Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/06
Outputs
This objective of this project was to distinguish between natural variation in stream communities and that caused by human-induced changes in streams of Central NY state. During the five years of this project we completed several studies to meet this objective. The first assessed the impacts on the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Cayuga Inlet of a 26,500 L diesel fuel spill following a November 1997 train derailment. We sampled 3 pairs of reference (unaffected tributaries) and impact sites (on the mainstream) 0.7, 5.0, and 11.8 km downstream of the spill 5 times over a two-year period. The diesel fuel spill devastated stream invertebrates (~90 percent reduction) and taxonomic richness (~50 percent reduction) at impact sites up to 5.0 km downstream. This effect persisted for 3 months, but invertebrate abundance recovered to reference levels within a year. For 15 months the fauna 0.7 km below the spill remained species poor and significantly over-represented by a single
dominant taxon. For the first 3 months, the dominant taxon at this impact site was a petrochemical-tolerant riffle beetle. After a year, all sites in the affected stream were dominated by mayflies, but the degree of dominance was twice as large at the impact site 0.7 km downstream from the spill than at its reference site. Results suggest that two years were sufficient to attain full community recovery from the oil spill. Second, we completed a study of the impacts of a fuel oil spill on the invertebrates of Fall Creek (December 1997), and a coal spill on the invertebrates of Cayuga Inlet (September 1999). We were unable to detect any adverse effects of the smaller oil spill on the Fall Creek invertebrate fauna. However, the coal spill, and most probably, the physical disturbance of the stream bottom during the clean-up efforts, had significant effects on the abundance, species richness and composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Cayuga Inlet. Follow-up sampling during September
2002 showed that two years was also sufficient time for this site to recover from the spill. Third, we studied various human impacts on Cascadilla Creek near the Cornell campus, including gravel excavation at three locations, bank stabilization at two locations, and a silt dam at one location constructed for the purpose of flood control of bridges over the creek. Starting in 2000 took semi-annual benthic invertebrate samples at six locations, three that were disturbed, and three unaffected reference sites, including two times before the initial impact. The invertebrates at the excavated sites were decimated immediately after the gravel removal, but showed signs of recovery by November 2000. We completed this project with the 2001, 2002, and 2004 Stream Ecology and Aquatic Entomology classes to determine the trajectory of recovery of the communities from disturbance. Semi-annual samples at these sites showed continued impacts of the fall 2002 excavations, and notably, negative impacts
of the silt dam (2004) on the benthic communities upstream, which was previously used as a reference site.
Impacts
We have reported our results to agencies responsible for environmental management decisions in hopes that our recommendations will be taken into account. Although our work has caught the attention of decision-makers, not all of our recommendations were followed. Examples of successes are: 1) Recommendations made by Stream Ecology students in 2001 resulted in a smaller parking lot designed for the Oxley site to minimize impacts on Cascadilla Creek. 2) Our suggestions on the experimental wetlands project on Cascadilla Creek contributed to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement assessing the potential impacts of proposed development by Cornell University of the area adjacent to the Cornell Plantations. Examples of failures are: 1) We recommended to the NY Department of Environmental Conservation that trout not be stocked in the section of the Cayuga Inlet affected by the oil spill until sufficient recovery of the invertebrate communities had occurred (2 years).
Nonetheless, the NY DEC stocked trout within 6 months of the spill. Our subsequent data indicated that none of those fish made it back up to the affected sites. 2) We showed that initial impacts of gravel removal on Cascadilla Creek were severe, but that recovery will occur given sufficient time between disturbances (2 years). Although the Cornell Grounds Department has listened to our recommendations, they remove gravel on an annual schedule, which could have irreversible effects on the stream biota.
Publications
- Harper, M. P. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2005. Effects of pulsed and pressed disturbances on the benthic invertebrate community following a coal spill in a small stream in northeastern USA. Hydrobiologia 544:241-247.
- Harper, M. P. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2006. Emergence cues of a mayfly in a high altitude stream ecosystem: Implications for consequences of climate change. Ecological Applications 16:612-621.
- Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2006. Selective oviposition by the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus. Oecologia 148:526-537.
