1. Discover Life in West Virginia ( )
Ross G. Andrew and R. Daniel Hanks
Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Program, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26505;
Introduction
Species distribution data is important for monitoring and conservation.
Students at WVU in the American Fisheries Society with support of Professor Dr. Kyle Hartman led a citizen science program at Coopers Rock State Forest September 13-14, 2014, called “Discover Life in West Virginia” (DLiWV).
Citizens and students helped collect scientific information and learned about fish and aquatic macroinvetrebrates in headwater streams.
This effort was funded through the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources cooperative Research and Education/Management Grant Program.
Creek Chub
Methods
Sampling occurred September 13 and 14, 2014.
Water quality was measured using a YSI meter (Yellow Springs International computer module: 650 MDS).
Fish were sampled using a Halltech backpack electrofisher (model HT2000) in each of four 100 m sites in both Clay and Scott Runs.
Fish were weighed, measured to length, and identified to species stream side.
Aquatic macroninvertebrates were sampled with a kicknet at four points in each 100 m sample site.
Aquatic macroinvertebrates were returned to the laboratory and identified to lowest possible taxonomic group (typically genus) using a dissecting microscope.
West Virginia Stream Condition Index (WVSCI), a method to evaluate stream ecosystem health, was implemented.
Stonefly
Photo Credit: Daniel Hanks
Figure 2
Caddisfly
Discussion
Water Quality
Water quality parameters do not appear to be a limiting factor for aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish in Clay and Scott Runs.
Fish
The fish taxonomic richness is depauperate and we believe Clay and Scott Runs could support a more diverse fish community (e.g., Johnny Darters, Blacknose Dace, Mottled Sculpin, and Brook Trout).
Addition of fish species will require introduction (potentially for several years), monitoring, and evaluation of successful reproduction of each species.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
WVSCI scores for Clay and Scott Run are not comparable to a reference condition stream (i.e., highest quality stream) and therefore may benefit from some mitigation efforts.
Low fish richness and poor WVSCI scores may be a result of legacy effects and ongoing anthropogenic disturbance within each watershed
Kentschools.net
Study Objectives
Objective 1: Identify fish taxa within spatially distinct streams within Coopers Rock State Forest.
In order to meet this objective, we will attempt to answer the following questions:
What is the species composition and distribution of fishes in sampled streams?
Are there any fish species/communities of concern or special interest in sampled streams?
Objective 2: Identify macroinvertebrate taxa within spatially distinct streams within Coopers Rock State Forest.
What is the taxonomic composition and distribution of aquatic macroinvertebrates in sampled streams?
Are there any aquatic macroinverebrate species/communities of concern or special interest in sampled streams?
What do the macroinvertebrate composition data tell us about the water quality of these streams?
Objective 3: Engage community members in the scientific process via DLiWV.
Results
Water Quality
Temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/L), and conductivity (µS/cm3) were within normal bounds for the region.
Fish
Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) was the only fish species captured in Scott Run. Zero fish were captured in Clay Run.
In Scott Run there are an estimated 54 Creek Chubs per 100m.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
There were 39 families and 50 genera of aquatic macroinvertebrates found in Scott Run ( 𝑥 genus=21.5) and Clay Run ( 𝑥 genus=16.8) (Figure 2a).
Clay Run had an average abundance per square meter of individuals, while Scott Run’s average abundance per square meter was individuals (Figure 2b).
Percent EPT was higher in Clay Run (53.2) than in Scott Run (19.4).
Percent Chironomidae was lower in Clay Run (37.3) than in Scott Run (51.0).
Average WVSCI score was higher in Clay Run (60.9) than in Scott Run (53.6).
Community Participation
There were a total of 42 participants in the two day DLiWV event.
Eleven of the 42 were members of the general public.
Thirty one of the 42 were undergraduate and graduate students at WVU.
Site Selection and Experimental Design
2014 sampling occurred on the south side of Coopers Rock State Forest (Figure 1).
In each of the two watersheds selected (Clay Run and Scott Run) there were four locations sampled for water quality, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and fish.
Funding and Support
Figure 1