Comparison of Biotic Indices to Evaluate Stream Health of the Le Sueur River Basin
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
23-4-2007 1:00 PM
End Date
23-4-2007 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Shannon J. Fisher
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
My research was done to assess the stream health of the Le Sueur River Basin, compare the efficiency of using ichthyofauna vs. macroinvertebrate sampling protocols as biotic indicators of stream health, and to determine if these protocols are correlated. There were 36 sites sampled within the Le Sueur River Basin (area that drains into the Le Sueur River including the Le Sueur River itself, along with its tributaries). These sites were sampled using macroinvertebrate and ichthyofauna sampling techniques. Macroinvertebrates were sampled using kick nets at each site. Hester-Dendy artificial substrate samplers were also placed at each site for a 6-week colonization period. Ichthyofauna was sampled by the means of electroshocking. All organisms collected were preserved and kept for further identification. I, along with other WRC student workers, have identified the macroinvertebrates in each sample to the family level, and the ichthyofauna to the genus and species level. I will present the similarities and differences of the Family Biotic Index of macroinvertebrates and the Index of Biotic Integrity of ichthyofauna for each site along with the time and cost of determining each index. I will also recommend the use of one or both of the indices to measure stream health effectively and to save time and money.
Comparison of Biotic Indices to Evaluate Stream Health of the Le Sueur River Basin
CSU 253/4/5
My research was done to assess the stream health of the Le Sueur River Basin, compare the efficiency of using ichthyofauna vs. macroinvertebrate sampling protocols as biotic indicators of stream health, and to determine if these protocols are correlated. There were 36 sites sampled within the Le Sueur River Basin (area that drains into the Le Sueur River including the Le Sueur River itself, along with its tributaries). These sites were sampled using macroinvertebrate and ichthyofauna sampling techniques. Macroinvertebrates were sampled using kick nets at each site. Hester-Dendy artificial substrate samplers were also placed at each site for a 6-week colonization period. Ichthyofauna was sampled by the means of electroshocking. All organisms collected were preserved and kept for further identification. I, along with other WRC student workers, have identified the macroinvertebrates in each sample to the family level, and the ichthyofauna to the genus and species level. I will present the similarities and differences of the Family Biotic Index of macroinvertebrates and the Index of Biotic Integrity of ichthyofauna for each site along with the time and cost of determining each index. I will also recommend the use of one or both of the indices to measure stream health effectively and to save time and money.
Recommended Citation
Fett, James. "Comparison of Biotic Indices to Evaluate Stream Health of the Le Sueur River Basin." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/poster-session-A/9
