Beaver Activity Implications on Fish Community Assemblage
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Natural Resource Management
Mentor Information
C. "Griff" Griffin, griffinc@gvsu.edu
Department
Biology
Location
Kirkhof Center 1104
Start Date
13-4-2011 10:00 AM
End Date
13-4-2011 10:30 AM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
Beaver ponds can be home to many fish species and supports the rearing of young-of-year trout. Beaver impoundments have numerous benefits to an ecosystem as well. Beaver ponds create wetlands which are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Beaver dams increase biodiversity and improve water quality, maintain constant stream flows during droughts and by reducing flood damage, as well as stabilize the water table. Sylvan Creek is a small cold water stream located in Manistee County, MI This creek contains limited connectivity to other water bodies and is a primarily closed system. The purpose of this study is to compare fish assemblage and species abundance between immediately following a disturbance and six months post-disturbance. Fish species richness will be greater after reconstruction of the dam. Brooke trout density will increase in response to the rebuilt dam.
Beaver Activity Implications on Fish Community Assemblage
Kirkhof Center 1104
Beaver ponds can be home to many fish species and supports the rearing of young-of-year trout. Beaver impoundments have numerous benefits to an ecosystem as well. Beaver ponds create wetlands which are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Beaver dams increase biodiversity and improve water quality, maintain constant stream flows during droughts and by reducing flood damage, as well as stabilize the water table. Sylvan Creek is a small cold water stream located in Manistee County, MI This creek contains limited connectivity to other water bodies and is a primarily closed system. The purpose of this study is to compare fish assemblage and species abundance between immediately following a disturbance and six months post-disturbance. Fish species richness will be greater after reconstruction of the dam. Brooke trout density will increase in response to the rebuilt dam.