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ABSTRACT MACROINVERTEBRATE LEAF SPECIES PREFERANCE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY. Elizabeth Marilyn Yang Frantz. 536 South Summit St. Smithville, Ohio. The purpose of this project was to find out which species of leaves macroinvertebrates prefer. The hypothesis was macroinvertebrates would prefer Sugar Maple leaves over eight other types of leaves. The Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, Pennsylvania protocol for collecting macroinvertebrates was followed using twenty-seven leaf packs in Sugar Creek. Three data collection points were identified at the site, using nine bags at each site, one for each type of leaves, which were tied to concrete blocks and left to “soak” for seventeen days. The leaf packs were then collected and macroinvertebrates were then identified and counted. The data did not support the hypothesis at all three data collection points. Several factors affecting the data, during the seventeen days the leaf packs were in Sugar Creek, were high water, ice, and tangled lines. The data, however, showed there was minimal affect high water had on this research. Ice and tangled lines on the leaf packs probably resulted in significant loss of macroinvertebrates during the very difficult collection of the leaf packs for the first data set. The data showed macroinvertebrates had no preference to the nine leaf species. Macroinvertebrates seem to be opportunists and will live wherever there is shelter and food. Other relevant research can be done in the future such as finding water quality to help manage this important water resource used, and needed, every day.