Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Biological Sciences

Fertilizers rich in nitrogen and phosphorus have been implicated in toxic algal blooms and the eutrophication of Lake Erie. One method for mitigating nutrient runoff is the use of wetlands. Wetlands sequester and process nutrients via biogeochemical processes, decreasing the concentrations of nutrients that eventually reach a large body of water. Research on nutrient cycling in aquatic systems has mainly focused on the sediment, the plants, and the water. Few consider the potential impacts of animals in the system despite the evidence that animals play an important role in nutrient cycling in freshwater systems. Animals can directly move nutrients in and out of aquatic systems, as well as indirectly affect the nutrient budget by altering the ecosystem. The combined direct and indirect effects of animal-mediated nutrient cycling in a wetland system have not been adequately assessed. A few wetland mesocosm experiments have examined the influence of animals on wetland nutrient cycling, but most focus on one functional feeding group. In this study, I evaluated the role of aquatic macroinvertebrates from two functional feeding groups in wetland nutrient sequestration using in-field mesocosms containing macrophytes, in the recently constructed H2Ohio wetland at Oakwoods Nature Preserve (Findlay, OH, USA). Nitrogen and phosphorus content of the water column was measured over six days in response to the presence of each invertebrate. Six replicates of three treatments (snails, crayfish, or control) were installed for a total of 18 mesocosms. A nutrient pulse was added to mesocosms at the end of the experiment to mimic natural nutrient dynamics in an agricultural-adjacent wetland system and nutrient uptake was measured. The results suggest that the crayfish treatment altered nutrient cycling, increasing total nitrogen and total phosphorus iv levels and a decreasing light transmission. These changes could be attributed to bioturbation as the crayfish cre (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kevin McCluney Ph.D. (Advisor); Christopher Ward Ph.D. (Committee Member); Helen Michaels Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Conservation; Ecology; Freshwater Ecology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 0, Environment and Natural Resources

Antibiotic resistance is a serious problem caused by the overuse of antibiotics. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) into the environment, which further worsens the situation. Understanding the characteristics and impacts of ARB and ARGs in aquatic environments is essential to develop effective management strategies. However, directly measuring ARB and ARGs in water is challenging and expensive. Therefore, alternative, cost-effective methods are required to evaluate water quality parameters. One proposed method involves investigating microbial communities in aquatic environments, as they play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycles, nutrient transformations, and pollutant degradation. Additionally, aquatic macroinvertebrates, which are bioindicators for assessing freshwater ecosystem health, may have the potential to track ARB and ARGs. This study aims to determine the relationship between the diversity of macroinvertebrate and microbial communities in multiuse rivers and the occurrence and prevalence of ARB. Water samples were collected from six WWTPs discharging into three rivers in Ohio from May to August 2021. Bacterial analysis was conducted, targeting gram-negative bacteria carrying ARGs. Also, aquatic macroinvertebrates were sampled from standardized locations and sorted into vials for later identification. The Hill, Shannon, and Simpson's diversity indices were used to assess biodiversity. Scatterplot analyses were employed to visualize the relationship between biodiversity indices and ARB concentration. The results of the study showed variations in macroinvertebrate and microbial diversity indices associated with ARB. Higher Hill numbers correlated with lower ARB concentrations, but the variability made it difficult to establish a consistent pattern. This highlights the importance of continued investigation to mitigate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

Committee: Steve Lyon (Advisor); Laura Pomeroy (Committee Member); Mazeika Sullivan (Advisor) Subjects: Environmental Science; Microbiology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

Leaf litter breakdown rates are frequently employed as functional indicators of health in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. I deployed coarse mesh litter bags to measure organic matter processing during summer in three forested stream channels and three stream-wetland complexes constructed as part of a floodplain reconnection restoration project in western Pennsylvania. I predicted that in stream-wetland complexes, leaf litter breakdown would occur at a faster rate based on warmer temperatures, higher nutrient availability, and sunlight from the open canopy. Contrary to our expectations, litter decomposition over 56 days occurred at a slower rate at the stream-wetland complexes compared to the forested stream channels. Water chemistry, temperature, and the composition of macroinvertebrate communities in leaf litter bags differed between forested stream channels and stream-wetland complexes but was not correlated with leaf breakdown rates. I was unable to determine the role of Chl a on leaf litter breakdown in stream- wetland complexes due to the shade station not providing consistent shade. Macroinvertebrate communities differed significant between the forested unrestored sites and the stream-wetland complexes. The water chemistry indicated that the habitat was suitable for macroinvertebrates at all sites and nutrient availability was not significantly different.

