Ecology of Tammany Creek: A Preliminary Study for Watershed Restoration
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Michael Edgehouse
Abstract
The ecological health of a watershed is often determined by looking at species assemblages. The presence or absence of certain organisms can be indicative of an ecosystem’s health, because some organisms are more tolerant to disturbances such as pollution or human activity than others. In this study, a combination of terrestrial, aquatic, and habitat surveys were conducted to classify the ecological health of Tammany Creek, a known polluted stream in Lewiston, Idaho. The results indicate that “fairly substantial pollution is likely” with a Family Biotic Index of 5.18. This confirms past water quality analyses (e.g., IDEQ 2003) and provides a baseline set of data for future restoration projects within the Tammany Creek watershed.
Ecology of Tammany Creek: A Preliminary Study for Watershed Restoration
The ecological health of a watershed is often determined by looking at species assemblages. The presence or absence of certain organisms can be indicative of an ecosystem’s health, because some organisms are more tolerant to disturbances such as pollution or human activity than others. In this study, a combination of terrestrial, aquatic, and habitat surveys were conducted to classify the ecological health of Tammany Creek, a known polluted stream in Lewiston, Idaho. The results indicate that “fairly substantial pollution is likely” with a Family Biotic Index of 5.18. This confirms past water quality analyses (e.g., IDEQ 2003) and provides a baseline set of data for future restoration projects within the Tammany Creek watershed.
Comments
Poster #W13