Macroinvertebrate Leaf Species Preference: A Comparative Study

Abstract:

The purpose of this project was to find out which leaves macroinvertebretes prefer.

The hypothesis was macroinvertebretes would prefer Sugar Maple leaves. The Stroud Water Research Center protocol for collecting macroinvertebretes was followed using twenty-seven leaf packs in Sugar Creek. Three data collection points were identified at the site, using nine bags at each site, one for each type of leaves, which were tied to concrete blocks. The data did not support the hypothesis at all three data collection points. Several factors affecting the data, during the seventeen days the leaf packs were in Sugar Creek, were high water, ice, and tangled lines. The data, however, showed there was minimal affect high water had on this research. Ice and tangled lines probably resulted in significant loss of macroinvertebretes during the collection of the first data set. The data showed macroinvertebretes had no preference to the nine leaf species. Macroinvertebretes seem to be opportunists and will live wherever there is shelter and food. Other relevant research can be done in the future such as finding water quality to help manage this important resource.