Committee: Morgan Vis (Committee Member); Natalie Kruse (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Studies

PHD, Kent State University, 2022, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

Freshwater ecosystems serve as habitats for an array of macroinvertebrates and microorganisms. Macroinvertebrates are an integral part of freshwater ecosystems and their guts serve as habitats for various microorganisms, including bacteria. However, the role of freshwater macroinvertebrates and their gut microbiomes in performing ecosystem functions, including (but not limited to) biogeochemical processes, are relatively less explored than free-living microbiomes. The overall goal of this dissertation is to understand the contribution of freshwater macroinvertebrates towards nitrogen dynamics (denitrification in particular), antibiotic resistance, and the connection of these processes to bacterial community composition and function. Hence, I examined differences in antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) abundances and bacterial community composition among macroinvertebrate guts, sediment, and water microbiomes in an urban Northeast Ohio stream, looked at connection between denitrification functional genes and denitrification rates in crayfish guts, and effect of bioturbation on dissolved inorganic nitrogen, denitrification and bacterial abundance and community composition. Overall, the results showed that macroinvertebrate guts may serve as potential reservoirs of ARGs, however, we did not find evidence to show that macroinvertebrates serve as vectors of ARGs. Furthermore, we found that crayfish guts support both incomplete and complete denitrification while bioturbation by macroinvertebrates having different modes of burrowing influenced dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration and bacterial community composition differently. Future studies need to focus on extensive sampling to draw generalizations about the role of macroinvertebrates in antibiotic resistance and denitrification in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, such results when tested in field experiments can have implications on restoration and management decisions, and connect the effect of anthropogenic activi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Laura Leff PHD (Advisor) Subjects: Ecology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2021, Biological Sciences (Arts and Sciences)

Past anthropogenic activities have severely impacted stream function and lateral connectivity with floodplains. At Ryerson State Park and Robinson Run in Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection is reconnecting smaller stream channels with their floodplains to restore streams to pre-settlement conditions and increase water and nutrient retention. However, this method is controversial because it can lead to nutrient enrichment through exposure of legacy sediment resulting from floodplain grading which can impact biological communities. We investigated responses of periphyton, macroinvertebrates, and fish to nutrient levels (total N and P) at N=6-9 restored and unrestored sites in western Pennsylvania. Periphyton was collected from erosional rock scrubs. Benthic macroinvertebrates and fish were sampled along a 100-meter reach. We found no strong biological evidence of detrimental nutrient levels following restoration; drainage area played a greater role in the response of chlorophyll a. Macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass and CF/SC feeding groups strongly followed trends of increasing drainage area and chlorophyll a. Fish abundance and biomass was also strongly influenced by drainage area, with only slight deviations in the pattern with central stoneroller minnows.

Committee: Kelly Johnson (Advisor); Viorel Popescu (Committee Member); Natalie Kruse Daniels (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Freshwater Ecology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2020, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

Urban stormwater runoff has become of increasing concern as urban sprawl has increased over decades. With more impervious surfaces, stormwater quickly passes into freshwater ecosystems with little to no water percolating into the soil. Even if there are not impervious surfaces, stormwater may pass over agricultural lands where nitrogen and phosphorus are easily available to flow into aquatic environments. Management plans are now using different strategies to filter out sediment and nutrients before they enter lotic or large lentic ecosystems. These small ponds or constructed wetlands have larger pieces of sediment settle before they have an opportunity to flow into a larger water body. While this has shown to be a successful and useful tool to filter out materials, horizontal (lateral) movement of water during flood events has become a concern. Species in a wetland can migrate in and out of the wetland into a lentic or lotic ecosystem, returning for refuge and breeding habits. If the wetland and larger water body become cut off they develop their own line of succession. The purpose of this study is to understand and characterize the water quality between an urban stormwater wetland and the headwaters of the Hocking River. Evaluate differences of biotic assemblages in the two water bodies and present information to the neighboring AHA! A Hands-On Adventure A Children's Museum. These goals are done by conducting: fish, invertebrate, crayfish and field parameter tests.

Committee: Natalie Kruse Daniels (Advisor); Nancy Stevens (Advisor); Kelly Johnson (Committee Chair) Subjects: Agricultural Education; Animal Sciences; Aquaculture; Aquatic Sciences; Art Education; Arts Management; Biology; Chemistry; Climate Change; Communication; Early Childhood Education; Earth; Ecology; Education; Entomology; Environmental Education; Environmental Studies; Hydrology; Industrial Arts Education; Multimedia Communications; Museum Studies; Museums; Pedagogy; Physical Education; Sustainability; Teacher Education; Teaching; Technical Communication; Urban Planning

PHD, Kent State University, 2020, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

Freshwater ecosystems are under threat due to ongoing global changes and organic matter decomposition in streams is one at-risk process. The decomposition of organic matter in streams is not only an essential process for downstream food webs, but it also provides direct resources for headwater systems. This dissertation focuses on understanding potential factors influencing the decomposition of leaf litter in both tropical and temperate streams, as well as how these same factors influence invertebrates which feed upon decaying organic matter. First, the importance of seasonal hydrologic patterns on premontane rainforests streams in Costa Rica was studied. Surprisingly, decomposition progressed more rapidly during the dry season than the rainy season, with more macroinvertebrates present during the dry season. Next, in the same premontane rainforest streams experimental rock gabion cages were installed at natural bifurcations to divert small flood disturbances away from one channel, while the other reach remained free flowing. From this, it was determined that small predictable disturbances did alter decay rates, but not detritivore macroinvertebrate communities. In contrast, larger flood disturbances had a consequently greater impact on community dynamics. Finally, we studied the decomposition and invertebrate colonization of non-native invasive Frangula alnus leaves versus native Cornus amomum leaves in Northeast Ohio streams. It was determined that Frangula alnus decomposes more quickly with less invertebrates present, than Cornus amomum which had more macroinvertebrates residing on the leaf litter. This dissertation reveals that the processes control decomposition of leaf litter in streams is complex, and that both environmental, biotic, and abiotic can both influence the rate at which decay progresses.

Committee: Ferenc de Szalay (Advisor); Oscar J. Rocha (Advisor) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Ecology; Entomology; Environmental Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Environment and Natural Resources

Urbanization of watersheds leads to myriad changes to streams, including modified sediment and streamflow regimes that can result in altered fluvial geomorphic processes and channel structure. Hydrogeomorphic features have been linked to community composition of aquatic biota, as well as to stream ecosystem functioning. Biotic communities in urban stream ecosystems can be markedly different than their counterparts in more natural streams, often exhibiting reduced abundance, diversity, and shifts in assemblage composition, though the specific mechanisms through which urban land use and subsequent hydrogeomorphic modification effects these changes remain unresolved. Hydrogeomorphic modifications may impact both instream habitat as well as connectivity to the surrounding landscape, influencing both biotic assemblage composition as well as ecological connectivity between streams and their adjacent riparian zones. In 23 small urban stream reaches in the Columbus Metropolitan Area (CMA), Ohio, USA, I investigated potential linkages between urban-induced hydrogeomorphic characteristics and: (1) fish assemblage compositional changes over time (3-5 years); (2) fish assemblage trophic dynamics; (3) aquatic-to-terrestrial nutritional subsidies to a common riparian consumer (spiders of the family Tetragnathidae); and (4) downstream drift of larval macroinvertebrates in the water column. Hydrogeomorphic features related to instream habitat, the hydraulic environment (e.g., slope, shear stress, D50 [median bed sediment particle size]) and stream-floodplain connectivity (e.g., entrenchment ratio, sinuosity, incision ratio) emerged as common influences on fish assemblage composition and trophic dynamics, aquatic-terrestrial connectivity, and invertebrate drift. At a subset of 12 study reaches, several hydrogeomorphic variables showed significant changes over 3-5 years, with many decreasing (e.g., discharge [by 39%], slope [by 0.1%], and shear stress [by 29%, which decreased in co (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mažeika Sullivan PhD (Advisor); Lauren Pintor PhD (Committee Member); Charles Goebel PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Science

