Document Type
Article
Abstract
The continual habitat destruction and draining of wetland systems makes the need to understand the ecology of roadside wetlands all the more necessary. Roadside wetlands provide valuable habitat to countless aquatic invertebrates, which can provide insight into the health of the wetland system due to their diversity. The objective of this study was to analyze the populations of aquatic invertebrates in roadside wetlands in relation to water characteristics such as pH, salinity, conductivity, water depth and temperature, and dissolved oxygen. This was done by collecting samples of invertebrate populations from roadside wetlands, in addition to data on water quality characteristics using an aquatic D-frame dip net, YSI multi-parameter water quality meter , and a handheld water quality testing meter The results as shown by the NMDS graph are that the water quality characteristics that are significantly related to invertebrate community structure are dissolved oxygen (P = 0.017) and pH (P = 0.028). On average, sample locations had low dissolved oxygen and low pH. These samples contained communities that were made up of Planorbidae, Chironomidae, Hylella, and other groups that are known to live in low water quality conditions. In addition, invertebrate groups were found to fulfill a range of ecological niches such as Sphaeriidae, Coenagrionidae, Ptychopteridae, and Libellulidae. Roadside wetlands are a valuable habitat for aquatic invertebrates, and the results of this study can be used to intentionally manage roadside wetlands for aquatic invertebrates.
Publication Date
2025
Recommended Citation
Isakson, Ellen P., "Aquatic Invertebrate Populations in Roadside Wetlands in Relation to Water Characteristics" (2025). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 79.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/79
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Entomology Commons, Environmental Health Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Sustainability Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program