Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2009KY130B

Evaluating the impact of hemlock woolly adelgid invasion on headwater streams

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2009 Start Date: 2009-03-01 End Date: 2010-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,000

Principal Investigators: Lynne Rieske-Kinney

Project Summary: The study is geared to evaluate the effects of hemlock wooly adegid (HWA) on headwater stream quality. We will evaluate the extent to which HWA invasion affects (1) stream and riparian macroinvertebrate community dynamics, (2) stream chemistry (focusing on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus), and (3) physical stream characteristics, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and turbidity. By comparing these parameters in streams with hemlock dominated riparian vegetation and streams with deciduous dominated vegetation, our study will provide insight into the direct and indirect consequences of riparian eastern hemlock loss due to HWA. We will also contribute to the knowledge base necessary for preservation of this threatened ecosystem by generating baseline information for preservation of sensitive aquatic species such as the federally listed blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis), duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum), Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), and others.