WHAT WE DO
Biology
Using the small creatures living in the Foss to help reveal the biological health of the river.
Life Beneath the Surface
The creatures living on the riverbed can tell us a great deal about the health of the River Foss. Our trained citizen scientists carry out biological monitoring using kick sampling at sites along the river and some of its tributaries.
We collect aquatic macroinvertebrates — small animals without backbones such as freshwater shrimps, snails and the larvae and nymphs of aquatic insects. Because different species have different tolerances to pollution, the community we find provides a valuable indication of the biological quality of the water.
Small Creatures, Important Information
Biological monitoring complements chemical water testing. While a water sample records conditions at a particular moment, the animals living in the river have been exposed to those conditions over a much longer period.
Our teams use professional sampling techniques, sorting, identifying and recording the animals they find. Biological indices are then calculated to help assess the health of the river and identify changes that may need further investigation.
At a Glance
- Monitoring from spring to autumn
- Sites across the Foss catchment
- Professional kick-sampling methods
- Macroinvertebrates identified and recorded
- Biological health assessed over time
How Biological Monitoring Works
Kick Sampling
Discover what lives beneath the water
Teams disturb the riverbed for a set period and collect the tiny animals released into a specialist sampling net.
Identify & Record
Look closely at what we find
The sample is carefully sorted and the animals identified and counted, providing valuable information about the river ecosystem.
Assess River Health
Turn observations into evidence
The species present and their abundance are used to calculate biological indices, allowing changes in the health of the Foss to be tracked over time.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Help us discover what lives beneath the surface and contribute to our understanding of the biological health of the River Foss. Training is provided for volunteers who would like to become involved.