Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


FarverDawnAnn2004 mt.pdf (2.49 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Exploring the link between Geomorphology and biological integrity of headwater steams in Ohio

Farver, Dawn Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406728348

Abstract Details

2004, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
The goals of my study were to determine whether biological quality as rated by the Headwater Macroinvertebrate Field Evaluation Index (HMFEI) was correlated to any commonly measured geomorphology characteristics or ratios including size of bed material and if the Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI) Score was correlated to the HMFEI Score along each reach sampled. Water quality data were collected to determine the impact they have on macroinvertebrate populations so I could determine if the quality of the biology was tied to the geomorphology, or due to the existing water quality characteristics of the reach. Geomorphology, water quality, habitat and bed material data were collected on reaches of 25 forested headwater streams located in three different regions of Ohio: the Northeast, Ironton and Marietta Regions. A PCA was run on the geomorphology data collected for each site to demonstrate the clustering between sites in each region, and clustering among B-Channel and Riffle-Pool sites. Regression analyses were conducted on variables determined to be significant by a preliminary step-wise regression test. Statistically significant regression results were presented for each of six different analysis groups: All Sites, Northeast Sites, Ironton Sites, Marietta Sites, B-Channel Sites, and Riffle-Pool Sites. The results that explained the highest percent of variability were when pH and depth were entered as predictors of HMFEI Score. Depth is a good predictor because if a site does not have water, it cannot support a macroinvertebrate community. Water quality measurements are significant because there is a drop off in macroinvertebrate communities when the pH of a reach begins to fall below 7.0 especially noticeable in mayfly (Ephemeroptera) assemblages. While fish communities were not sampled, I propose that they may have been the main driver determining what macroinvertebrates were observed at each site. This is due to the difference in anti-predation ability among macroinvertebrate taxa. The effects of water quality also impact the biological community in a stream and water quality measurements provide important information to studies of macroinvertebrate populations. To improve upon the study, a fish survey would be helpful, as well as salamander collection to help evaluate the presence of predators in the ecological community of the stream. A study that more comprehensively examines the interactions throughout the entire biological community would be recommended for future work.
Andy Ward (Advisor)
Lance Williams (Committee Member)
Ann D. Christy (Committee Member)
Norman Fausey (Committee Member)
168 p.
Agricultural Engineering

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Farver, D. A. (2004). Exploring the link between Geomorphology and biological integrity of headwater steams in Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406728348

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Farver, Dawn. Exploring the link between Geomorphology and biological integrity of headwater steams in Ohio. 2004. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406728348.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Farver, Dawn. "Exploring the link between Geomorphology and biological integrity of headwater steams in Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406728348

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1406728348
177
© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.