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Current project:

Principal Investigator	Project Title
Jennie Sauer	Complete and summarize five annual increments of monitoring data for macroinvertebrates on the Upper Mississippi River System

Annual macroinvertebrate monitoring on the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) was implemented in 1992 under the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP). Mayflies (Ephemeridae), fingernail clams (Sphaeriidae), and the exotic Corbicula species were selected for monitoring. Midges (Chironomidae) were added to the monitoring scheme in 1993, with the addition of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in 1995. Mayflies, fingernail clams, and midges, found in the soft-sediment substrate, were chosen because they play an important ecological role in the UMRS. The exotic Corbicula species and zebra mussel were chosen for sampling because of possible detrimental impacts they may have on the economy and biology of the UMRS.

Foreword

Use of LTRMP Trend Data for Macroinvertebrate Monitoring

The sampling design for macroinvertebrates is relatively simple; however, all potential users of these data are strongly encouraged to read and understand the Macroinvertebrate Monitoring section of the LTRMP Procedures Manual (Thiel and Sauer 1999) that describes current procedures, before undertaking any analysis or interpretation of data. This document is accessible by request from the librarian of the U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603 USA, Tel: (608) 781-6215; Fax: (608) 783-6066.

Summary

LTRMP Macroinvertebrate Sampling Design

The LTRMP conducts annual monitoring of macroinvertebrates in six study areas of the Upper Mississippi River System: Navigation Pools 4, 8, 13, and 26, and Open River Reach near Cape Girardeau, Missouri, on the Upper Mississippi River; and La Grange Pool on the Illinois River. The LTRMP conducts highly standardized macroinvertebrate sampling in main channel border, side channel, contiguous (to the main channel or side channels) backwater, and impounded aquatic areas in each study reach. Sampling is conducted using a standard Ponar grab dredge (Wildlife Supply Company, Saginaw, Michigan).

Sampling is based on a stratified random design and is conducted at approximately 125 sites in each study reach. The aquatic areas serve as strata. Sites include a few locations where benthic samples were collected historically. Each field station is required to conduct macroinvertebrate sampling at the same time each year, before mayfly emergence.

Reference

Thiel, P. A., and J. S. Sauer. 1999. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program Procedures: Macroinvertebrate monitoring. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Revised May 1999. LTRMP 95-P002-2 (Revised 1999). 7 pp. + Appendixes A-H