1. Stoneflies (Insecta; Plecoptera) in small upland streams in the Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia: Diversity and responses to forest harvest practises Jeffrey B. Ogden, MSc candidate Mount Allison University

2. Project Objectives 1.Baseline information: Boreal highland stonefly biodiversity. 2. Relate to forest practice & stream characteristics.

5. Hypothes Expect new species records for Nova Scotia. Stream systems most recently affected by forestry will have the lowest diversity of stonefly species.

6. Cape Breton highlands

7. upland boreal forest region climax balsam fir forest harsh climate

8. Forestry and the highlands Pre 1900s 1920s - pulp and paper 1970s – spruce budworm infestation Present activity

11. Previous studies in highlands Limited …due to accessibility Primarily in lower elevations 1 st aquatic study in boreal region

12. Physical Habitat Characterization

13. Stonefly sampling Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach Emergence traps Benthic sampling Spring, summer and fall

14. Stonefly sampling Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach Emergence traps Benthic sampling Spring, summer and fall

15. Stonefly sampling Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach Emergence traps Benthic sampling Light traps Foliage sweeps

17. Statistical analysis Only the benthic data used for analysis of forestry patterns ANOVA after transforming as necessary Exploratory multivariate statistics - cluster analysis and PCA No pattern with measured variables

18. Results Physical characteristics of the streams

20. Results Stonefly diversity: 3300 stoneflies collected 2750 nymphs and 550 adults 31 stonefly species from eight families 8 new records for NS

25. Stonefly diversity in the boreal streams Low stonefly diversity is natural in small cold-water springs Shredder dominated

28. Winter stoneflies

29. Conclusions Impact of forestry activities on stoneflies? No significant differences Stonefly abundance Buffers

30. Conclusions Stonefly diversity naturally low Forestry impact “buffered” More fun work to be done

31. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Mount Allison University University of Prince Edward Island NSERC /NSDNR Stora Enso/NewPage My supervisors and committee members Dr. Ron Aiken (MTA), Dr. Dave McCorquodale (CBU), and Barry Taylor (StFX) my external examiner

33. QUESTIONS??