Macroinvertebrate Community Stream Survey of Campbell Creek, Van Buren Co., SW Michigan

Abstract

Biomonitoring is when researchers collect data on bioindicators (living organisms) to determine the quality of an ecosystem. Commonly used bioindicators for freshwater streams are aquatic macroinvertebrates, organisms without a backbone that are visible to the naked eye. We surveyed Campbell Creek, a stream that flows past agricultural land before reaching the private property where we conducted our research. The owner of the property has built footbridges along the creek. For this study we explored: 1) Whether human disturbances would have a negative impact on habitat quality and macroinvertebrate communities compared to natural disturbances. 2) Whether the water quality of the stream would decrease at sites closest to the agricultural land. A goal for this study is to provide the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy information about the property’s streams to guide future research and conservation.