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2018, Biological Sciences

Macroinvertebrates are important contributors to wetland ecosystems due to their role in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and as a food resource for other organisms. Several studies have analyzed the macroinvertebrate communities in created wetlands, but few have evaluated them in the context of trophic structure in both created and natural wetlands. The objective of this study is to better understand benthic macroinvertebrate community composition and trophic structure in created and natural wetlands. My central hypotheses were that macroinvertebrate communities in created wetlands would have (1) differing composition and (2) less complex trophic structure with shorter food-chain length compared to natural wetlands. Macroinvertebrates and soil cores were collected from five created and two natural depressional marshes. I assessed macroinvertebrate community characteristics such as diversity and composition, and functional feeding group composition. I used stable isotope analysis to determine food-chain length and other trophic metrics. Soil cores were used to determine bulk density, texture, and the C:N profile of the soil in the wetlands. Through a combination of univariate (e.g. ANOVA) and multivariate analyses (e.g. NMDS, PERMANOVA) these conclusions were met: (1) Macroinvertebrate taxa composition differed statistically between wetland types (p= 0.05); (2) FCL did not differ significantly between wetland types. In addition, functional feeding group composition was trending toward significance (p = 0.095), and soils were found to be distinct between wetland types (p= 0.043), with bulk density being a strong driver of that relationship (p= 0.012). These results show that in these wetlands, macroinvertebrate species present are different, however the overall function they provide are very similar between wetland types. The habitat characteristics in created wetlands that are known to quickly develop (e.g. plant community composition) were similar to the natural we (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Katie Hossler Ph.D. (Advisor); Yvonne Vadeboncoeur Ph.D. (Committee Member); Volker Bahn Ph.D. (Committee Member); John Stireman Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Ecology; Entomology; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2018, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

The primary purpose of this thesis research is to explore relationships between large woody debris (LWD), biological integrity, and bank stability within intermittent headwater streams in the Alleghany Plateau ecoregion. Ten streams were selected from throughout the ecoregion to determine correlations between the amounts of naturally occurring LWD, defined as any piece of woody with a diameter greater than 0.1 m and 0.5 m in length, macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance, stream power, substrate characteristics (pebble counts) and relative bank stability using a modified bank erosion index. We hypothesized that streams with higher quantities of naturally occurring woody debris will have hydraulic alteration that increases bank stability, and provide better habitat for macroinvertebrates. Specifically, we hypothesized woody debris volume will be positively correlated with Headwater Macroinvertebrate Field Evaluation Index, percent EPT, # of individuals, taxa richness, median particle size and modified Bank Erosion Hazard Index. Other stream characteristics were calculated to understand overall stream function, such as gradient, flow, stream power, unit stream power, and land use. To test this hypothesis a correlation matrix was created to determine any significant relationships between variables. Woody debris volume was positively correlated with drainage area (R=0.836; p=0.003) and flow (R=0.925; p=0.0001). HMFEI was positively correlated with gradient (R=0.739, p=0.015) and taxa richness (R=0.943, p << 0.001). Percent EPT and taxa richness was positively correlated with median particle size (R=0.657, P=0.039; R=0.645, P=0.044). Ultimately, LWD volume did not impact bank stability, median particle size, or macroinvertebrates, suggesting that in the examined low gradient headwater streams, LWD is not the dominating factor in stream geomorphology or biology. However, gradient and median particle size were important variables in determining macroinvertebrate rich (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kelly Johnson PhD (Committee Chair); Gregory Springer PhD (Committee Member); Natalie Kruse PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Freshwater Ecology; Hydrology

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2006, Plant Biology (Arts and Sciences)

In Ohio, fish and macroinvertebrates are the organisms of choice for assessment of biological condition in wadable streams. Macroinvertebrates are used to calculate the invertebrate community index (ICI) in order to assign a site score of 0-60, and classification of Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. This study aimed to show the utility of the diatom community in classifying streams as well as the ICI, evaluate sensitivity of potential diatom metrics and the diatom index of biotic integrity (DIBI) to acid mine drainage pollution (AMD), and assemble promising metrics into an index that could be used to characterize health of AMD stressed streams. To accomplish this task, macroinvertebrates, diatoms and water samples were collected from 41 stream segments in southeastern Ohio. Water samples were analyzed for nutrients (P04, N03,), alkalinity, pH, conductivity, and AMD indiators (Fe, Mn, and SO4). The ICI metrics showed significant (p < 0.05) correlations with many stream chemistry variables. Four DIBI metrics showed significant correlations with more than two chemical variables. Several ICI metrics showed correlations with DIBI metrics and DIBI scores were significantly correlated with ICI scores. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis produced a tree using five DIBI metrics to characterize streams based on their ICI narrative grouping (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor). A modified DIBI (AMD-DIBI) was created using 3 original metrics plus six additional metrics that were determined to be more sensitive to AMD stress. The AMD-DIBI proved to have a much-improved relationship with the ICI (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). This AMD-DIBI may be a useful tool for assessing biotic integrity when obtaining an ICI score is not feasible.

