Stream Sampling in Big Cannon Creek
Have you ever been sitting in your bed about to take a nap when all of a sudden a giant net sweeps you up and brings you to a bucket? If your answer is yes, you may be a mayfly nymph in Big Cannon Creek on a Thursday. Last week on May 18 our Insect Ecology class at Au Sable took a trip to collect samples for a citizen science project. Our class was split into two groups so we could be as efficient as possible while also having time to collect some insects for our personal collections. My group sampled Big Cannon Creek, an offshoot of the Manistee River.
A map depicting Big Cannon Creek and S Military Rd, our access point
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Big+Cannon+Creek/@44.584607,-85.0734353,16.54z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x881f895c3bafa3af:0x22c45fef1240f5a7!8m2!3d44.5482639!4d-85.0402199!16s%2Fg%2F11bwfxjnfj?entry=ttu
Before leaving for our trip, we learned about the project we would be participating in. We would be collecting macroinvertebrate samples for the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program, an initiative of the Manistee Conservation District. To do this, we had to follow a specific protocol that was standardized for all volunteers. This protocol included stirring up substrate, collecting it in a net, pouring what ends up in the net into a bucket, and then finally picking through the contents of the bucket on a large tray to find macroinvertebrates, which were placed in a jar containing ethanol.
Excited to be a part of this project, we loaded into the van with all our gear: nets, buckets, trays, and small jars for our own personal samples. When we arrived at the site, we were immediately greeted by swarms of mosquitoes. We quickly got out the bug spray and tried to cover up as much skin as possible to avoid getting all bitten up by the mob of bloodsuckers. Once we felt less threatened by the mosquitos we set up the pop-up table that we had brought to sort through macroinvertebrates on. Two group members started the process of agitating the substrate and netting anything that comes up. Once they had filled a bucket, it was poured out into a large white tray. As soon as the sample started to settle, we saw that the substrate we received was alive with seemingly countless organisms. We eagerly used our forceps and pipettes to pick out as many of the tiny nymphs and larvae as we could. Our professor happily identified each macroinvertebrate and pointed out some of their distinguishing characteristics. As we grabbed more and more insects, I started to become more confident in my ability to identify the orders they belong to. For example, the nymphs of the order Ephemeroptera, or mayflies, have three cerci at the end of their abdomen, while the nymphs of the order Plecoptera, stoneflies, have two cerci.
Image depicting outlines of common macroinvertebrates found in streams
https://theflycrate.com/the-breakdown-on-fly-fishing-nymph-flies/
I find joy in being able to distinguish between similar organisms and seeing the incredible diversity and intricate distinctions between these creatures. Our world is full of so many different animals, and many of them go by unnoticed. Despite the lack of human attention, these organisms are able to live and fulfill their purposes, as events of incalculable complexity occur every moment and everywhere. I find peace and awe in knowing that these elaborate tangles of proceedings take place regardless and need no hyper intelligent being to conduct them.
After half the time allotted was used up, those who were in the river went to the sorting tray and me and another group member went into the river. I was right away struck with how strong the current was and knew it would take a lot of effort to keep the net in place. I did a study at my home university last semester where we had to use large collection nets and stir up sediment at the bottom of a stream, during which we coined the “twist and shout method” of stirring up substrate. I used this method to try to get as many organisms out of little crevices in every microbiome as possible. After what felt like a very long time, we were able to come back to the river bank and help our other group members finish picking out macroinvertebrates from the tray. Once time was up, we were allowed to go on our own to collect for ourselves some of the invertebrates we saw while sampling. I had a great time finding mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, and midge larvae.
Overall it was a fun trip, and I feel like I learned a lot and got some good experience collecting specimens. I also enjoyed being able to contribute to the citizen science project that Au Sable was helping out with. It’s nice to do work while learning and to know that your work will be used as part of a project bigger than any individual person or class.
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