- Peckarsky, B. L. 2006. Predator-prey interactions. Chapter 24 In: R. Hauer and G. Lamberti (eds.) Methods in Stream Ecology, Academic Press, NY. Second edition.
- Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2007. A comparative study of the cost of alternative mayfly oviposition behaviors. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology (in press).
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
This objective of this project is to distinguish between natural variation in stream communities and that caused by human-induced changes in streams of Central NY state. We have completed a study initiated in 1998 to assess the impacts on the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Cayuga Inlet of a 26,500 L diesel fuel spill following a November 1997 train derailment. We sampled 3 pairs of reference (unaffected tributaries) and impact sites (on the mainstream) 0.7, 5.0, and 11.8 km downstream of the spill 5 times over a two-year period. The diesel fuel spill devastated stream invertebrates (90 percent reduction) and taxonomic richness (50 percent reduction) at impact sites up to 5.0 km downstream. This effect persisted for 3 months, but invertebrate abundance recovered to reference levels within a year. For 15 months the fauna 0.7 km below the spill remained species poor and significantly over-represented by a single dominant taxon. For the first 3 months, the dominant taxon
at this impact site was a petrochemical-tolerant riffle beetle. After a year, all sites in the affected stream were dominated by mayflies, but the degree of dominance was twice as large at the impact site 0.7 km downstream from the spill than at its reference site. Results suggest that two years were sufficient to attain full community recovery from the oil spill. In addition, we have completed a study of the impacts of a fuel oil spill on the invertebrates of Fall Creek (December 1997), and a coal spill on the invertebrates of Cayuga Inlet (September 1999). We were unable to detect any adverse effects of the smaller oil spill on the Fall Creek invertebrate fauna. However, the coal spill, and most probably, the physical disturbance of the stream bottom during the clean-up efforts, had significant effects on the abundance, species richness and composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Cayuga Inlet. Follow-up sampling during September 2002 showed that two years was also sufficient
time for this site to recover from the spill. We have ongoing studies of human impacts on Cascadilla Creek near the Cornell campus, including gravel excavation at three locations, bank stabilization at two locations, and a silt dam at one location constructed for the purpose of flood control of bridges over the creek. Since 2000 we have taken semi-annual benthic invertebrate samples at six locations, three that were disturbed, and three unaffected reference sites, including two times before the initial impact (June and September 2000). The invertebrates at the excavated sites were decimated immediately after the gravel removal, but showed signs of recovery by November. We continued this project with the 2001, 2002, and 2004 Stream Ecology and Aquatic Entomology classes to determine the trajectory of recovery of the communities from disturbance. Semi-annual samples at these sites have shown continued impacts of the more recent excavations (fall 2002); and interestingly, negative
impacts of the silt dam (2004) on the benthic communities upstream (previous reference site).
Impacts
An important goal of this project is to train undergraduates, other educators, federal and state agency people and lay people about the value and rigor of using stream invertebrates to assess environmental impacts. By participating in this project students of all ages (small children to senior citizens) have obtained hands-on experience, and expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to conserving natural resources, which should have broader impacts at local, regional, and national levels. The intention is to educate people about environmental conservation in an effort to foster sustainable use of our natural resources.
Publications
- Alvarez, M. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2005. How do grazers affect periphyton heterogeneity in streams. Oecologia 142:576-587.
