A Wetland Water Quality and Biodiversity Profile of Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area (GPFWA)
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Author
Hedrick, Tavia
Date
2022
Degree
Abstract
The aim of this study is (1) to compare water quality index (WQI),
sensitive species bioassessment index (Bl), and macroinvertebrate biodiversity
(H) values between lentic and lotic wetland habitats at Goose Pond Fish and
Wildlife Area and (2) to see if WQI can predict H. Data from this comparison
will also serve as an important baseline for quality monitoring and land
management going forward, since no water quality or macroinvertebrate
biodiversity data currently exists at GPFWA. The water quality index parameters
that were measured included: dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, nitrates,
biological oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and turbidity.
Statistical analysis of the data revealed that there is no significant difference in
water quality or biodiversity between any of the sites, whether lentic or lotic.
However, the linear regression showed that there was a statistically significant
linear relationship between water quality and biodiversity. With a much larger
data set, and possible inclusion of other variables, it might be possible to create
a better model whereby land managers can predict the biodiversity of a wetland
based on its WQI scores.