Measuring Water Health with Bioindicators

ECOSYSTEM HEALTH
“The bugs that evolved to live here, they
evolved to tolerate extremes.” –Iain Philips
Measuring Water Health with Bioindicators
There’s something special in our waters and it’s not what you think.
BY AMANDA SCHRACK
A
Amanda Schrack
is a freelance writer from British Columbia
who is passionate about learning and
sharing the mysteries of the environment.
24
WATER C AN ADA • M ARCH/APRIL 2024
1
Due to their complexity and diversity, benthics are
precise and quick to react to adverse disturbances in
air, water, and soil. Additionally, since their life cycles
last between one to three years, sampling (or biomonitoring) of benthic macroinvertebrates means getting
a reflection of everything that’s happened throughout
their lifetime, and not just a snapshot from the day a
water sample was collected.
Biomonitoring across the country
As a result, national biomonitoring programs for
freshwater ecosystems have been created and used
around the world. Canada is no different. After
working with scientists from around the world,
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
put together a program called the Canadian Aquatic
Biomonitoring Network, also known as CABIN.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Living Lakes Canada
GRIMACE, A SCOWL, perhaps a fullbody shiver of disgust. These are the kinds
of reactions that many people have when
they think of bugs. It makes sense. After
all, insects aren’t called creepy crawlies for
no reason.
But, if you’ve ever stumbled across a clear lake surrounded by lush vegetation after a long hike or sat by
a flowing river with your eyes closed letting the mist
refresh your skin, there’s a good chance you’ve been
surrounded by these little creatures. In fact, in many
cases, you would know you had found a noteworthy
spot if you were.
While many may attribute the presence of healthy
fish, birds, and amphibians as biological indicators of
thriving aquatic ecosystems, scientists and ecologists
depend on the smaller, bottom-dwelling organisms
without backbones to help them assess freshwater
ecosystem conditions.
Benthic macroinvertebrates, which include insects
and other organisms that live at the bottoms of
streams, rivers, and lakes, are essential bioindicators
for monitoring the health and change of freshwater
habitats and how they change with the world around
them. This is because, in most cases, benthic macroinvertebrate insects are sensitive to environmental
changes.

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