Beneath the water’s glimmering surface is a unique and fragile ecosystem. Large enough to be seen without a microscope, yet still very small, macroinvertebrates are aquatic creatures that can tell us a lot about the quality of the water without saying a single word. They tell us simply by their presence or absence in these water bodies.
Pollution degrades habitat, and some macroinvertebrates are more sensitive than others. Dragonflies, for example, begin life as an aquatic nymph, living in calm water close to the bottom where they prey on immature insects, such as caddisflies and mayflies. Dragonflies are sensitive to pollution, but their prey is even more sensitive, meaning they both rely on clean water to survive and thrive. Not only do dragonflies indicate good water quality, but they are also at the center of the food web, feeding fish who then feed birds such as osprey.
Beginning in November, join us at Summit Lake Nature Center each month for our Beyond the Summit speaker series, featuring environmental professionals discussing topics related to water in Northeast Ohio. From watershed health to fishing best practices, each talk offers community members the chance to learn from experts shaping the future of our water resources.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.