Katie's Corner: A Chesapeake Conservation Corps Capstone Project

In April, I started my Chesapeake Conservation Corps capstone project. I have been sampling 13 streams sites in the South River watershed for benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality indicators. Once I have collected the organisms in the field, I will take them to the lab to identify them.

 Benthic macroinvertebrates are associated with water quality. Better water quality  upports a greater species diversity because each species has different pollution tolerance levels. The abundance, or the number of organisms found in the stream, is influenced by the amount of available habitat. Not all habitats found in streams are suitable for habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates. Not all habitats found in streams are suitable for benthic macroinvertebrates. Streams with poor water quality and habitat have a lower number of species and organisms than streams with abundant habitats and good water quality.

 Certain steps can be taken in order to insure good overall water habitat for benthic macroinvertebrates, who serve as a food source for other organisms like fish. First, streams are influenced by storm water runoff and flash flooding.  Storm water runoff brings silt which covers the stream bottom, reducing habitat quality, and nutrients which alter the water quality. Flash flooding can quickly and dramatically alter the flow of a stream (I know this because I tried to sample in the rain, but the flash flooding made it too difficult). Flash flooding can destroy benthic habitats by removing woody debris as well as causing channelization, which lowers the stream bed thus increasing the distance between tree root wads and the surface of the water. To prevent storm water runoff and flash flooding from degrading habitat quality, restoration projects are needed to minimize the impact of storm water runoff. Flash flooding will be reduced if the amount of storm water runoff is reduced. Also, riparian buffers are needed to prevent runoff into the streams and can serve as habitat for adult insects.

 If everyone does their part, the South River watershed will continue to serve as a critical habitat for benthic macroinvertebrates.