A Comparison Of The Macroinvertebrate Assemblages In First And Second Order Streams In The Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Marie Ann Schrecengost, The Ohio State University, School of Natural Resources. 2021 Coffey Rd. 210 Kottman Hall, Columbus, OH 43210; (614) 247-6126; FAX (614) 292-3523; schrecengost.5@osu.edu
Lance R. Williams, The Ohio State University, School of Natural Resources 2021 Coffey Rd 210 Kottman Hall Columbus, OH 43210
In this study, we examined the effects of hierarchical landscape properties on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages in first and second order streams in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, northeast Ohio. Specifically, we quantified how stream habitat, land use, gradient, and the abundance of predators (fishes and salamanders) affected the structure and function of macroinvertebrate assemblages. The methods used to collect the data serve as a basis of comparison to assess the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's (OEPA) Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI) sampling protocol. The HHEI methods are qualitative and time-minimizing. A comparison of the results of the two sampling methods will lead to a determination of the efficiency of the HHEI in delineating the condition of the individual streams in this study.