Monitoring

What type of monitoring do we do?

Citizen Scientists conducts aquatic ecosystem monitoring on riverine habitats. Our monitoring focuses on detecting and quantifying changes in the aquatic ecosystem and then relating them back to causal factors, such as temperature, flow regime, and invasive species. Our monitoring program currently collects data using the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol which assesses channel morphology and site features, invertebrates, fish and temperature. more...

Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP)

The Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol is a standardized method of collecting stream data developed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Since data is collected in a standardized fashion it allows for the comparison of data between sites in similar habitat types. It also allows for the reproducibility of the collection of data at the same site to allow for a comparison over subsequent years. more...

Channel Morphology and Site Features

Site identification involves identifying exactly where the site is, how to get to it, the size and the boundaries of the site and its spatial location. Site features describes the on-site physical conditions including the riparian condition, the amount and condition of the riparian zone, human impacts on the stream, and other related point impacts. Channel Morphology is the description of the channel shape and form, and accurately describes substrate sizes and distribution as well as bank stability. more...

Invertebrate Sampling

Invertebrate sampling is the collection and identification of benthic invertebrates to measure the relative health of the aquatic ecosystem. Because many invertebrates are sensitive to physical and chemical changes in the watercourse and they cannot easily escape the impacts of thermal, chemical or organic pollution they are an ideal way of measuring the impacts on a river. more...

Fish Sampling

Fish sampling is the collection and identification of fish to measure the health of the aquatic ecosystem. Fish are more representative of a community or zone than a specific spot in a stream. more...

Temperature Monitoring

Temperature collection helps define the thermal conditions of the water course at the site. Temperature also plays an important role in the life histories of aquatic biota and in some cases determines species presence or absence. more...

Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring

Aquatic invasive species are one of the biggest threats to native species in our rivers and streams. Once they enter our system they are extremely difficult, if not impossible to eliminate. more...