HR: 1330h
AN: NB33C-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Factors affecting macroinvertebrate assemblages in autumnal wetlands at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.
AU: * Studinski, J
EM: jered.studinski@wku.edu
AF: Western Kentucky University, Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity Studies, Bowling Green, KY 42101 United States
AU: Grubbs, S A
EM: scott.grubbs@wku.edu
AF: Western Kentucky University, Department of Biology and Center for Biodiversity Studies, Bowling Green, KY 42101 United States
AB: Temporary wetlands exhibit many between- and within-pond environmental gradients. Most research on macroinvertebrate communities of forested temporary wetlands has cited pond size and two corresponding effects, hydroperiod and habitat complexity, as important factors regulating biotic diversity and density. However, additional variables (e.g., dissolved oxygen, life history strategies) can override the effects of wetland size. We investigated the potential relationships between chemical and biotic parameters and macroinvertebrate communities of 10 temporary, forested autumnal wetlands in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. The ponds were small (< 0.5 ha) and varied along several environmental gradients, most notably pH, maximum depth, dissolved oxygen content, temperature, hydroperiod, and size. Preliminary data analyses revealed (a) each pond generally supported a similar number of species, and (b) the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates could not be explained by pond size, hydroperiod, or habitat diversity. A second set of data analyses will be performed by partitioning the ponds into shallow and deep zones, and assessing macroinvertebrate communities separately according to functional groups and life history characteristics.
DE: 9901 NABS Student Award - Basic Research
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly