Widener University Journal of
Undergraduate
Ecological Research

    The research inquiry journal for the course
         Biology 301, Introduction to Ecology.

         Volume 5, Number 2, Fall 1997

         Dr. Bruce W. Grant, "Editor"
         Department of Biology,
         Widener University , Chester, PA, 19013.
         office Kirk. 200, 610-499-4017.
         grant@pop1.science.widener.edu


Please Read This Comment.

           The abstracts at this site were written by junior or senior undergraduates and are the culmination of semester long ecological research inquiries that are a core component of my ecology course at Widener University. These students are biology, environmental science, or science education majors and minors for whom my course is required.

           These abstracts (and the manuscripts to which they refer) have been peer reviewed by other students in the class according to specific guidelines I have generated for format, clarity, and the student reviewers' assessment of the scientific merit of their peer's manuscript.

           It is important for interested visitors of this site to understand that the results of the research inquiries reported in this journal are the results of course projects designed, conducted, and reviewed by undergraduate students in an ecology course.

           You are welcome to download some or all of the material I have posted at this site for your use in your ecology course. This does not include commercial uses for profit. If you do use any lengthy exerpts (more than 2 lines) of the material above, I request that you formally acknowledge this site and/or sites I have acknowledged as the source(s). I also request that you reciprocate and send me a copy of your ecology materials so that I may see what you have put together.

    Please send comments to me: grant@pop1.science.widener.edu.

    Copyright: Bruce W. Grant, 1998.



Volume 5, Number 2, Biology 301, Fall 1997.
  • 1. The Effect of Riparian Buffers on the Ecology of Ridley Creek in Southeastern PA. Hazel Lafleur-Vetter and Julie Fekete.

  • 2. Water Quality in the Chester, Ridley, and Crum Creeks. Mathew Ginalick, Richard A. Moss, and William J. Richardson.

  • 3. Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity in the Chester, Crum, and Ridley Creeks. Brian Bayzick, Brian Cairy and Aaron Rospendowski.

  • 4. Plankton Biodiversity In and Around the Bald Cypress Pond: Taylor Arboretum. Alvin Chung and Ashima Jaiswal.

    • The Effect of Riparian Buffers on the Ecology of Ridley Creek in Southeastern PA. Hazel Lafleur-Vetter Julie Fekete

    ABSTRACT:
          Ridley Creek in southeastern PA was examined to determine the impact of riparian buffers on sedimentation, biodiversity of periphyton, dissolved oxygen, pH, nitrates, and phosphates at three sites: one with a forested buffer, one without a buffer, and one with a partial buffer. Forested riparian buffers consist of 15 - 25 meters of undisturbed forested vegetation adjacent to a water source. They are complex ecosystems crucial to the health of a stream. In the presence of riparian buffers, we hypothesized an increase in biodiversity of periphyton and dissolved oxygen, and a decrease in sedimentation and nutrient concentrations. Sediment was collected in trays placed in the creek, filtered, dried, and weighed. Sedimentation was highest (64.92gm) where the stream passed through a non- buffered golf course and lowest where the stream passed through a forested buffer in the State Park (10.85gm). Bricks, as artificial substrates, were placed in the creek to accommodate periphyton growth. Periphyton were categorized by morphotype. Biodiversity of periphyton was lowest at the golf course (exp H'=8.60) and highest where the stream passed through the partially buffered suburban residential area (exp H'=31.92). Dissolved oxygen was lowest at the suburban site and highest in the State Park. The pH, nitrate and phosphate levels were the same for all sites. Turbulent flow over the rocky stream bottom contributed to the high dissolved oxygen levels (8.4 to 10.2 mg/l). Since data was collected October 21, low levels of phosphates and nitrates may be a result of seasonal variation in lawn fertilization, and an unusually late wildlife migration. The lower diversity of periphyton at the golf course may be due to high amounts of pesticides, fertilizer, and sedimentation in the runoff. Examination of the high level of sediment may reveal an equally high level of chemical pollution. The few species that did proliferate might be especially adept at utilizing the nutrient in the runoff, out-competing other species, or perhaps few species can survive a sediment loaded environment. The difference in periphyton diversity among sites clearly shows how aquatic life downstream may recuperate rapidly once a buffer is restored. Further studies could include sampling the sediment for concentrations of chemicals, testing for fecal coliform bacteria and creating a design to estimate the absolute abundance as well as the diversity of organisms.

