Dam impacts on stream macroinvertebrate communitities
Start Date
29-4-2022 2:15 PM
Location
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
Abstract
Aquatic macroinvertebrates are integral to stream ecology and health, as they provide a fundamental link between organic matter and fish in the food web. Macroinvertebrates are sensitive to physical, chemical, and biological changes in the environment making them good indicators of overall stream health. Anthropogenic activities, like the presence and maintenance of dams, can disturb aquatic ecosystems. Macroinvertebrates can be used to monitor the stream response to such activities. The main objective of this study was to assess structural and functional differences in the macroinvertebrate community upstream and downstream of a small dam. Macroinvertebrates were collected from riffle substrates (n=4) at one upstream and two downstream locations in relation to Kreis dam on Sharon Creek, Ohio, in fall 2021. Temperature and depth were measured at each riffle location to better characterize these habitats. Preliminary results indicated that macroinvertebrate abundance was highest upstream of the dam, whereas, diversity was lowest. Higher structural and functional diversity was also observed at both downstream dam locations. No correlation between temperature and macroinvertebrate diversity were observed, however, a positive correlation between depth and diversity was seen. These baseline data will be useful assessing future dredging and management impacts planned for this watershed.
Dam impacts on stream macroinvertebrate communitities
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
Aquatic macroinvertebrates are integral to stream ecology and health, as they provide a fundamental link between organic matter and fish in the food web. Macroinvertebrates are sensitive to physical, chemical, and biological changes in the environment making them good indicators of overall stream health. Anthropogenic activities, like the presence and maintenance of dams, can disturb aquatic ecosystems. Macroinvertebrates can be used to monitor the stream response to such activities. The main objective of this study was to assess structural and functional differences in the macroinvertebrate community upstream and downstream of a small dam. Macroinvertebrates were collected from riffle substrates (n=4) at one upstream and two downstream locations in relation to Kreis dam on Sharon Creek, Ohio, in fall 2021. Temperature and depth were measured at each riffle location to better characterize these habitats. Preliminary results indicated that macroinvertebrate abundance was highest upstream of the dam, whereas, diversity was lowest. Higher structural and functional diversity was also observed at both downstream dam locations. No correlation between temperature and macroinvertebrate diversity were observed, however, a positive correlation between depth and diversity was seen. These baseline data will be useful assessing future dredging and management impacts planned for this watershed.
