Status of benthic macroinvertebrates in southern nearshore Lake Superior, 1994-2003

Benthic macro invertebrate communities are useful indicators of ecological condition for the Great Lakes (Cook and Johnson, 1974; Wiederholm, 1980). Benthic macro invertebrates are closely associated with lake sediments, and are impacted by changes in physical and chemical characteristics of the sediments and of the overlying water. Benthic organisms play an important role in the ecosystem by influencing sediment-water interactions and by mediating the flow of energy and material between decomposers, primary producers, and higher trophic levels. Because of the sedentary nature and relatively stable popUlation characteristics of benthic communities, their responses integrate environmental conditions in a local area over extended periods of time (Cook and Johnson, 1974).