Committee: Morgan Vis (Advisor) Subjects: Biology, Limnology

BS, Kent State University, 2017, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

Research shows that changes in surrounding land use may have negative impacts on freshwater benthic systems through changes in surrounding physical habitat, increased nutrient inputs, or non-point pollution (Neumann & Dudgeon 2002). Riparian zone condition can alter erosion and sediment input, temperature, and food availability. Benthic macroinvertebrates play a key role in ecosystem processing in freshwater systems and are indicators of environmental stress. Although the effects of agricultural land use has been studied in temperate regions, little research has been done in Costa Rica, where high deforestation rates are threatening tropical montane forests (Foster 2001). This study compares invertebrate communities between protected forested streams and streams surrounded by agricultural land to understand how macrohabitat and microhabitat features affect richness, diversity, and community composition. Forested streams had significantly higher richness, diversity, habitat indicator scores, and QHEI scores. Channel morphology and riparian zone condition scores were significantly higher in forested streams. Riffles had more similar communities than pools based on Bray- Curtis dissimilarity. Overall, agricultural streams are a less suitable habitat for benthic macroinvertebrates but it is still unclear if microhabitat or macrohabitat differences have a stronger effect on community structure. This study reflects the importance of understanding how natural variation compares to large-scale land use. As agricultural expansion continues, we must understand how this will affect stream systems so we are able to mitigate any negative effects.

Committee: Oscar Rocha PhD (Advisor); Emmaleigh Given MS (Other); Alison Smith PhD (Committee Chair); Linda Spurlock PhD (Committee Member); Ferenc de Szelay PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Ecology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2016, Environmental Science

Environmental stewardship is an underlying theme in outdoor education (OE) and environmental education (EE), but maintaining natural areas in a sustainable balance between conservation and preservation requires knowledge about how natural areas respond to anthropogenic disturbance. My five-part study investigated the effects of disturbance on aquatic macroinvertebrates caused by frequent in-stream activity by students during OE stream classes. I conducted an observational study of stream classes at Heartland Outdoor School (henceforth, Heartland) in Morrow County, Ohio during April to June and September to October, 2012 to determine the methods by which students explore the stream. Subsequently, I conducted a year-long disturbance study from February 2013 to January 2014 at two sites (one site impacted by student activity and one site unimpacted by student activity) in upper Alum Creek on the Heartland property following a modified BACI design. The year-long study enabled analysis of trends in the macroinvertebrate community in three distinct channel units (i.e., riffles, runs, and pools) throughout the year including two disturbance periods (mid-April to early June and mid-September to mid-November) when stream classes are regularly active at the impacted site. Results showed evidence of student-induced disturbance for taxa richness in riffles and taxa richness and Chironomidae abundance in runs. No direct evidence of student-induced disturbance was found in pools. During April and May, 2014 I conducted a six-week substrate movement and rock colonization study in upper Alum Creek to investigate the extent to which students cause rock movement and the extent to which rocks are colonized by macroinvertebrates at the impacted site compared to the unimpacted site. Results showed that in base flow conditions students caused rocks to move upstream, laterally, and vertically at the impacted site to a greater extent than hydrologic activity caused at the unimpacted site. M (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Susan Fisher Dr. (Advisor); Richard Moore Dr. (Committee Member); Kristi Lekies Dr. (Committee Member); David Denlinger Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Entomology; Environmental Education; Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2016, Environmental Sciences

The following report contains a summary of my experience interning as a Macroinvertebrate Sampling Intern with the Division of Surface Water at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Based out of the Groveport Field Office in Groveport, Ohio, my internship consisted chiefly of assisting in the collection of macroinvertebrate samples from streams and their tributaries throughout the state. This macroinvertebrate data can be used by the agency to make policy decisions, direct enforcement activities, and locate areas for improvement and further study.

