SHMAK stream life – collecting benthic macroinvertebrates in muddy-bottom streams

If your stream has a muddy-bottom or soft-bottom (made of silt or mud), you need to use a different method than if your stream has a stony-bottom. This method still requires a net but you will be targeting different habitats. When you enter your data into the NZ Water Citizens website - https://nzwatercitizens.co.nz/ - you can use the online calculator to calculate a health score.