In the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Laboratory (BMI Lab), we work on sorting, identifying, and analyzing data collected on benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) from creeks, streams and rivers throughout the northern Sierra Nevada range. BMI are indicators that allow us to understand the health of the water ecosystem, like a canary in a coal mine. For example, certain BMI will be absent in a creek that has high nutrient input, whilst others will thrive in this environment. Stoneflies have a very low tolerance for pollutants, so if the creek supports a thriving stonefly population, water quality must have been good for some time. By studying which BMI are present and absent, we can build up a long term picture of the health of our waterways. We have volunteers and interns that help our staff and we do fee for service work too. Want more information? Email us at bugs@sierrastreamsinstitute.org!
What is a benthic macroinvertebrate?
A BMI is an animal without a backbone – invertebrate – that we can see with our naked eye – macro – who completes at least some of their life cycle on or in the substrate of an aquatic habitat – benthic.
What are we currently up to?
Since 2001, Sierra Streams Institute has monitored the length of Deer Creek and Bear River. We survey every June and October, taking samples from numerous sites across these two waterways and ID BMI collected to the highest possible taxon. This provides a fantastic data set, both spatially and temporally, so we can understand long term impacts on the waterways.
The State of California has a huge project where they want a DNA barcode of every organism in the state. A DNA barcode is a piece of DNA that is unique for each species. We are working with the State of California to provide a DNA barcode sequence for BMI in the northern Sierra Nevada watersheds. Freshwater invertebrates are often overlooked when gathering species information in ecosystems and so we are providing invaluable data for understanding California’s rich biodiversity.
The BMI Lab also helps to study the impacts of restoration projects. We have in-house restoration efforts that require BMI monitoring, like our riverbank restoration project at the BEALE Airforce Base, and external projects, such as the restoration of an acid mine. By establishing a baseline and then monitoring the changes in the BMI community as these projects develop, we can see what impact these restoration efforts are having for the aquatic ecosystem.
Our long-standing volunteers deliberate over the taxonomic ID of a BMI
Timeline of a benthic macroinvertebrate sample
Once the BMI have been collected, the sample is stored in alcohol until it can be sorted and identified. Then we pick out the bugs from the plant and algae matter and sort them into vials depending on their taxonomic order. The BMI are then identified to their highest taxonomic classification using the SSI Bug Book. (Taxonomic classification notes similarities and evolutionary relationships between organisms and categorizes them accordingly.) The data is stored and analyzed in house and is available on request.
Our high school intern searches for BMI amongst the algae and organic matter
Fee for service
We will work with external organizations and restoration projects to identify the BMI in their target streams and rivers. We will also train individuals and organizations on BMI identification. For more information on services and fees, please reach out to us at bugs@sierrastreamsinstitute.org. We also sell our SSI Bug Book.
Want to get involved?
Every first Wednesday of the month we are open to new volunteers. Interns also help out in the BMI Lab during the fall, spring and summer semester. Volunteers and interns can also help on June and October creek surveys. You can find our calendar schedule on the SSI Calendar. Reach out to bugs@sierrastreamsinstitute.org to inquire about volunteer and internship opportunities.
Our long-standing volunteer is ID-ing BMI down to their highest taxonomic classification