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Effects of Wildfire on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of a Chihuahuan Desert Spring System

Haan, Tara Jo
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1345836591

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, Miami University, Zoology.
Wildfire disturbances affect resource availability and alter community composition in arid environments. Traditionally, fire effects on arid-land aquatic ecosystems are under-studied compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Chihuahuan Desert spring systems offer a unique opportunity to study such effects on macroinvertebrate community resistance and resilience. I took advantage of a rare opportunity to employ a BACI design to observe changes in water quality and macroinvertebrate communities to wildfire in a spring system on Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. The results suggest significant water quality and species-specific response to wildfire. I observed an increase in an endangered snail, Juturnia kosteri, but there were no significant community-based changes. These results suggest that arid-land aquatic communities can be resistant to abiotic/biotic changes caused by wildland fire. With climate change predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of arid-land fires, aquatic communities may be more vulnerable to severe events in the future.
Dr. David Berg, PhD (Committee Chair)
Dr. Craig Williamson, PhD (Committee Member)
Dr. Ann Rypstra, PhD (Committee Member)
76 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Conservation; Zoology
Wildfire; disturbance; macroinvertebrate communities; endangered species; water quality

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Haan, T. J. (2012). Effects of Wildfire on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of a Chihuahuan Desert Spring System [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1345836591

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Haan, Tara. Effects of Wildfire on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of a Chihuahuan Desert Spring System. 2012. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1345836591.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Haan, Tara. "Effects of Wildfire on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities of a Chihuahuan Desert Spring System." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1345836591

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.