Association's Watershed Supervisor, Nicki Bellezza, and South Lakes High School teacher Bill Ferzoco examine and identify benthic macroinvertebrate samples.
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WSSI also performs benthic macroinvertebrate sampling in Snakeden Branch, The Glade, and Colvin Run watersheds in Reston. WSSI is working with Reston Association to compare the health of the streams within the Reston area and help the community get involved. |
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Tipulidae (Crane Fly) larvae |
WSSI staff member Ally Robinson identifying benthic samples. |
If you have any questions regarding benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, please contact Ally Robinson or Ben Rosner. |
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