Committee: Suzanne Zazycki (Advisor); Sarah Dumyahn (Committee Member); Jonathan Levy (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Science

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2015, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

Coal mining is disruptive to ecosystems and causes both chemical and physical changes in the local environment that alter water chemistry, habitat quality, and aquatic biota. The East Branch of Raccoon Creek, Ohio is highly impacted by preregulation coal mining and contains 10 steel slag leach beds that passively treat low pH, Fe and Al-rich waters. Water chemistry, sediment chemistry, aquatic macroinvertebrate richness and diversity, habitat quality, and stream gradient were examined along the mainstem and a headwater tributary. Gradient showed no significant relationship with sediment quality. Higher flows increased instream concentrations of Fe and increased the portion of suspended Fe in the water column. Macroinvertebrate richness and diversity varies from good to very poor and is negatively correlated with sediment As, Cu, Fe and Mn, and multiple water quality parameters such as specific conductivity (µS/cm), pH, and TDS (mg/L).

Committee: Natalie Kruse Dr. (Advisor); Kelly Johnson Dr. (Committee Member); Dina Lopez Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Entomology; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Geology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology; Geochemistry; Geology; Geomorphology; Mining

Master of Science in Environmental Science, Youngstown State University, 2014, Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geology and Environmental Sciences

Water is the human population's most scarce resource. Human impacts such as urbanization, agriculture and channelization have an effect on water and stream quality. Channelization, the straightening of streams to better fit human land use needs, was a common practice in northeast Ohio. While the channelization of streams is useful for agriculture and for other purposes, it is a major stress for natural aquatic systems. A 4 km-long (~2.5 miles) portion of Snyder Ditch, Orwell, NE Ohio, was channelized in the early 1900s for agricultural drainage. This study evaluates stream quality of this channelized system utilizing water chemistry, macroinvertebrate diversity studies and stream habitat assessment. Stream quality was compared against Ohio EPA stream use designation of warmwater habitat for three sampling dates: May, August and October 2013. It was initially hypothesized that stream quality would not reach warmwater habitat standards, as designated by the Ohio EPA. The results surpassed the original expectation of the stream; however, still did not reach warmwater habitat designation criteria. Dissolved oxygen levels were near the required 5 mg/L with most of the sampling dates having low levels of nutrients (nitrate, phosphate and ammonia). There was good overall diversity and density of macroinvertebrates and a higher than anticipated number of pollution sensitive taxa. The largest difference in stream quality was due to the stream habitat or lack thereof. Areas that contained some stream sinuosity, better substrate or more diverse riparian area had better density and diversity of macroinvertebrates. Therefore, with some habitat alterations or restoration, the stream quality has the potential to improve to warmwater criteria. This work, in addition to other ongoing projects, may lead to a better understanding of environmental parameters at this site, which would help land-owners develop better strategies for land management and restoration.

Committee: Felicia Armstrong Ph.D. (Advisor); Thomas Diggins Ph.D. (Committee Member); C.Robin Mattheus Ph.D. (Committee Member); Alex Czayka (Committee Member) Subjects: Ecology; Environmental Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Regulatory Biology, Cleveland State University, 2014, College of Sciences and Health Professions

This dissertation focused on the insect order Plecoptera, and hypothesized that Allocapnia recta populations would have lower genetic diversity than Leuctra tenuis between adjacent Chagrin and Grand Rivers due to wing structure and season of terrestrial adult emergence. Genetic variations within the 16s rRNA region of mtDNA in A. recta, a winter emerging adult with rudimentary wing structure, and L. tenuis, a summer emerging adult with fully developed wings, were compared and revealed significant genetic variability between A. recta samples from the two rivers (FST = 0.20) but not between L. tenuis samples (FST = 0.07). Further genetic variation investigation used A. recta, populations, within and between the Chagrin River and Grand River, hypothesized that differences in populations is a function of distance, and that greater distance leads to greater genetic variability. To strengthen the robustness of this work, samples were collected from two additional watersheds, the Rocky and Cuyahoga Rivers. Genetic variation of A. recta populations differed significantly across all four watersheds, especially between the Cuyahoga and Grand Rivers (G'ST = 1), Rarity of movement regardless of distance suggests that other factors have a more profound effect than previously thought – factors that include human influences. The unresolved genetic variation of A. recta and potential human influence resulted in a holistic examination of macroinvertebrate community structure and ecology within the four watersheds. Both legacy land use and anthropogenic disturbance effects on seasonal variation were examined and it was hypothesized that: (1) greatest species diversity and richness among stoneflies and other macroinvertebrates will occur during the summer months, when weather conditions in Ohio are more conducive. (2) The greatest species diversity and richness among stoneflies and other macroinvertebrates will occur where the landscape has been historically l (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Julie Wolin PhD (Committee Chair); Robert Krebs PhD (Committee Member); Joe Keiper PhD (Committee Member); Michael Walton PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Molecular Biology

