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Jeremy Evans_Master's Thesis.pdf (2.29 MB)

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Fish Health and Water Quality in Small Agricultural Ponds in Rural Ohio

Evans, Jeremy Toone
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3899-7016
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1641479161362536

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Small artificial ponds are widely distributed throughout the United States and represent a considerable human footprint on the aquatic landscape. Management of these freshwater systems differ somewhat and are dependent on individual landowner decisions. While many management actions are directed toward one or two components of a pond, different management strategies are implemented as landowners invest varying amounts of time and effort in pond management. Active management of ponds come in varying degrees and approaches and include such practices as the removal of vegetation through mechanical or chemical (e.g. herbicides) means, fish stocking, aeration, and dredging. These actions are often meant to improve environmental conditions for aquatic wildlife, especially fish, however increasing levels of management present greater human induced disturbances that may be counterproductive to management goals. I used a combination of field surveys and an experimental study to investigate the effects of management activities on fish health, biodiversity, and water quality. The field surveys consisted of repeated sampling efforts of artificial ponds in rural Ohio. I found that increased management had little effect on water quality parameters (e.g. dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, etc.). Likewise, taxonomic richness and diversity measures (Shannon’s Diversity Index) of aquatic macroinvertebrates were not affected by increased management. I did find differences in presence of several taxonomic orders across increasing intensities of management which contributed to disparity in macroinvertebrate community assemblages. This indicated that increased management inputs, or even specific actions, could affect favorability of environmental conditions for unique taxonomic groups. I also found no differences in fish abundance or health between ponds. My findings from the field surveys suggest two possible explanations. First, increased management actions did not negatively impact water quality, biodiversity, or fish health. Alternatively, the lack of major differences across management levels suggests that certain management actions may not improve environmental conditions. The experimental study examined sub-lethal effects of pond dye on growth and health of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). I housed juvenile Bluegill in clear and dyed outdoor mesocosms for 84 days. There was no effect of pond dye on water temperature between treatments, but as expected, the dye did reduce the intensity of light in treated mesocosms compared to control tanks. I found that growth rate and body condition of Bluegill were not significantly affected by pond dye. Similarly, reproductive investment and body coloration were unaffected. This suggests that exposure to pond dye has no direct effect on the growth and health of Bluegill, yet indirect effects remain unclear as the darkened environment in a natural setting could impact foraging success and predator avoidance. Through investigating the effects of pond management practices on fish health, biodiversity, and water quality, landowners can make more informed decisions regarding the management and conservation of their small artificial ponds.
Suzanne Gray (Advisor)
Robert Gates (Committee Member)
Rachel Gabor (Committee Member)
148 p.
Environmental Management; Fish Production; Freshwater Ecology; Wildlife Management
artificial ponds; management; pond dye; Bluegill

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Evans, J. T. (2022). Fish Health and Water Quality in Small Agricultural Ponds in Rural Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1641479161362536

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Evans, Jeremy. Fish Health and Water Quality in Small Agricultural Ponds in Rural Ohio. 2022. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1641479161362536.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Evans, Jeremy. "Fish Health and Water Quality in Small Agricultural Ponds in Rural Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1641479161362536

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1641479161362536
190
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