- Macneale K. H., B. L. Peckarsky, G. E. Likens. 2005. Stable isotopes identify dispersal patterns of stonefly. Freshwater Biology 50:1117-1130.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
This objective of this project is to distinguish between natural variation in stream communities and that caused by human-induced changes in streams of Central NY state. We have completed a study initiated in 1998 to assess the impacts of a 26,500 L diesel fuel spill (November 1997) on the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Cayuga Inlet. We sampled 3 pairs of reference (unaffected tributaries) and impact sites (on the mainstream) 0.7, 5.0, and 11.8 km downstream of the spill 5 times over a two year period. The diesel fuel spill devastated stream invertebrates (90 percent reduction) and taxonomic richness (50 percent reduction) at impact sites up to 5.0 km downstream. This effect persisted for 3 months, but invertebrate abundance recovered to reference levels within a year. For 15 months the fauna 0.7 km below the spill remained species poor and significantly over-represented by a single dominant taxon. For the first 3 months, the dominant taxon at this impact site was a
petrochemical-tolerant riffle beetle. After a year, all sites in the affected stream were dominated by mayflies, but the degree of dominance was twice as large at the impact site 0.7 km downstream from the spill than at its reference site. Results suggest that two years were sufficient to attain full community recovery from the oil spill. We have ongoing studies of human impacts on Cascadilla Creek near the Cornell campus, including gravel excavation at three locations, bank stabilization at two locations, and a silt dam at one location constructed for the purpose of flood control of bridges over the creek. Since 2000 we have taken semi-annual benthic invertebrate samples at six locations, three that were disturbed, and three unaffected reference sites, including two times before the initial impact (June and September 2000). The invertebrates at the excavated sites were decimated immediately after the gravel removal, but showed signs of recovery by November. We have continued this
project with the 2001, 2002, and 2004 Stream Ecology and Aquatic Entomology classes to determine the trajectory of recovery of the communities from disturbance. Semi-annual samples at these sites have shown continued impacts of the more recent excavations (fall 2002); and interestingly, impacts of the silt dam (2004) on the benthic communities upstream. In addition to those two projects, we have studied the impacts of a fuel oil spill on the invertebrates of Fall Creek (December 1997), and a coal spill on the invertebrates of Cayuga Inlet (September 1999). We were unable to detect any adverse effects of the smaller oil spill on the Fall Creek invertebrate fauna. However, the coal spill, and most probably, the physical disturbance of the stream bottom during the clean-up efforts, had significant effects on the abundance, species richness and composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Cayuga Inlet. Follow-up sampling during September 2002 showed that two years was also sufficient
time for this site to recover from the spill.
Impacts
An important goal of this project is to train undergraduates, other educators, federal and state agency people and lay people about the value and rigor of using stream invertebrates to assess environmental impacts. By participating in this project students of all ages (small children to senior citizens) have obtained hands-on experience, and expressed their enthusiasm and commitment, which should have broader impacts at local, regional, and national levels. The intention is to educate people about environmental conservation in an effort to foster sustainable use of our natural resources.
Publications
- McIntosh, A. R, B. L. Peckarsky, and B. W. Taylor. 2004. Predator-induced resource heterogeneity in a stream food web. Ecology 85:2279-2290.
- McIntosh, A. R. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2004. Are mayfly anti-predator responses to fish odor proportional to risk? Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 160:145-151.
- Macneale, K. H., B. L. Peckarsky, and G. E. Likens. 2004. Contradictory results from different methods for measuring direction of insect flight. Freshwater Biology 49:1260-1268.
- Peckarsky B.L., J. M. Hughes, M. Hillyer, and A. C. Encalada. 2004. Are populations of mayflies living in adjacent fish and fishless streams genetically distinct? Freshwater Biology 50: 42-51.
- Peckarsky, B. L. 2004. Predator-prey interactions. Chapter 23 In: R. Hauer and G. Lamberti (eds.) Methods in Stream Ecology, Academic Press, NY. Second edition.
- Alverez, M. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2005. How do grazers affect periphyton heterogeneity in streams? Oecologia (in press).
- Encalada, A. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2005. Mechanisms of selective oviposition by the mayfly Baetis bicaudatus. Oecologia (in press).
- Harper, M. P. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2005. Effects of pulsed and pressed disturbances on the benthic invertebrate community following a coal spill in a small stream in northeastern USA. Hydrobiologia (in press).
- Macneale K. H., B. L. Peckarsky, and G. E. Likens. 2005. Stable isotopes identify dispersal patterns of a stonefly. Freshwater Biology (in press).
