Aquatic Invertebrates
The Aquatic Invertebrates program uses applied research and best scientific knowledge to identify and assess vulnerable aquatic habitats and protect at-risk aquatic invertebrates, to ensure the overall health of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems.
Features
Wetland invertebrate biomonitoring
The Xerces Society works to conserve wetlands and the animals that depend on them by developing an invertebrate-based tool to evaluate the biological health of wetlands in the Pacific Northwest.
Read more
We are creating a Red List of the most vulnerable aquatic invertebrate species; our goal is to create awareness and provide conservation tools before these animals decline to a level where recovery is impossible.
The Xerces Society reviewed the use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream duration and provided recommendations of macroinvertebrate indicators that could be used to distinguish between perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams in Oregon.
Western freshwater mussels
The status of western freshwater mussels is largely unknown, although eastern freshwater mussels are among the most endangered animals in the U.S. The Xerces Society is working to understand the status of these animals.
Read more
Identification guides
The Xerces Society has published a variety of guides to help identify aquatic invertebrates of streams and wetlands.
Read more