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Harvard Forest Symposium Abstract 2007

  • Title: Ecology of Headwater Streams
  • Primary Author: Betsy Colburn (Harvard Forest)
  • Additional Authors: William Sobczak (College of the Holy Cross)
  • Abstract:

    Intermittent headwater streams are poorly studied in Massachusetts. This research is evaluating the contribution of headwater streams to aquatic biodiversity, with long-term goals of (1) evaluating whether biota and function of these headwater streams fit within the theoretical paradigm established by the River Continuum Concept (Vannotte et al.), (2) contributing to volunteer monitoring, (3) improved regulatory protection of these systems, and (4) evaluating the long-term effects of hemlock decline in association with the invasion of the hemlock woolly adelgid in New England. Initial studies focused on mapping headwater streams throughout north-central Massachusetts; describing channel characteristics, substrate, gradient, flow, riparian vegetation, watershed forest composition, and abutting land use; intensive visual surveys and net sampling for stream salamanders (Gyrinophilus p. porphyriticus, Desmognathus f. fuscus, and Eurycea bislineata) and terrestrial salamanders (Plethodon cinereus, Notophthalamus viridescens) in randomly selected, area-constrained transects; dip-netting for aquatic macroinvertebrates; and assessing bryophyte cover and species composition in square-meter quadrats. Current work focuses on processing samples, expanding sampling effort throughout the entire year, and analysis of results.



    Vannote, R. L., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell, and C. E. Cushing. 1980. “The river continuum concept.” Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37(1): 130–137.



    Acknowledgements: This project has been supported by Harvard Forest, by a Environmental Monitoring grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, by the Harvard Forest REU program, and by volunteer hours donated by Holly Jensen Herrin, Douglas Williams, Joseph Choiniere, Joan Milam, and Cindy Dunn.

  • Research Category: Watershed Ecology