Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Creepy-crawly bioindicators

Welcome to the new format for the Weedpicker Journal. You'll be able to access all of the favorite links and a few new ones, and a "cleaner look" with a working comment section. New features, but the same great location at the Flora-Quest site. And slipped in between the new posts, you'll find some of the old favorites from the archives. Thanks for following the journal, and I hope you'll approve of the improvements. Now let's blog!




Creepy-crawly bioindicators

Our Adams County micro-flora foray also included some very cool micro-fauna. Searching under rocks and logs on stream edges is just part of the deal when you hike with naturalists. Many interesting species lurk underwater, or at the waters edge.

We found a Common Stonefly larvae, one of the species used as a bioindicator for good water quality. Ecologist often test for "EPT" Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Trichoptera (caddisflies). These species are bioindicators of a good quality stream.

So don't think of them as scary creepy-crawlies, these aquatic invertebrates are important water quality indicators we should admire and respect!

4 comments:

  1. Very nice! I like the new format. Good capture of John in a compromising position. Also, I think your hand model has such a soft and lovely palm. She should surely get some gigs form this post. :) Thanks for the linking my blog up!

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  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. Wow,a real blog now! How cool is that. You need to work on getting photos from the rear end now!
    See you soon,
    Loopy

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  4. Thanks Guys-

    Janet was the hand model for the Common Stonefly and Dave is a talented photographer, even if he does see things from a little different angle. :)

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