Question

Based on the data provided for the three stream assessment components, is the overall health and stability of the Little Gunpowder River good, fair, marginal, or poor? Explain how water quality results, physical characteristics, and the stream’s biodiversity and presence of certain macroinvertebrate species support your overall stream health rating.

Answer 1

Macroinvertebrates serve several important functions within the aquatic environment:

They provide a valuable "cleaning" service by scavenging dead or decaying bacteria, plants, and animals, which helps recycle nutrients back into the system.

They are an important food for fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Step-by-step explanation:

the list could go on and on.