Tuesday, May 27, 2008
187

Long-term monitoring of large spring ecosystems at ozark national scenic riverways, Missouri

Catherine E. Ciak, David E. Bowles, and Hope R. Dodd. Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network, US National Park Service, 404 WaterCress Drive, P.O. Box 490, Van Buren, MO 63965

Over 300 springs occur at Ozark National Scenic Riverways (OZAR).  Six of these springs are first and second magnitude and are among the largest springs in North America. These springs are at risk of impairment due to contamination of groundwater and transport of contaminants through the soluble karst substrate. We have developed a protocol to monitor aquatic vegetation, aquatic invertebrates, fish, and their associated habitats in the large springs at OZAR.  Our protocol employs a transect-based design borrowed from existing national protocols but with modifications appropriate for these unique and fragile systems. Protocol objectives are to determine the annual status and trends in diversity, abundance and community metrics for vegetation, invertebrates, and fish, and relate this data to overall water quality and habitat condition.  Data collected from 2004-2007 and historical data shows a diverse assemblages of aquatic vegetation (46 species) and aquatic invertebrates (66 genera from over 50 families).  Fish species richness is low with only 4 and 8 species being recorded from Welch and Alley springs, respectively.  Evenness, dominance and other diversity measures vary widely among the six springs.  Our data are crucial for Park managers making management decisions necessary to protect these rare and sensitive resources.

 



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