Evaluation of the Potential
Impacts of Human Disturbance on Benthic Communities in
Tributaries of the Niobrara National Scenic River
Kyle Hoagland
Water Center/School of Natural Resources
University of Nebraska
Abstract: The
overall goal of this project is to assess the relative
extent of benthic macro-invertebrate disturbance by river
users in tributaries of the Niobrara National Scenic River
and its overall impact on stream health. This assessment
will be used to evaluate resource management practices in
these unique habitats, while also serving as a basis for
future comparisons to assess habitat degradation. Past water
quality data and macro-invertebrate inventories will be
evaluated, sampling sites established above and below
potentially impacted stream segments, benthic communities
will be sampled from spring through fall based on standard
protocols and methods, samples will be sorted to the lowest
practicable taxon and potentially impacted sites will be
compared to control sites using standard metrics including
community similarity indices and statistical analyses, and a
complete report will be presented to the Great Plains
Limnology Conference (or a similar regional meeting) with a
manuscript submitted to a peer-review journal.
Funding Agency:
National Park Service
Modification # J6630-06-0007 $5,382
Mod/0001 $5,000
Mod/0002 $10,616
$20,998
Effective Dates: April 14, 2006 through April 30, 2008