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
This objective of this project was to distinguish between natural variation in stream communities and that caused by human-induced changes in the Cascadilla Creek watershed. In 1998 we expanded this project in a new initiative to assess the impacts of a 26,500 L diesel fuel spill (November 1997) on the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Cayuga Inlet. We sampled 3 pairs of reference (unaffected tributaries) and impact sites (on the mainstream) 0.7, 5.0, and 11.8 km downstream of the spill 5 times over a two year period. The diesel fuel spill devastated stream invertebrates (about 90 percent reduction) and taxonomic richness (about 50 percent reduction) at impact sites up to 5.0 km downstream. This effect persisted for 3 months, but invertebrate abundance recovered to reference levels within a year. For 15 months the fauna 0.7 km below the spill remained species poor and significantly over-represented by a single dominant taxon. For the first 3 months, the dominant taxon at
this impact site was a petrochemical-tolerant riffle beetle. After a year, all sites in the affected stream were dominated by mayflies, but the degree of dominance was twice as large at the impact site 0.7 km downstream from the spill than at its reference site. Results suggest that two years sufficient to attain full community recovery from the oil spill. We have continued studies of human impacts on Cascadilla Creek, most recently gravel excavation at three locations, bank stabilization at two locations, and a new silt dam at one location constructe for the purpose of flood control of bridges over the creek. Finally, we are studying the impacts of the new bridge construction over Highway 366. Since 2000 we have taken semi-annual benthic invertebrate samples at six locations, three that were disturbed, and three unaffected reference sites, including two times before the initial impact (June and September 2000). The invertebrates at the excavated sites were decimated immediately after
the project, but showed signs of recovery by November. We continued this project with the Spring 2001 Stream Ecology Class in February 2001 to determine the trajectory of recovery of the communities from this disturbance. Semi-annual samples at these sites have shown continued impacts of the more recent excavations (fall 2002), and the new bridge construction by the State DOT. In addition to those two projects, we have studied the impacts of a fuel oil spill on the invertebrates of Fall Creek (December 1997), and a coal spill on the invertebrates of Cayuga Inlet (September 1999). We were unable to detect any adverse effects of the smaller oil spill on the Fall Creek invertebrate fauna. However, the coal spill, and most probably, the physical disturbance of the stream bottom during the clean-up efforts, had significant effects on the abundance, species richness and composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Cayuga Inlet. Follow-up sampling during September 2002 showed that two years
was also sufficient time for this site to recover from the spill.
Impacts
An important goal of this project is to train undergraduates, other educators, federal and state agency people andlay people about the value and rigor of using stream invertebrates to assess environmental impacts. by participating in this project students of all ages (small children to senior citizens) have obtained hands-on experience, and expressed their enthusiasm and commitment, which should have broader impacts at local, regional, and national levels. The intention is to educate people about environmental conservation in an effort to foster sustainable use of our natural resources.
Publications
- Hughes, J. M., P. B. Mather, M. Hillyer, C. Cleary and B. L. Peckarsky. 2003. Genetic structure in a montane mayfly Baetis bicaudatus (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae), from the Rocky Mountains, Colorado. Freshwater Biology 12:2149-2162.
- Dahl, J. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2003. Does living in fish streams involve a cost of induced morphological defenses? Canadian Journal of Zoology (in press).
- McIntosh, A. R, B. L. Peckarsky, and B. W. Taylor. 2004. Predator-induced resource heterogeneity in a stream food web. Ecology (in press).
- McIntosh, A. R. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2004. Are mayfly anti-predator responses to fish odor proportional to risk? Archiv fur Hydrobiologie (in press).
- Peckarsky, B. L. 2004. Predator-prey interactions. Chapter 23 In: R. Hauer and G. Lamberti (eds.) Methods in Stream Ecology, Academic Press, NY. Second edition.
- Caudill, C. C. and B. L. Peckarsky. 2003. Lack of appropriate behavioral or developmental responses by mayfly larvae to trout predators. Ecology 84:2133-2144.
