Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A comprehensive inventory of aquatic insects of the middle and upper corridors of the Apalachicola River Basin was conducted and completed. A total of 7248 aquatic insect specimens, representing six insect orders (beetles, caddisflies, dobsonflies, mayflies, odonates and stoneflies), 103 genera and 141 species were sorted, curated and identified. A comprehensive relational database (Paradox 10), with GIS applications has been developed for easy species retrievals of the insect fauna in the basin. Four primary insect communities based on similarities of species assemblages have been identified by Cluster Analysis [Unweighted Pair Group Mathematical Averaging (UPGMA)] and TWINSPAN methods. Streams of the eastern side of the Apalachicola River channel have different insect community structures from those on the western side of the channel. A combination of catchment variables (e.g. land use, topography, vegetation and geology) and stream variables, notably hydrology, appear pivotal in defining the insect communities in the basin. Using Fisher's alpha of the log series to analyze faunal diversity for the sampling sites, stream size appears to be the major driving factor of insect diversity in the basin. The relatively high diversity of the insect fauna of streams in the middle and upper corridors of the basin, notably the eastern side of the river channel reflects a relatively pristine condition of the area's aquatic ecosystems. The insect fauna also includes a reasonable number of Species of Greatest Conservation Need, especially among mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. For the duration of the project, six publications, ten professional presentations, and one three-day taxonomic training workshop were accomplished. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Andrew K. Rasmussen, Mr. Barton A. Richard, and Mr. Donald Ray TARGET AUDIENCES: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, The Nature Conservancy, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, The Florida Water Management Districts, The United Forest Service PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The research has led to a better understanding of the aquatic insect diversity in the middle and upper corridors of the Apalachicola River Basin. Baseline data is now available, which may facilitate more effective biological assessment and conservation of the basin's fragile ecosystems. Aquatic insects are one of the most abundant and diverse groups of organisms in freshwater ecosystems, and sound knowledge of their biodiversity, systmatics and ecological functions are fundamental to the formulation of sound ecologically-based strategies for cost effective management programs for freshwater ecosystems.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Aquatic insect samples collected from 12 sampling sites, one on each stream, in the middle and upper corridors of the Apalachicola River Basin have been sorted, curated, and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, mostly to species In three years of benthic sampling, we have collected a total of 7613 insect specimens representing 6 orders, 103 genera and 141 species. Using the Cluster Analysis [Unweighted Pair Group Mathematical Averaging (UPGMA)] and TWINSPAN methods, we have identified four primary insect communities, based on similarities of species assemblages in the study area. Streams of the eastern side of the Apalachicola River channel have different insect community structures from those on the western side of the channel. It appears that a combination of landscape variables such as land use, geology, topography and vegetation, and in stream variables most notably hydrology are pivotal in defining the insect communities in the basin. Using Fisher's
alpha of the log series to analyze the faunal diversity for the sampling sites, size of streams appears to be a major driving factor of insect biodiversity in the basin. The relatively high diversity of the insect fauna of streams in the middle and upper corridors of the basin reflects an apparently healthy condition of the area's aquatic ecosystems. The data have all been entered in a relational database (Paradox 10) with GIS applications for convenient species retrievals and queries of the aquatic insect fauna of the basin.
Impacts
The study provides vital information for better management and conservation efforts in maintaining the integrity of the river basin. Moreover, the data strongly reinforced the designation of the Apalachicola River Basin as one of the top five "Biodiversity Hot Spots" in the Continental United Stated States.
