Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
We conducted a field experiment to examine the colonization and use of human derived materials by aquatic invertebrates in three western New York streams. The study streams included two soft-bottomed urban streams, Ransom Creek and California Creek, and a hard-bottomed forested stream, Hayes Hollow Creek. In each stream, four different substrate types of similar surface areas: rocks, glass bottles, plastic bottles, and bricks were placed and left in the streams for 6 weeks to promote invertebrate colonization. Baskets filled with both rock and leaf substrates were also placed in the streams for 6 weeks to measure background community composition. The substrate types and the baskets were then individually processed to collect the invertebrates which were then identified and quantified in the lab. In Ransom Creek, a greater species richness and species diversity was found on plastic than on the other substrates used, but brick had the largest average number of invertebrates per piece of substrate. Similarly, anthropogenic litter had equal or higher species richness in California Creek, and higher total invertebrates, compared to natural rock substrates. In Hayes Hollow, however, a greater species richness and species diversity was found for rock as opposed to the other substrates, but brick again had the largest average number of invertebrates per piece of substrate. Our data suggests that hard anthropogenic materials may provide favorable habitat in soft bottomed habitats, but natural rock is the preferred substrate in less impacted sites.
Rubbish habit or novel habitat? Colonization of anthropogenic litter by stream invertebrates
We conducted a field experiment to examine the colonization and use of human derived materials by aquatic invertebrates in three western New York streams. The study streams included two soft-bottomed urban streams, Ransom Creek and California Creek, and a hard-bottomed forested stream, Hayes Hollow Creek. In each stream, four different substrate types of similar surface areas: rocks, glass bottles, plastic bottles, and bricks were placed and left in the streams for 6 weeks to promote invertebrate colonization. Baskets filled with both rock and leaf substrates were also placed in the streams for 6 weeks to measure background community composition. The substrate types and the baskets were then individually processed to collect the invertebrates which were then identified and quantified in the lab. In Ransom Creek, a greater species richness and species diversity was found on plastic than on the other substrates used, but brick had the largest average number of invertebrates per piece of substrate. Similarly, anthropogenic litter had equal or higher species richness in California Creek, and higher total invertebrates, compared to natural rock substrates. In Hayes Hollow, however, a greater species richness and species diversity was found for rock as opposed to the other substrates, but brick again had the largest average number of invertebrates per piece of substrate. Our data suggests that hard anthropogenic materials may provide favorable habitat in soft bottomed habitats, but natural rock is the preferred substrate in less impacted sites.
