• Login
    View Item 
    •   MINDS@UW Home
    • MINDS@UW La Crosse
    • Murphy Library, UWL
    • UW-L Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   MINDS@UW Home
    • MINDS@UW La Crosse
    • Murphy Library, UWL
    • UW-L Theses & Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Improving habitat: periphyton and macroinvertebrate colonization on large wood in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River

    Thumbnail
    File(s)
    Henderson_Jeffrey_Thesis.pdf (1.172Mb)
    Date
    2020-12
    Author
    Henderson, Jeffrey
    Henderson, Jeffrey
    Advisor(s)
    Thomsen, Meredith
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Large wood is an important restoration tool in aquatic ecosystems as it has a variety of geomorphological and ecological benefits. We have limited knowledge regarding the role of large wood in large rivers as most research focuses on streams and small rivers. This research aims to understand the characteristics and dynamics of large wood in Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi River while examining environmental conditions that influence periphyton accrual and macroinvertebrate colonization on wood. We surveyed naturally occurring large wood along shorelines of reconstructed islands between September and July and deployed wood substrate samplers across varying flow habitats in June that were sampled biweekly until September. The positive net change in wood abundance (+3.2 pieces) and shift in wood characteristics (unattached, dry, and bare without bark) along this flow gradient suggests that flow dynamic is a primary factor influencing wood abundance and mobilization. Arthropod dry mass (1.1 mg/cm2), abundance (73 individuals), and richness (3 order taxa) were greatest in higher flow habitats where additional habitat substrate was limited, whereas periphyton accrual was similar across flows. The information we provide on use of wood substrates by periphyton and macroinvertebrates across habitat conditions may be further used to link higher trophic level interactions with large wood. Overall, this study supports that large wood is an effective tool in restoration efforts aimed at improving habitat heterogeneity by increasing available substrate.
    Subject
    Aquatic ecology
    Biology
    Wood
    Periphyton
    Habitat (Ecology)
    Permanent Link
    http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/81736
    Part of
    • UW-L Theses & Dissertations

    Contact Us | Send Feedback
     

     

    Browse

    All of MINDS@UWCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Contact Us | Send Feedback