- Dahl, J and B. L. Peckarsky. 2003. Developmental responses to predation risk in morphologically defended mayflies. Oecologia 137:188-194.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
This objective of this project was to distinguish between natural variation in stream communities and that caused by human-induced changes in the Cascadilla Creek watershed. In 1998 we expanded this project in a new initiative to assess the impacts of a 26,500 L diesel fuel spill (November 1997) on the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Cayuga Inlet. We sampled 3 pairs of reference (unaffected tributaries) and impact sites (on the mainstream) 0.7, 5.0, and 11.8 km downstream of the spill 5 times over a two year period. The diesel fuel spill devastated stream invertebrates (about 90 percent reduction) and taxonomic richness (about 50 percent reduction) at impact sites up to 5.0 km downstream. This effect persisted for 3 months, but invertebrate abundance recovered to reference levels within a year. For 15 months the fauna 0.7 km below the spill remained species poor and significantly over-represented by a single dominant taxon. For the first 3 months, the dominant taxon at
this impact site was a petrochemical-tolerant riffle beetle. After a year, all sites in the affected stream were dominated by mayflies, but the degree of dominance was twice as large at the impact site 0.7 km downstream from the spill than at its reference site. Results suggest that two years sufficient to attain full community recovery from the oil spill. We have continued studies of human impacts on Cascadilla Creek, most recently gravel excavation at three locations by the Cornell University Grounds Department for the stated purpose maintaining the integrity of bridges over the creek to the Fish Lab, the Synchrotron, and under the Heating Plant pipes. We took benthic invertebrate samples at six locations, three that were excavated, and three unaffected reference sites, two times before the impact (June and September 2000) and then in October and November 2000 after the excavation. The invertebrates at the excavated sites were decimated immediately after the project, but already
showed signs of recovery in November. We continued this project with the Spring 2001 Stream Ecology Class in February 2001 to determine the trajectory of recovery of the communities from this disturbance. Semi-annual samples at these sites have shown continued impacts of the more recent excavations (fall 2002), and the new bridge construction by the State DOT. In addition to those two projects, we have studied the impacts of a fuel oil spill on the invertebrates of Fall Creek (December 1997), and a coal spill on the invertebrates of Cayuga Inlet (September 1999). We were unable to detect any adverse effects of the smaller oil spill on the Fall Creek invertebrate fauna. However, the coal spill, and most probably, the physical disturbance of the stream bottom during the clean-up efforts, had significant effects on the abundance, species richness and composition of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Cayuga Inlet. Follow-up sampling during September 2002 showed that two years was also
sufficient time for this site to recover from the spill.
Impacts
An important goal of this project is to train undergraduates, other educators, federal and state agency people and lay people about the value and rigor of using stream invertebrates to assess environmental impacts. By participating in this project students of all ages (small children to senior citizens) have obtained hands-on experience, and expressed their enthusiasm and commitment, which should have broader impacts at local, regional, and national levels. The intention is to educate people about environmental conservation in an effort to foster sustainable use of our natural resources.
Publications
- Peckarsky, B. L., B. W. Taylor, A. R. McIntosh, M. A. McPeek and D. A. Lytle. 2001. Variation in mayfly size at metamorphosis as a developmental response to risk of predation. Ecology 82:740-757.
- Taylor, B. W, A. R. McIntosh and B. L. Peckarsky. 2001. Sampling stream invertebrates using electroshocking techniques: implications for basic and applied research. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 58:1-9.
- Peckarsky, B. L., A. R. McIntosh, B. R. Taylor and J. Dahl. 2002. Predator chemicals induce changes in mayfly life history traits: a whole-stream manipulation. Ecology 83:612-618.
- Dahl, J and B. L. Peckarsky. 2002. Induced morphological defenses in the wild: predator effects on a mayfly, Drunella coloradensis. Ecology 83:1620-1634.
- Peckarsky, B. L., A. R. McIntosh, C. C. Caudill and J. Dahl. 2002 Stabilizing selection on male body size of high altitude populations of Baetis bicaudatus (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 51:530-537.
- Taylor, B. W., A. R. McIntosh, and B. L. Peckarsky. 2002. Large-scale invertebrate manipulations in stream ecosystems: invertebrate removal, algal response, and opportunities for innovation. Limnology and Oceanography 47:893-899.
- McIntosh, A. R., B. L. Peckarsky, and B. W. Taylor. 2002. The influence of predatory fish on mayfly drift: extrapolating from experiments to nature. Freshwater Biology 47 (8):1497-1513.
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