Invertebrates as Indicators: How invertebrate ecology informs ecosystem health

January 14th, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Join us this winter for our annual Winter Water Talks webinar series! Webinars are co-hosted by the Water Action Volunteers Program and the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Program.

Description: Biomonitoring is the practice of using samples of resident organisms to determine ecosystem health or condition. This basic concept has been applied to diverse ecosystems, organisms, and stressors. Standardized protocols for freshwater biomonitoring have been established all over the world, including the methods used for community-based monitoring. Yet, how specific invertebrates are selected and incorporated into biotic indices can seem arbitrary. By exploring the ecology of freshwater invertebrates, we can better appreciate their contributions to freshwater ecosystems as well as their role in biomonitoring.

Speaker: Jessica Orlofske is an Associate Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. Dr. Orlofske teaches a variety of courses including invertebrate zoology, principles of ecology, freshwater ecology, and biostatistics. Dr. Orlofske received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and graduate degrees from Iowa State University and the University of New Brunswick (Canada). Dr. Orlofske’s research focuses on invertebrate conservation and environmental monitoring.