Volunteering with Invertebrate Identification

A great way to stay involved with nature during the long winter months is volunteering with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to identify the invertebrate creatures in the watershed. Every spring and early fall, invertebrate samples are collected from various locations along the river to help assess its overall river health. Samples collected in the field by trained staff are placed in ethanol to preserve them until analysis in the laboratory. The July 2022 FYI includes a great article to explain this process.  

Back in the laboratory, I was able to assist Biologist Erin Carroll, as she used a microscope and identification key to classify invertebrate creatures in the river soil (benthos). 

An identification key is a commonly used tool that uses the physical attributes of the bugs to help classify them. Each creature has unique features that allow for proper classification. Some examples might be wings, mouth parts or gills, antennae, or body segments. Each invertebrate found in the sample must be identified and reported. The following diagram from macroinvertebrates.org shows an example of the key used to identify these creatures. 

The rivers in Southwestern Ontario contain many organisms, and invertebrates in the benthos is just a small part of the ecosystem. The Upper Thames river is home to freshwater mussels, turtles, frogs, fish and many more animals. The UTRCA monitors many of these creatures to understand the overall health of the river.  

This volunteer work was a great way for me to meet people with similar environmental concerns and interests as well as brush up on my identification skills. This is something that I learned in university but do not always get the chance to practice. I always learned something new while helping in the lab.  

This volunteer work is very fun for anyone interested in river health and ecosystems, learning about the biology of river benthos, or just getting your hands dirty in the lab or field. The UTRCA is a friendly work environment that values safety, community and learning! I hope to be back in the lab soon.  

          Contributed by volunteer Carly Sing-Judge