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Stream Invertebrate Sampling 2021

Aquatic insects are strong indicators of water quality and stream characteristics. The streams at HJ Andrews Experimental Forest have high diversity of aquatic insects, many of which are only found in cold streams with pristine water quality. Studies of aquatic insects frequently examine the density and community composition of the juvenile or larval stage of insects and compare communities in headwaters to downstream and responses to disturbances (see database-  https://andlter.forestry.oregonstate.edu/data/abstract.aspx?dbcode=SA022).  Rates and the timing of the emergence of aquatic macroinvertebrates to their final terrestrial stage have also been quantified to explore responses to changing climate and differing stream temperatures (see database -  https://andlter.forestry.oregonstate.edu/data/abstract.aspx?dbcode=SA022).

OSU Faculty Research Assistant Bill Gerth in Watershed 1 with a Surber sampler, used to collect stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_001

OSU Undergraduate student Meagan White rinses aquatic insects from a sieve, after straining out the water from the Surber sample
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_002

Rinsing a sieve
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_003

OSU Undergraduate student Meagan White displays a preserved sample of aquatic insects collected with a Surber sampler
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_004

OSU Undergraduate student Meagan White closing a sample of aquatic insects collected with a Surber sampler
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_005

Close up of the netting of the Surber sampler, which collects insects from the stream water
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_006

Samples from the Surber sample cup are collected in a sieve
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_007

Samples are put into a whirlpack bag where the aquatic insects will be preserved
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_008

A tiny aquatic snail on the top left corner of the leaf
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_009

A tiny crayfish, at the base of the spoon, is part of the aquatic invertebrate sample
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_010

Researchers use a Surber sampler to collect aquatic invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_011

Researchers use a Surber sampler to collect aquatic invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_012

A Surber sampler is used to collect stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_013

The Surber sample cup is rinsed through a sieve to capture any small aquatic invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_014

Invertebrates and detrital samples are scooped from the sieve and placed into the sample bag
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_015

Researchers in Watershed 2, sampling for stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_016

The stream in Watershed 2
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_017

The stream in Watershed 2
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_018

Researchers in Watershed 2, sampling for stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_019

Researchers in Watershed 2, sampling for stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_020

Bill Gerth uses his hand to gently disturb the stream bottom and dislodge stream invertebrates as the water flows into the Surber net
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_021

Streamwater flows into the Surber sampler which catches stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_022

OSU Undergraduate student Meagan White inspects the sample in a sieve
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_023

The Surber sample cup is emptied into a sieve
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_024

The Surber sample cup is emptied into a sieve
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_025

All sample materials from the sieve are washed into the sample bag for preservation. Samples are sorted and insects identified at a later time.
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_026

The preserved sample from the Surber sampler, with detritus and stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_027

The preserved sample from the Surber sampler, with detritus and stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_028

Meagan White adds ethanol to the sample bag before sealing it
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_029

Sealing the preserved sample
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_030

Researchers in the stream in Watershed 2, sampling for stream invertebrates
Photographed by: Lina DiGregorio
Date: 8/19/2022
Photo number: aex_031