Aquatic Predator Project
What We Did
This chart shows the data we have collected about what the difference is between the macroinvertebrates and the water quality in different parts of the stream. We have taken two different streams, and collected data from streams to compare what macroinvertebrates there are in the different water quality.
| Descripiton of Area | Predator Name | Water quality | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow; Lots of brush | Ameletiel minnow Mayfly | 6ph | 5-9-17 |
| Narrow; Lots of brush | Common Stonefly0 | 6px | 5-9-17 |
| Narrow; Lots of brush | Hellgrammites | 6ph | 5-9-17 |
| Narrow; Lots of brush | Whirlygig | 6ph | 5-9-17 |
| Deep Wide Rocky | Narrow Winged Damselfly | 7ph | 5-11-17 |
| Deep Wide Rocky | Skimmer Dragonfly | 7ph | 5-11-17 |
Aquatic Predator Project
Our question id:How do predators affect water quality and how does it affect them?
Who is doing what:
Both:
1. Testing water quality
2. Counting predators
Materials:
1. Water testing kit
2. Predator identification book
How will we collect the data:
We used the table above to record our research.
Water Quality
Only specific macroinvertebrates can survive in different types of water quality. Some are tolerant to any pollution that may be in the stream. But some macroinvertebrates will die the second that any type of pollution enters the water. We’ve noticed that most of the macroinvertebrates that we found were intolerant to pollution.
When we went to the field, we really wanted to see what types of predators we could find in the different natural stream environments. This study is important because it shows the balance between predators and prey on the food chain. This is also important because when we researched the islands online, we did not find much information. So our research will change lack of information online.
• The hellgrammite ate the minnow mayfly and multiple small winter stoneflies
• The hellgrammite ate other predators.
• The hellgrammite looks like a scorpion when it eats.
We were wondering if a predator would eat a predator. So we scooped the Hellgrammite into a small plastic cup with water from the stream, and put a small winter stonefly into the cup with the Hellgrammite. The Hellgrammite gladly ate the little predator. So in conclusion, predators eat predators.
We found the macroinvertebrates by shoving a small net under the water. We found more animals under the protection of the plants in the water.
