DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/MK1N-2C83

Defense Date

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Leonard Smock

Abstract

Vernal pools are often defined as seasonal pools that typically are inundated beginning in the winter and then drying out completely in summer. Though evidence of spatial and temporal variability in the macroinvertebrate communities of vernal pools has been found in previous studies, it has not been studied extensively. The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent of variability in the macroinvertebrate communities within vernal pools closely situated in a forested landscape. An effort was made to explain this variability with respect to certain physiochemical environmental variables of the pools. Significant variability was observed in the macroinvertebrate communities within the vernal pools both spatially and temporally. Water temperature, as an indicator of seasonal changes, was strongly correlated with the observed variations. Higher species richness and diversity were observed in the pools in winter than in spring 2007. Chironomidae was the most diverse family (8 genera) occurring in these vernal pools. At the beginning of inundation, amphipods and copepods were more abundant. β-diversity was low in both winter and spring 2007; α-diversity in winter was high and low in spring 2007.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

7-27-2009

Included in

Biology Commons

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