Title: Seasonal Variation Response to Stream Urbanization

(Research Advisor: Dr. Seth Reice,
Mentors: Thure Caire, Dr. Tom Cuffney, Elise Giddings)

Kristen A. Beckert

Different urbanization levels in streams have an effect on macroinvertebrate community structure and the way these animals respond to normal seasonal cycles. Five streams, each representing a certain level of surrounding urban land use, were chosen to sample for living organisms.  After sampling once in August and again in January, macroinvertebrates have been collected, counted, and identified to genus level. By comparing the two seasonal communities present in each different stream and among streams, responses to urban development in the ecology and water quality of natural streams is witnessed. In a large scale, human development of land has impacted the way natural change interacts with living things as well as physical environment. Limits to urbanization levels could prevent ecological harm and negative effects to the human water supply and quality of life.