Publications
- Pescador, M.L. and J.G. Peters, 2007. A new genus of Oligoneuriidae (Ephemeroptera) from Madagascar. Annals Ent. Soc. Amer. 100(2): 173-177.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Benthic samples collected for a period of three years from 12 different stream sites in the upper corridor of the Apalachicola river basin have been sorted, curated, and identified to species. A total of 7248 specimens, representing 117 species in six major insect groups (beetles, caddisflies, dobsonflies, mayflies, odonates and stoneflies) have been recorded. A comprehensive relational database (Paradox 10), with GIS applications, of the aquatic insect fauna of the basin has been developed for species retrievals and queries. The database with 1740 collection records includes the different taxonomic levels of the various insect taxa, life stages, stream sites and coordinates, and dates of sampling. Four primary insect communities based on similarity of species compositions have been identified by Cluster analysis, Unweighted Pair Group Mathematical Averaging (UPGMA) on a similarity matrix based on Spearman Rank correlation. Streams on the western side of the river
channel appear to have different insect communities compared to those on the eastern side of the river. Preliminary analysis of the relationships between insect communities and environmental stressors appears to indicate that catchment variables (e.g. land use, topography, vegetation, geology) have more impact than in-stream variables [nutrients (NO3-N, TKN, TP) temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen) on insect community structure in the basin. More in-depth analysis of the data is ongoing. In addition to the relatively high biodiversity of the insect fauna, we also collected a number of insect species of special concern (rare, endangered, new state records, new to science) most notably in streams associated with the eastern side of the river which are noteworthy for their relatively pristine conditions.
Impacts
The data will provide a meaningful biological resource for effective biomonitoring, management and conservation of the basin's fragile ecosytems.
Publications
- Pescador, ML, and BA Richard 2006. A new species of Caenis (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) from Florida USA. Zootaxa 1355: 61-68.
- Dominguez, E Molineri, C, Pescador, M.L., Hubbard, M.D. & Nieto, C 2006. Ephemeroptera of South America. In: J. Arias, J.R., Rueda-Delgado, G. & K.M. Wantzen (Eds.): Aquatic Biodiversity in Latin America (ABLA). Vol 2. Pensoft, Sofia, Moscow 646 pp.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
Insect communities in 13 wadeable streams in the middle and upper corridors of the Apalachicola River were investigated using Cluster analysis and Unweighted Pair Mathematical Averaging (UPGMA) on a similarity matrix based on Spearman Rank Correlation method. Four primary insect communities based on similarity of species composition were recognized which reflect an interesting faunal pattern for the different watersheds in the study area. A combination of variables of multiple scales appears to have influenced these communities. One community is distinguished by species (e.g. Eurylophella doris, Perlinella drymo) typical of low-lying, blackwater streams in forest dominated by swamp hardwoods and pine flatwoods in areas of undifferentiated geology and gradients. The second community occurs in Coastal Plain streams associated with forests mixed with areas cleared for agriculture and scattered residential development and is commonly dominated by species like Dubiraphia
vittata, Caenis diminuta. The third insect community not only has the highest species richness but includes species (e.g. Baetisca rogersi, Danella simplex, Nectopsyche exquisita Eccoptura xanthenes) that prefer undisturbed medium - sized, clear shifting sand-bottomed streams surrounded by forest dominated by longleaf pine and xerophytic oaks and relatively high gradients. The fourth community contains a number of northern elements and endemic species, a typical feature of ravine streams with mixed hardwood forests and constantly mild microclimates found in areas of steep gradients in the Torreya and Jackson Bluff Formations Documentation of rare and endemic species, influence of variables of multiple scales in the Apalachicola River basin is ongoing.
Impacts
The preliminary data show a broader understanding how organisms respond to their environment at multiple scales, and provide a deeper insight on the overall management and bioassessment of the integrity of the Apalachicola river basin.
