Because insects are found in the majority of freshwater habitats and display different tolerances to pollution at the genus and species level, the presence or absence of specific insect species or genera from aquatic systems, relative abundance, and even bioaccumulation of pollutants in predator species can tell us much about the health of different aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic insects possess a broad range of pollution tolerances that have been determined on a scale of 0-10 to assess relative impairment of aquatic ecosystems. Proper sampling, identification, and knowledge of life histories can help pinpoint sources of pollution, evaluate wetland remediation, and determine which areas should be preserved to most effectively conserve biodiversity. Identifying the flora and complete fauna at a site is also important for understanding changes in energy flow and community structure in site remediation. This process includes developing expertise in recognition of invasive species and knowledge of how they affect an ecosystem.
Tolerance values of insects also have utility in the vector surveillance of black flies because the larvae of these organisms show a wide variation in tolerance to stream pollution and perturbation. By calibrating black fly tolerance values to stream rankings determined by biomonitoring, governmental agencies can make more efficient surveillance and control decisions as outlined by Carle (2015). This method has the possibility of being used wherever black flies occur and stream monitoring is being conducted, including countries where river blindness vectored by black flies to humans is endemic.
If you are interested in hiring Dr. Carle Consulting to conduct site remediation analysis, aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, species level identifications, or monitoring of invasive species, please contact me.
Diana Carle, PhD 