REPS Invertebrate Taxonomy (Sediment Traps)

As long-lived, ubiquitous aquatic consumers of both primary producers and other invertebrates, macroinvertebrates are a useful indicator of health in aquatic systems. Benthic invertebrate monitoring of tributaries of the Athabasca River provides a seasonal benchmark for the composition of invertebrate communities over the open water season of only 2013 (August, September) that can be compared to other invertebrate sampling methods to compare efficacy. These invertebrates were collected using experimental artificial substrates (distinct from the substrates used in the rock basket invertebrate collection). Sample sites are on a gradient moving closer in proximity to industry to delineate effects of natural and anthropogenic contaminants. In this data set, communities identified to the taxonomic resolution of Order.