Water Quality, Species Diversity, And Quantity In A Stream Habitat Jason Holcomb Undergraduate Wildlife Biology Department Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee 38505

Project Summary Problem Problem Some, if not most, streams run in close proximity to housing developments, agricultural fields, and/or roads. Some, if not most, streams run in close proximity to housing developments, agricultural fields, and/or roads. Objective Objective See if the proximity of streams to roads, housing developments, and agricultural fields will lead to a decrease in populations and diversities of fish. See if the proximity of streams to roads, housing developments, and agricultural fields will lead to a decrease in populations and diversities of fish.

Project Summary In meeting the objective: In meeting the objective: Two stream habitats were sampled at different dates. One stream is near the problem areas, the other is secluded from the problem areas for control. Two stream habitats were sampled at different dates. One stream is near the problem areas, the other is secluded from the problem areas for control. The sampling method used is backpack-electro fishing. The sampling method used is backpack-electro fishing. The water quality parameters are: air temperature, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. The water quality parameters are: air temperature, water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity.

Introduction Runoff and discharges bring greater nutrient- loading, and more metals, pesticides and other contaminants in streams. Runoff and discharges bring greater nutrient- loading, and more metals, pesticides and other contaminants in streams. Declines in richness of fish, invertebrate and algal communities result (Drapper et al 2000). Declines in richness of fish, invertebrate and algal communities result (Drapper et al 2000). There is extension of the drainage system as new roads and buildings are introduced. There is extension of the drainage system as new roads and buildings are introduced. Urbanisation therefore changes the hydrological cycle by inducing more rapid runoff, producing higher peak discharges and more numerous floods than in the original rural area (Bondarev and Gregory 2002). Urbanisation therefore changes the hydrological cycle by inducing more rapid runoff, producing higher peak discharges and more numerous floods than in the original rural area (Bondarev and Gregory 2002).

Introduction In the early 1990s, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study of tributaries to Georgia's Chattahoochee River revealed that the farm- lined Soque was the biggest source of smothering sediment that was killing off the sensitive aquatic life, filling in vital reservoirs and raising the costs of purifying drinking water for downstream metropolitan Atlanta (Sachs 2002). In the early 1990s, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study of tributaries to Georgia's Chattahoochee River revealed that the farm- lined Soque was the biggest source of smothering sediment that was killing off the sensitive aquatic life, filling in vital reservoirs and raising the costs of purifying drinking water for downstream metropolitan Atlanta (Sachs 2002).

Hypothesis Statement The proximity to roads, agricultural fields, and housing developments will decrease the water quality, species diversity, and quantity of fish in stream habitats. The proximity to roads, agricultural fields, and housing developments will decrease the water quality, species diversity, and quantity of fish in stream habitats.

Method and Materials The method used was a modification of the three pass method. (Cook, personal communication). The method used was a modification of the three pass method. (Cook, personal communication). The modification was that one class performed one pass of approximately 60 meters on one day. Then, another class performed the exact pass on another day. The modification was that one class performed one pass of approximately 60 meters on one day. Then, another class performed the exact pass on another day.

Method and Materials The materials use were: The materials use were: One backpack electro shocker unit with poles. One backpack electro shocker unit with poles. Four nets. Four nets. Four buckets (for the fish collected). Four buckets (for the fish collected). Four sets of waders. Four sets of waders. Here is an example of the Data form used! Here is an example of the Data form used!Data form Data form The method of data processing used is percents, averages and means. The method of data processing used is percents, averages and means.

Expected Results and Benefits The advantages and benefits of this research are: The advantages and benefits of this research are: Increased awareness of runoff problems Increased awareness of runoff problems Increased knowledge of repercussions of runoff problems. Increased knowledge of repercussions of runoff problems. Could lead to reform of rules for construction of roads and housing developments. And proximity rules for agricultural fields. Could lead to reform of rules for construction of roads and housing developments. And proximity rules for agricultural fields. Could result in mitigation from construction companies. Could result in mitigation from construction companies.

Project Timeline The time line runs from January 21 st through May 5 th The time line runs from January 21 st through May 5 th Actual sequences are: Timeline Actual sequences are: TimelineTimeline

Budget Here is the proposed budget! Here is the proposed budget! Budget Budget Budget