Bottom+Dredge+Protocol

=**Bottom Dredge:**= =Rachel Robertson & Ian Greene= ====This particular test allows us to look at the macroinvertebrates, they are a great bio indicator. This test shows us the water quality where we can look at the critter and see how pollution tolerate they are. Like a stonefly nymph is the best critter to find this means that the water pollution is exceedingly low, unlike the midge larva which can put up with more pollution and less oxygen in the water. Also by this test we see the diversity in the critters, the more diversity the better the water quality, because if it can house a number of things versus one or two the diversity is much better.====

Needed Materials:

 * ====The white rectangle bucket====
 * ====The long handled scooping net====
 * ====Spoon====
 * ====Zip Lock Bags and/or collection bottles====

Procedure in the field:

 * ====Take net find a mucky weedy area prefferably and start to scoop up mud and other debris====
 * ====Dump net out into bucket and look for any critters, sift and search through what you've collected with a spoon.====
 * ====Any critters found take them and place in a ziplock or bottle to bring back to class====
 * ====In one ziplock fill with the weeds and muck you scoop up, you may be able to find other critters in class later====
 * ====Make sure to take all samples and materials back to school====
 * ====When you get back make sure to label and put them all in the fridge====

Procedure for the class:

 * ====Take Samples out of fridge====
 * ====Sort through all findings====
 * ====Place critters in small dishes====
 * ====Use the bio books and guides to identify all the critters====
 * ====Record your findings in the wiki of all the classified macros====
 * ====Set up macros for other classmates to look at and draw====
 * ====Clean up station put macros back into the fridge====

====This being a biotic test the findings can really range from anything. It pretty much matters on what the source of water you're looking at. On all of our field trips it has been very easy to macros. So they is no average reading for this test.====