Macroinvertebrate community assessments in multiple locations of the Mill Creek Watershed, Cincinnati, Ohio
Start Date
August 2024
End Date
August 2024
Location
ALT 208
Abstract
Human activities have had many negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems, especially in urban watersheds. The Mill Creek Watershed, located in the greater Cincinnati region, has had an extensive history of degradation due to combined sewer overflows, pollution and habitat modifications. Recent restoration efforts have also been underway to improve stream health. To assess both negative and positive impacts, stream macroinvertebrate communities can be used to detect changes within the aquatic environment. This summer our lab conducted two biomonitoring projects in the Mill Creek Watershed using macroinvertebrates. The first was an ongoing project started in 2014, where Xavier students have been studying nine sites throughout the watershed to gain insight into temporal and spatial changes in the stream ecosystem. The second project which started in 2022, assessed the impacts of dredging at three stream sites above and below a dam in Sharon Creek. The objective of both studies was to assess overall stream ecosystem health using macroinvertebrates as biological indicators. For both projects, quantitative macroinvertebrate samples were collected from benthic riffles (n=3-5) at each site using a Surber sampler. A single composite macroinvertebrate sample was also collected per site via a time search (30 min) from sub-habitat types (riffles, runs, pools, margins). Field collections were conducted in June and July 2024, with sample processing in the laboratory expected to continue into the fall semester. Data from both projects will provide managers with insight into macroinvertebrate community dynamics and stream health overtime, including potential benefits from restoration projects.
Macroinvertebrate community assessments in multiple locations of the Mill Creek Watershed, Cincinnati, Ohio
ALT 208
Human activities have had many negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems, especially in urban watersheds. The Mill Creek Watershed, located in the greater Cincinnati region, has had an extensive history of degradation due to combined sewer overflows, pollution and habitat modifications. Recent restoration efforts have also been underway to improve stream health. To assess both negative and positive impacts, stream macroinvertebrate communities can be used to detect changes within the aquatic environment. This summer our lab conducted two biomonitoring projects in the Mill Creek Watershed using macroinvertebrates. The first was an ongoing project started in 2014, where Xavier students have been studying nine sites throughout the watershed to gain insight into temporal and spatial changes in the stream ecosystem. The second project which started in 2022, assessed the impacts of dredging at three stream sites above and below a dam in Sharon Creek. The objective of both studies was to assess overall stream ecosystem health using macroinvertebrates as biological indicators. For both projects, quantitative macroinvertebrate samples were collected from benthic riffles (n=3-5) at each site using a Surber sampler. A single composite macroinvertebrate sample was also collected per site via a time search (30 min) from sub-habitat types (riffles, runs, pools, margins). Field collections were conducted in June and July 2024, with sample processing in the laboratory expected to continue into the fall semester. Data from both projects will provide managers with insight into macroinvertebrate community dynamics and stream health overtime, including potential benefits from restoration projects.
