Neshaminy Macroinvertebrate Study

Background

The Neshaminy Creek like many other creeks throughout the Philadelphia region is impacted by a number of pollutants. The health of the stream can be gauged by the populations of macroinvertebrates inhabiting the creek. 

Project Goals

The goal of this project is to capture and record baseline data for macroinvertebrates in the creek that can be used for future projects.   

Project Description

Five points will be sampled with a D-frame kick net along the creek through the months of March to November. The invertebrates will keyed out down to genus level and their tolerance score determined by “A Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity for Wadeable Freestone Riffle-Run Streams in Pennsylvania”   

Future plans

The data can be used for future projects such as 

• Streamkeeper monitoring
• Demonstrating the presence or absence of invasive species such as rusty crayfish and New Zealand mudsnail.
• Demonstrate a change in invertebrate life over time. 
• Identify a loss of life during a future event
• Justify stream designation such as HQ for small tributaries (Upper branch) or identify highly impaired areas. 
• Continue collecting data on tributaries and reservoirs. 

Partners

None

Ways to get involved

 If you are interested in getting involved with this project, please email us at  neshaminywatershed@gmail.com