Title: Biodiversity in a Stream’s Riffle, Run, and Pool

Author:
Gabby Greaney
Honors Science Research 1
Mod 3
March 9, 2018
Abstract:
In this investigation we were to go down to our school’s stream and find what
macroinvertebrates we could find in each part (riffle, run, pool). We collected these organisms
by kicking up the dirt so it would flow into the net that was downstream. As we found them we
were to record our data. We found that the pool was the most species rich and the Mayfly was
the most abundant organism. Dissolved oxygen levels were all very similar in the 3 different
pars. This would have been more accurate had the weather been more constant for at least a
week.
Introduction:
The objective of this lab was to determine what parts of the streams were most species rich;

the run, the riffle, or the pool. Species richness means the number of species in one given are.

We were finding macroinvertebrates to determine if our stream was good water quality. All of

the organisms proved our stream was healthy. Biodiversity is extremely important in every

ecosystem. It gives every living organism no matter the size, a role or a niche. Our stream is full

of diversity, which is a really good sign of a healthy ecosystem. Going down to the stream I

knew that if we found a fair amount of “good macroinvertebrates” then we would have a

healthy stream ecosystem. If we don’t find much of a difference in the dissolved oxygen for

each part of the steam then it’s because of the temperature of the stream and weather.

Materials/Method:

For this experiment you will need several people, a net, a container (to hold the

macroinvertebrates), a dissolved oxygen kit, a macroinvertebrate reference sheet, a data table,

and access to a stream.

Procedure:

1. Get someone to hold the net to the ground so they are facing upstream.

2. Have another person kick up the bottom so everything will flow downstream into the

net.

3. After a few kicks and there is stuff in the net, pick it up.

4. Look through the net for any macroinvertebrates.

5. If you don’t know what you’re looking at look the reference sheet to identify it.
 6. Once you have identified the organisms you have found record them on your data table.

7. Now move to a new part of the stream.

8. You will need to find organisms from the run, the riffle, and the pool.

Data Tables and Graphs:

Both Classes Data:

Location Dissolved Oxygen Mayfly Stonefly Caddisfly Helgrammite Alderfly Cranefly Dragonfly Riffle Beetle Species Richness
Riffle 8.2 13 2 2 0 0 6 3 0 5
Run 8.2 5 3 5 1 0 0 2 2 6
Pool 8.3 3 0 2 2 1 2 6 3 8

Both Classes Data of Macroinvertebrates Found in Riffle, Run,

and Pool
14

12

10

Riffle Run Pool

 Data for Run:

Number
Species Found Pi Piln[Pi]
Mayfly 5 0.278 -0.356
Stonefly 3 0.166 -0.298
Caddisfly 5 0.278 -0.356
Helgrammite 1 0.056 -0.161
Dragonfly 2 0.111 -0.244
Riffle Beetle 2 0.111 -0.244
Totals 18 1 -1.659

Data for Run

20

15

10

-5

Number Found Pi Piln[Pi]

Data for Riffle:

Number
Species Found Pi Piln[Pi]
Mayfly 13 0.5 -0.347
Stonefly 2 0.077 -0.197
Caddisfly 2 0.077 -0.197
Cranefly 6 0.23 -0.338
Dragonfly 3 0.115 -0.249
Totals 26 0.999 -1.328
 Data for Riffle
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Mayfly Stonefly Caddisfly Cranefly Dragonfly Totals
-5

Number Found Pi Piln[Pi]

Data for Pool:

Number
Species Found Pi Piln[Pi]
Mayfly 3 0.158 -0.292
Caddisfly 2 0.105 -0.237
Helgrammite 2 0.105 -0.237
Cranefly 2 0.105 -0.237
Alderfly 1 0.053 -0.156
Cranefly 6 0.105 -0.546
Dragonfly 3 0.316 -0.292
Riffle Beetle 3 0.158 -0.292
Totals 22 1.105 -2.289

Data for Pool

25
20
15
10
5
0
-5

Number Found Pi Piln[Pi]

Results:

These results support my idea of being very species rich in all parts of our stream. The pool was

the most species rich with a richness of 8 species, then the run which had 6 species and then

the riffle which had 5. Surprisingly enough the riffle was he least species rich but had the most

organisms present (26), then came the pool which had 22, then the run which had 18.

Calculations:

Run Calculations-

Species Richness: 6

Simpson Index: 0.209

Simpson of Diversity: 1-0.209= 0.791

Simpson Reciprocal Index: 1/0.209= 4.785

Evenness: 1.659/log(6)= 2.133

Riffle Calculations-

Species Richness: 5

Simpson Index: 0.328

Simson Index of Diversity: 1-0.328= 0.672

Simpson Reciprocal Index: 1/0.328= 3.049

Evenness: 1.328/log(5)= 1.899

Pool Calculations-

Species Richness: 7

Simpson Index: 0.183

Simpson Index of Diversity: 1-0.183= 0.817

Simpson Reciprocal Index: 1/0.183= 5.464

Evenness: 1.815/log(7)= 2.148

Discussion:

My hypothesis was supported because our dissolves oxygen were very similar. If we had had

constant warm weather then the dissolved oxygen for the pool would be higher than the riffle

and the run because that water is not moving. But since the temperature of the air had been

cold then there wasn’t much of a difference in the dissolved oxygen levels. The organism that is

most abundant is the Mayfly. Between both classes collecting data we found 21 of them total.

There could have been many sources of error. The biggest would be if we had misidentified one

of the organisms. Another could be if we couldn’t identify which parts of the stream were

which. If I were to do this again in the future I think it should be over a span of several days so

we have data for every day. Also those days should be a constant temperature of 60-70 degrees

so we get accurate dissolved oxygen data.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, we are very species rich in all parts of our stream. The pool was the most species

rich with a richness of 8 species, then the run which had 6 species and then the riffle which had
5. Surprisingly enough the riffle was he least species rich but had the most organisms present

(26), then came the pool which had 22, then the run which had 18. The most abundant

organism was the Mayfly which was found 21 times by 2 classes. As I mentioned I would like to

do this again with more days and better weather sine it was on 70 degrees for 2 days rather

than 7.

References:

Why Is Biodiversity Important? Who Cares?” - Global Issues,

www.globalissues.org/article/170/why-is-biodiversity-important-who-cares.