Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-24-2013
Abstract
As part of an ongoing study of the effect of removing logjams to open the East Branch of the Little Calumet River for recreational purposes, we worked with park staff at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore on a study of the abundance and diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates. We used a quantitative sampling technique to obtain samples of macroinvertebrates from five substrates in reaches of the river above and below four focal logjams. Diversity as measured by the Shannon-Weiner index varied with river substrate (sand=1.467, root wad=1.854, wood=1.64). Sand had the lowest average number of macroinvertebrates (92, as compared to 191 in root wad and 140 in wood). We found that Ephemoptera were especially abundant on woody debris, Amphipoda and Diptera were abundant in root wads, and Coleoptera were least abundant in sand. Overall, sand was the least productive substrate, while root wads and woody debris were generally more productive. Our data will provide initial baseline values to detect potential changes resulting from logjam removal. This research project provides the national park with data important to the management of tributary streams within their jurisdiction.
Recommended Citation
Hopkins, Halina and Olson, Ali, "Diversity and Abundance of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Associated with Different Benthic Substrates in the East Branch of the Little Calumet River" (2013). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 253.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/253
Biographical Information about Author(s)
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