Category
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
Description
Observing the expansion at a lake in Lynchburg, VA (Lake Hydaway), the construction of a new dam can have effects on amphibian biodiversity. Previous literature is lacking in the effects of lake expansion and dam construction on amphibian ecology in comparison to the amount of data found on fish and macroinvertebrates. Amphibians are often good indicators of environmental quality due to their aquatic and terrestrial nature, making the lake expansion an ideal opportunity to monitor amphibian biodiversity in response to the construction. The objective of the study is to do a biodiversity and density assessment of amphibians in streams adjacent to the Hydaway lake expansion. We plan to collect data at four sampling sites. The first will be located upstream from lake Hydaway and act as a control site. The other 3 sites will be located at varying distances downstream from the new dam. Site 2 is located immediately below the new dam, where we expect to observe the most impact. Site three and four will be located less than a mile from the new dam into a wooded area where recovery is to be expected. Three sample plots will be surveyed within each site using dipnets and seins to look through the substrate in and around the effluent from the dam. Each amphibian will be captured, and photo vouchers taken to identify each before measuring their snout-vent-length (SVL) using digital calipers. Visual scores will be given for habitat sediments and siltation which may affect overall amphibian biodiversity. With the expected decline in amphibian population and density, we can determine how much of Opossum Creek is affected by the lake expansion, leading to more effective management strategies to preserve biodiversity. This study can have implications for other aquatic systems affected by dam construction and lake expansion.
Assessing the impact of lake expansion on adjacent stream amphibian diversity and density.
Poster - Theoretical Proposal
Observing the expansion at a lake in Lynchburg, VA (Lake Hydaway), the construction of a new dam can have effects on amphibian biodiversity. Previous literature is lacking in the effects of lake expansion and dam construction on amphibian ecology in comparison to the amount of data found on fish and macroinvertebrates. Amphibians are often good indicators of environmental quality due to their aquatic and terrestrial nature, making the lake expansion an ideal opportunity to monitor amphibian biodiversity in response to the construction. The objective of the study is to do a biodiversity and density assessment of amphibians in streams adjacent to the Hydaway lake expansion. We plan to collect data at four sampling sites. The first will be located upstream from lake Hydaway and act as a control site. The other 3 sites will be located at varying distances downstream from the new dam. Site 2 is located immediately below the new dam, where we expect to observe the most impact. Site three and four will be located less than a mile from the new dam into a wooded area where recovery is to be expected. Three sample plots will be surveyed within each site using dipnets and seins to look through the substrate in and around the effluent from the dam. Each amphibian will be captured, and photo vouchers taken to identify each before measuring their snout-vent-length (SVL) using digital calipers. Visual scores will be given for habitat sediments and siltation which may affect overall amphibian biodiversity. With the expected decline in amphibian population and density, we can determine how much of Opossum Creek is affected by the lake expansion, leading to more effective management strategies to preserve biodiversity. This study can have implications for other aquatic systems affected by dam construction and lake expansion.
Comments
Undergraduate