Comparison of disturbed and undisturbed wetland communities using vegetation, aquatic macroinvertebrate and landscape analyses

Abstract

Understanding the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on wetland communities is necessary and vital to development, reclamation and restoration projects. Two nearby sites, one catastrophically disturbed by flooding and one relatively undisturbed that have increasing development on their watersheds, were compared. Field vegetation analysis three years after the flood showed significant differences in percent annuals, percent perennials, percent forbs and percent fems (p<.005). Aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling of riffle and still habitats in both areas found differences in pollution tolerant families. Water quality variables of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates and phosphates were not determined to be different at the disturbed and undisturbed sites. Soil analysis found texture and percent organic matter differences that correspond to the sites' biotic and abiotic variables. GIS analysis using USGS 1:250,000 Digital Elevation Model and SCS soil survey maps for erosion risk, soil types, topography and vegetation potential analysis found similar results in the surrounding watersheds of the two sites. These analyses of vegetation, macroinveterbrate, landscape, water quality and soil help in understanding the temporal and spatial relationships between wetland communities and the disturbances that affect them.