Where do macroinvertebrates live?
As macroinvertebrates are found in most freshwater environments, you will find them in rivers, creeks, wetlands, estuaries, dams or even drains. Macroinvertebrates choose their homes for camouflage, shelter and food. A good site has a variety of habitats. Some areas like sand banks and muddy beds without stones, wood or plants won’t support many macroinvertebrates.
Macroinvertebrates can be found in still pools and running water (riffles). In fast flowing water, they may be found on or under submerged wood, rock or stones. Some macroinvertebrates swim in still or slow moving water, while others hide among aquatic plants, or crawl and burrow at the bottom. Below are some habitats you may find at a site. Sampling each of these habitats will give you a representative sample of the invertebrates living there.
Click on one of the habitat zones below to find out where it’s found, what it provides and which macroinvertebrates live there.
Reed zone
Substrate zone
Benthic zone
Deep zone
Surface zone