Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

This poster was presented at the 2024 UCSB EEMB Research symposium.

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are critical indicators of ecological health because of their role as primary consumers, supporting many species within their respective food chains. Birds, as key components of wetland ecosystems, heavily rely on these aquatic macroinvertebrates as a food source. Understanding the dynamics between aquatic macroinvertebrates and environmental factors is crucial for effective ecosystem management efforts. This study compares surface sampling data and benthic dipnetting sampling data across multiple sites within North Campus Open Space (NCOS) from the summer of 2023 to the spring of 2024. 

Our research aims to determine the species abundance and diversity of key aquatic invertebrates and zooplankton using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index. By utilizing two distinct sampling methods, we investigate the effectiveness of the sampling techniques through potential variations in species abundance. Moreover, we correlate this data with water quality parameters such as pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen to assess their influence on the distribution and abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Overall, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between environmental variables and aquatic macroinvertebrate abundance across two different sampling mediums.