Publications
- Rasmussen, A.K. & D.R. Denson 2005. A comparison of Trichoptera (Caddisfly) species diversity from several peninsular Florida waterbodies using benthic and terrestrial sampling methods. NABS Bulletin Volume 22 (1) 259-260.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Based on the samples that have been processed, 23 species of mayflies, 17 species of caddisflies, 11 species of stoneflies, 8 genera of dragonflies and damsel flies and 9 general of aquatic beetles have been identified from the Apalachicola River basin. Approximately 60 percent of the identified taxa were collected from the eastside sampling sites of the basin, which include streams that are associated with bluff and ravines, and typical coastal floodplain streams within the confines of the Apalachicola National Forest. In addition to the higher biodiversity and species richness of the aquatic insect fauna in the eastside of the basin, a good number of rare and or endangered species of mayflies (e.g. Dannella simplex, Diphetor hageni, Serratella deficiens), stoneflies (e.g. Agnetina annulipes, Eccoptura xanthenes, Amphinemura nigritta) and caddisflies (e.g. Anisocentropus pyraloides, Brachycentrus nigrosoma, Rhyacopila Carolina) were collected but so far have not been
collected in samples from the westside sampling sites of the basin. The nutrient (TKN, NO3-N, TP) levels are relatively low in all of the sampling sites. One of the streams in the Westside of the basin consistently registers the highest level of N03-N, ranging from 1.227 - 1.583 mg\L compared to 0.02 - 0.376 mg\L for the rest of the sampling sites. The conductivity levels of the streams on the westside of the basin consistently have higher readings, ranging from 51-103S, than most of the streams in the eastside of the basin (conductivity 12-71S) except for the two calcareous streams, which range 44-120S. Such low nutrient and conductivity levels appear to have no significant impact on the community structure of the fauna in the basin. Documentation of land use(s), habitat assessments and riparian vegetation is ongoing.
Impacts
The results on insect community structures will significantly contribute to sound management and assessment of the integrity of freshwater ecosystems in general and the Apalachicola River basin in particular.
Publications
- Pescador, M.L., A.K. Rasmussen, and S.C. Harris, 2004. Identification manual for The caddisfly (Trichoptera) larvae of Florida, revised edition. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Tallahassee, 136 pp.
- Pescador, M.L., and B.A. Richard, 2004. Guide to the mayfly (Ephemeroptera nymphs of Florida. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Tallahassee, 150 pp.
- Rasmussen, A.K., M.L. Pescador and S.C. Harris. 2004. Species diversity and community structure of Trichoptera (caddisflies) in northern Florida ravine ecosystems. NABS Bulletin 21:216.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The research project has just recently been initiated. Fourteen sampling sites have been established representing 14 streams within the basin. Biologists of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The Nature Conservancy who are familiar with the basin land use have assisted me in the selection process of these sites which include both the western and the eastern sides of the Apalachicola River. The eastside sampling sites include streams that are associated with the Apalachicola bluffs and ravines and typical coastal floodplain streams within the confines of the Apalachicola National Forest. The westside sampling sites include streams within agricultural and silvicultural areas. Spring and Summer 2003 sampling has been conducted. Preliminary results of Spring samples indicate a relatively high taxa richness of mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies in the study area particularly in streams of the eastern side of the Apalachicola River. Thus far, we have
identified nine families and eighteen genera of mayflies, five families and nine genera of caddisflies, and four families and six genera of stoneflies. Interestingly, of the six genera of stoneflies that have been identified, only one genus, Perlesta, has been collected in the westside sampling sites of the river basin compared to six genera in the eastside sampling sites. Species identification, counting of specimens and preliminary analysis of species compositions of the various sampling sites are ongoing. Development of a relational database on the distribution of species with GIS application has been initiated. In addition to benthic samples, physico-chemical parameters [temperature, DO, pH, conductivity, nutrients (nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus) of stream waters are also being collected. Spring data on nutrients indicate a relatively low level of TKN (mg/L), TP (mg/L) and NO3-N in most of the sites being sampled.
Impacts
Water pollution is a biological problem and must be evaluated using a holistic approach. Biological monitoring has become an integral part of water quality assessment and insects are well recognized indicators of water quality. Results of this study will significantly contribute to a sound assessment of the integrity of the Apalachicola River basin.
Publications
- Rasmussen, A. K., M. L. Pescador, and B. A. Richard. 2003. A survey of the Plecoptera of Florida. pp. 391- 402. In E. Gaino (ed.) Research Update on Ephemeroptera & Plecoptera.University di Perugia-Italy.
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