    Water Quality in the Chester, Ridley, and Crum Creeks. Mathew Ginalick, Richard A. Moss, and William J. Richardson

    ABSTRACT:
          A majority of Americans are not aware of the importance of clean water. Polluted water has many detrimental effects on the ecology of the surrounding ecosystem. There are many factors that affect the quality of water (e.g. septic tank leakage, road run off, fertilizers, and illegal dumping) and these factors tend to increase with increasing population density. The purpose of our experiment was to examine the changes in water quality along three local creeks (the Chester, Crum, and Ridley) as they flowed from upstrean sites in central and western Delaware County to their outflow to the Delaware River. We hypothesized that water quality would decrease as each creek flowed downstream.
          We tested fecal coliform, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, phosphate, nitrate, and alkalinity of the water at several sites along each creek. We also compared our data to long term trends from the 6-year data set collected by yhrt Crum-Rodley-Chester Volunteer Water Monitors Group. Contrary to our hypothesis, data indicate that fecal coliform and BOD generally did not differ among upstrean vs. downstream sites. All samples were relatively clear, and although coliform counts numbered in the thousands of colonies per liter, the levels were not above acceptable "safe" standards. Similarly, other measures of chemical water quality attest to the generally high quality of our surface water supply. However, we caution that this experiment would be greatly improved if it were performed over an extended period of time and if more extensive sampling were undertaken - especially including sampling for metals and organic toxins.

    Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity in the Chester, Crum, and Ridley Creeks. Brian Bayzick, Brian Cairy & Aaron Rospendowski

    ABSTRACT:
          This study focuses on the comparison between upstream and downstream biodiversity of macroinvertebrates in three local creeks, the Chester Creek, the Ridley Creek, and the Crum Creek. Our data collection consisted of choosing two sites on each creek, one upstream and downstream. The downstream site was closer to the Delaware River. Each site was similar in that water flowed steadily over a rocky bottom. Once the site was chosen, we used the kicknet sampling technique to collect the organisms. After collection, the organisms were identified and sorted. Organisms were then classified according to abundance and indication of polluted or clean water. Our hypothesis is that biodiversity will be greater upstream as opposed to downstream. We felt this would be due to the dense population and amount of industry close to the Delaware River. After analysis of the data, we found that our hypothesis was only supported in one of the three local creeks. We were unable to make any concrete statements about water quality as a result of biodiversity. Many factors could have influenced our study besides water quality. Anthropogenic factors, predation, or organism-environment interactions could all have had an influence on biodiversity in each of these three local creeks.

    Plankton Biodiversity In and Around the Bald Cypress Pond: Taylor Arboretum.
    Alvin Chung and Ashima Jaiswal

    ABSTRACT:
          The interest in biodiversity has skyrocketed primarily due to its rapid decline. Biodiversity plays a powerful role in ecosystems by indicating the condition of the environment. Many studies have been done relating biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. Since plankton are the foundation of aquatic food webs and sustain all higher organisms, plankton biodiversity levels in different yet related habitats were investigated. The Bald Cypress Pond as well as a point upstream and a point downstream of the pond at the Taylor Arboretum were chosen as our sampling sites. Methods included measuring speed and water temperature, making visual observations on each site, water testing for sulfide, hardness, silica, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, ammonia-nitrate, chlorides, phosphates, nitrates, pH, and dissolved oxygen, obtaining plankton net sweep samples, and placing glass slides under water. Water flow rate was fastest in downstream and slowest in pond. The pond was the largest in diameter and depth. The upstream and downstream had similar dimensions excluding the waterway length. The water chemistry tests displayed no essential differences among the three sites in sulfide, hardness, silica, alkalinity, and pH. The highest levels of carbon dioxide, ammonia-nitrate, phosphates, nitrates, and dissolved oxygen were found in the pond. However, the lowest level of chlorides was in the pond and highest in downstream. The upstream site had the lowest plankton biodiversity (exp H'=11.08) while the pond (exp H'=21.48) and downstream (exp H'=22.98) displayed similar biodiversity levels. From our findings, our hypothesis was mostly rejected. Lastly, we look towards the future which could consist of long term studies with additional sites along the upstream, downstream, and pond which may reveal cyclical changes or seasonal fluctuations in water conditions.

    Please Read This Comment.

    Copyright - Bruce W. Grant, 1998.