BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Biological Assessment collects and analyzes the aquatic macroinvertebrates found in the Arcade Creek in order to assess the creek's overall health.

Macroinvertebrates including stoneflies and waterpennies (found in lakes, streams, ponds, marshes, puddles) eat bacteria and decaying plants and animals to help sustain the ecosystem of the water. Biological Assessment assesses the diversity of macroinvertebrate populations for four reasons: (1) macroinvertebrates involve simple collection processes and analyses in determining the wellbeing of the creek; (2) macroinvertebrates are significant in the food chain of the creek's living inhabitants; (3) different water toxicities dictate the presence of specific macroinvertebrates, which indicate the health of that particular creek site; and (4) over time, the presence or absence of various macroinvertebrates provides conclusions concerning the overall health of the creek.