A Comparison Among Three Sampling Methods to Calculate Biotic Integrity in the Greater Blue Earth River Basin
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2008 1:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2008 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
The Blue Earth River watershed in south central Minnesota has been dramatically impacted by the surrounding land use. Consequently, high sediment loads and degraded water quality are the outcomes. To gauge stream health, benthic macroinvertebrates and ichthyofauna (fish) may be utilized as biotic indicators because they respond to changes, both positive and negative, in the aquatic environment. We compared fish and macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) methods at several different sites within the Blue Earth River watershed to determine if one method could serve as an efficient and reliable technique. Macroinvertebrates were collected using Hester-Dendy artificial substrate samplers and d-frame dipnets. Fish were collected by fall electrofishing. Data were analyzed and IBIs were calculated using the EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol. Early results suggest that IBI values are significantly different among the three methods and that macroinvertebrate IBIs are more practical to use when comparing a wide variety of stream orders.
A Comparison Among Three Sampling Methods to Calculate Biotic Integrity in the Greater Blue Earth River Basin
CSU Ballroom
The Blue Earth River watershed in south central Minnesota has been dramatically impacted by the surrounding land use. Consequently, high sediment loads and degraded water quality are the outcomes. To gauge stream health, benthic macroinvertebrates and ichthyofauna (fish) may be utilized as biotic indicators because they respond to changes, both positive and negative, in the aquatic environment. We compared fish and macroinvertebrate Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) methods at several different sites within the Blue Earth River watershed to determine if one method could serve as an efficient and reliable technique. Macroinvertebrates were collected using Hester-Dendy artificial substrate samplers and d-frame dipnets. Fish were collected by fall electrofishing. Data were analyzed and IBIs were calculated using the EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol. Early results suggest that IBI values are significantly different among the three methods and that macroinvertebrate IBIs are more practical to use when comparing a wide variety of stream orders.
Recommended Citation
Fett, James H.. "A Comparison Among Three Sampling Methods to Calculate Biotic Integrity in the Greater Blue Earth River Basin." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2008.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2008/poster-session-B/5
