Analysis of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness and diversity of Guilford Creek, Guilford, NY

Analysis of a single kick sample from a 2 order stream in Guilford, NY of known water quality showed slight variation among three 100 fixed-count subsamples in calculating EPT Richness at family and genus level of taxonomic resolution. EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) richness of one subsample varied enough to assign the site to a water quality level below other subsamples when compared at both the family level, but not when compared at the genus level of resolution. Comparing EPT richness to subsample size revealed 100 organisms are less than adequate in defining true EPT assemblages of Guilford Creek; however, smaller subsample size had no effect on the assigned water quality value of the site.