mini SASS January 2016 Issue 8 In this issue Featured “nunu” – Stoneflies Pg.2 Howick High School: Leaners conduct a miniSASS assignment. Pg.3 Italtiles’ miniSASS training at the Bloubosspruit Pg. 4 DUCT’s miniSASS community event - Mpophomeni Pg. 5 Water Warriors Project 2015 – Source to Sea Pg. 6 miniSASS on an international level Pg. 7 Dr. Mark Graham’s podcast featuring miniSASS Pg. 8 What to expect in the next issue Pg. 8 www.wrc.org.za www.dst.org.za
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miniSASS
January 2016 Issue 8
In this issue
Featured “nunu” – Stoneflies Pg.2
Howick High School: Leaners conduct a miniSASS
assignment. Pg.3
Italtiles’ miniSASS training at the Bloubosspruit Pg. 4
DUCT’s miniSASS community event - Mpophomeni Pg. 5
Water Warriors Project 2015 – Source to Sea Pg. 6
miniSASS on an international level Pg. 7
Dr. Mark Graham’s podcast featuring miniSASS Pg. 8
What to expect in the next issue Pg. 8
www.wrc.org.zawww.dst.org.za
Stoneflies
Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaClass: Insecta
January 2016 Issue 8
2
Interesting facts about Stoneflies
Physical FeaturesStoneflies have flat, elongated bodies with a triangular shaped head and long thread-
like antennae, they are identifiable by their three thorasic segments. Another obvious
stonefly feature is that they have two long, multi-segmented appendages attached to
the bottom end of the abdomen.
HabitatStoneflies usually inhabit cool, perennial streams (perennial meaning;
permanent/long-term flow). They tend to cling to submerged matter such as rocks,
plants or gravel on the stream floor.
FoodDifferent types of stoneflies have different diets but most adult stoneflies feed on
algae, lichen and plant material. There are also some carnivorous stoneflies that feed
on mayfly nymphs.
Tolerance to pollutionStoneflies have the highest miniSASS score of 17, this means that they are
completely intolerant to polluted water. They only occur in well oxygenated streams
and rivers, so the absence of stoneflies suggests that the water is polluted.
Fun FactSome species of stonefly can live in temporary streams because when the streams
dry out they stop growing and slow down their metabolism until there is moisture
again.
EGGS
NYMPH
ADULT
LIFE CYCLE OF A STONEFLY
Stonefly nymphs are aquatic
Adult stoneflies are terrestrial
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Howick High School, KZN
Learners, with guidance from GroundTruth,
identifying “nunus” caught in their sample.
“I think my own participation was successful because I managed to collect my own samples,
examine them and upload my results onto the miniSASS website. I have now contributed to
raising awareness in our community. If everyone does their part, we could change our future for
the better!” – Jenna Pike (Grade 11 learner at Howick High School).
January 2016 Issue 8
It is inspiring to see young people excited by
the idea of miniSASS and wanting to be involved.
The site where they conducted their miniSASS
assessment came out with a score
of 6.45 which falls under the
category ‘good’, this is
represented by a green crab.
A group of grade eleven learners
from Howick High School spent a
morning doing a miniSASS
assessment on a section of the
Umgeni River near Howick. This
was part of a life orientation
assignment whereby the learners
were to choose a type of pollution to
focus on and assess. This group
chose to focus on water pollution
and decided to get involved in
miniSASS to assess water pollution.
We would like to thank our young ambassadors at
Howick High School for sharing such an inspiring story
with us. Keep up the good work!!! Does your school
have a miniSASS story to share with our community?