NEON Prototype Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Data from D03 Ichawanochaway Creek (ICHA), 2015

Benthic invertebrates at NEON aquatic sites are sampled using a percent-based macrohabitat approach (after Moulton et al. 2002). Habitats sampled focus on riffles, runs, pools, and step pools depending on the percent cover of each habitat within each 1 km-long NEON Aquatic wadeable stream site. Five samples are collected in the dominant habitat type, and three samples are collected in the second-most dominant habitat type for a total of eight samples on a given sampling date at a site. The sampler type chosen differs depending on the water depth, velocity, and substratum type in the chosen habitat (Hauer and Resh 2006). The collection method may differ depending on the habitat and substrate being sampled, however all samples are collected from the surface of the natural substratum in each habitat using a quantitative sampling method. Macroinvertebrate sampling occurs three times per year. Timing of sampling is site-specific and determined based on historical hydrological and meteorological data. Sample bout 1 is an early season date, representing a period of rapid biomass accumulation after winter, typically prior to leaf out or ice-off where applicable. Sample bout 2 targets mid-summer baseflow conditions and sample bout 3 represents the late growing season (typically autumn) during leaf-fall where applicable.