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 2014, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

In August of 2009 a flashflood scoured an assemblage of fourteen 1st -- 3rd- order headwater streams surrounding Zoar Valley Canyon in western New York State USA. Macroinvertebrate composition, watershed variables, and habitat features of these streams were quantitated in 2006 and reported in the peer-reviewed literature. The objective of this study was to determine long-term disturbance effects within these impacted streams, particularly as relation to meta-community assembly. Biotic and environmental assessments from 2011, 2012, and 2013 mirrored those from 2006, with biota collected from riffle/cobble segments by Surber net, and environmental/habitat variables quantified by a widely used Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) that assesses in-stream and riparian characteristics. In- stream environmental variables such as substrate diversity and in-stream cover initially declined in quality and converged leading to homogenization of stream patches. Dissimilarity among stream communities for both biotic and environmental characteristic from year to year (assessed by Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ordination) revealed that streams were differentially impacted and also suggested changes in meta-community composition in response to the disturbance. In 2006, partial correlations suggested a niche-based species sorting of organisms, whereas by 2011, this structuring was lost, suggesting a switch to either equivalence based neutral theory or homogenous patch dynamics. By 2013, although QHEI numbers were reaching pre-flood values, an environmental/biotic partial correlation (as seen in 2006) had yet to re-emerge, suggesting that macroinvertebrate communities were still facing the effects of this disturbance.

Committee: Thomas Diggins PhD (Advisor); Ian Renne PhD (Committee Member); Carl Johnston PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Ecology; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2014, Environmental Sciences

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) was organized in 1948 to direct the coordination and action of water quality improvement within the Ohio River Basin (ORB). Numerous monitoring programs were developed to implement this intent, with focus on conducting biological assessments, assessing chemical and physical attributes of waterways, setting wastewater discharge standards, and promoting volunteer monitoring programs. During a 2013 field season internship, environmental specialists monitored ORB water sources through biological, water quality, and water resource programs. Results from these programs indicate the entire Ohio River "partially supports" fish consumption use, two-thirds of the Ohio River is "impaired" for contact recreation use support, rivers and streams should be evaluated on a national scale, and ORB water resources may be at risk from climate change effects. Observed trends will supply policy makers with information to make wise decisions that effectively manage, restore, and protect waters within the ORB.

Committee: Jonathan Levy Ph.D. (Advisor); Thomas Crist Ph.D. (Committee Member); Donna McCollum Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science; Water Resource Management

Master of Science in Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 2011, Department of Biological Sciences and Chemistry

Biotic communities in low order streams are influenced by multiple factors that may reflect both environmental conditions within individual watersheds, and also bio-geographic considerations such as spatial proximity of streams and organism dispersal/recruitment abilities. Prior work in small streams of Western New York (Allegheny Plateau) revealed little or no spatial structuring of biota among separate steams, but instead convincing effects of stream and watershed environmental factors. In this study, we further explored the roles of spatial vs. environmental influences by now comparing 1st - 3rd-order streams longitudinally within a stream network in addition to comparing physically separated streams. Within-stream drift adds a new dispersal dimension that is not present between streams. Four stream networks, each with a consecutive series of a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd order segment, were selected in a contiguously wooded sector (2nd growth through moderately disturbed old growth northern hardwoods) of Allegheny State Park near the Pennsylvania border. Three replicate Surber samples and a qualitative sample were collected from each stream site in fall 2010 and spring 2011. Similarity/dissimilarity among streams was explored by Euclidean distance matrices for community composition, stream/watershed environmental characteristics (in-stream habitat, watershed land cover, etc.), and spatial distance. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination of community composition and Principal Components Analysis ordination of environmental variables of the twelve stream segments were employed. Community composition of in-stream biota was based on the identification of 117 taxa representing fifty-three families. Spearman rank correlation indicated ten out of twelve of most abundant taxa were associated with the larger streams, trending away from the first orders. A One-Factor ANOVA of site-to-site biotic distances revealed no significant differences among longitudinal within str (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Thomas Diggins PhD (Advisor); Ian Renne PhD (Committee Member); Felicia Armstrong PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aquatic Sciences; Biology; Ecology; Macroecology