Our Frequently Asked Questions

• Tolerant organisms are more adaptable and sensitive ones die or disappear
• Macros are more likely to disappear or move to a more suitable environment rather than adapt. Abundances of certain species will appear after certain environmental changes (Most favored answer)

Fish are generally sampled using various forms of electrofishing (with boats, tote-barges, long-lines, or backpack units). Some jurisdictions also use methods that incorporate trap nets or seines, as well as hybrid samples that involve both an electric unit and some sort of netting gear.

For Level 2, you should receive your results within 4 to 6 weeks. For Level 3, you will receive your results 6 to 8 weeks after you have completed and submitted the self testing requirements.

 On classroom days, we will provide some snacks, coffee and/or water. Participants can bring food to eat on the premises during the lunch break or travel to one of the recommended nearby eating establishments and purchase a lunch. On field days we encourage attendees to pack a lunch, although sometimes we are able to stop at fast food restaurants located on or near our planned route or destinations. Lunch plans for field days will be announced during the classroom sessions of the courses.

• "Grab” samples of water sent to a lab or tested with a meter in the field,
• data sonde (oxygen, pH, conductivity) 
• readings (e.g., every 15 minutes for 3-4 days),
• benthic chlorophyll analysis (e.g., scrapes of attached algae sent to a lab for analysis), 
• chemicals in bottom sediments collected and sent to a lab for analyses.

Increased water temperatures can affect algae growth, TDS, decrease species that are sensitive to warmer temperatures

Climate change is predicted to alter stormwater runoff during certain seasons which can increase surface water runoff and increase stream bank erosion, simply habitat and increase polluted runoff ((e.g., nutrients, salts, etc..)

They feed fish and there's a big market for fish, crayfish can be used as a food source, flyfishing bait, certain macros help digest microbes at wastewater treatment plants (midges specifically).

Yes, this will be provided to the person making the payment.

Fish can help determine if and what types of pollution are causing detrimental effects to water quality. The assemblage can also help determine if land use, riparian corridor modifications, and direct channel modifications are excessive.

• Proper land use decisions like keeping riparian buffers (stream banks) intact
• Supporting local watershed groups and nature preserves and public lands
• Considering future proposed environmental policies
• Develop skills to help collect valuable data and contribute on a citizen scientist level

Habitat alterations, land use changes, and various pollutants can and do impact fishes and their assemblages.

Many insects will mate in flight as adults then females deposit the eggs back into the water. Eggs then lie on the bottom of the water column and emerge as larvae or juveniles.

Through our online registration, we accept all major credit cards, PayPal and checks.

YES! MBI is a registered IRC §501(c)(3) public charity, and your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Absolutely. Physical condition is one of the metrics for the IBI in Ohio, which specifically looks at deformities, erosions, lesions, and tumors on each individual fish. The higher the percentage, the higher the likelihood of significant pollution.

Macroinvertebrates like many other animals are directly affected by warming temperatures. Many macros are adapted to only survive in small, cool streams. As this habitat is altered or lost, many sensitive invertebrates won’t be able to live in new warmer conditions.

All species are used as bioindicators. Some metrics in an IBI will use all species, but other metrics may only use a subset. Groups of fish commonly used as indicators in specific metrics across IBIs include minnow species, darter and/or sculpin species, sunfish species, and top carnivores.

Dam removal projects are being conducted across the country to reconnect sections of rivers with oceans in an effort to improve fish populations. Other stream restoration techniques including remeandering, planting of aquatic macrophytes, rebuilding culverts to be more amiable to fish passage, and adding artificial structure for cover are common as well. Conservation and watershed groups are restoring streams across the world, including but not limited to, the USA, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada.

The presence of sensitive macroinvertebrates species indicates clean water.

TDS is the concentration of the amount of dissolved solids in the water. They can include metals, ions, organic, and inorganic matter.

In urban areas and in coal mining areas in particular, parameters such as chloride and manganese contribute to TDS and this increase in ionic strength of water can be toxic to reproduction and growth of sensitive aquatic species.