Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID GA_2024_Wenger

Evaluating longitudinal declines in water quality in the Conasauga River using aquatic macroinvertebrates: Year 2

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $20,995 Total Non-Federal Funds: $20,995

Principal Investigators: Seth Wenger

Project Summary: The Conasauga River in northwest Georgia is nationally recognized for the numerous animals that call the river home; however, many of these organisms face threats to their existence. Contaminants from agricultural activities may be a factor in reducing water quality and habitat quality for aquatic species in the river. We will determine if aquatic invertebrate diversity and amount differs along an agricultural intensity gradient to assess if invertebrate communities are impaired compared to similar regions. Changes in diversity versus changes in total abundance can provide insights into potential effects on fish, which rely on aquatic invertebrates for food. For instance, fish may not be affected by water quality impairment if the quantity of prey (invertebrates) does not change, even if the identity does. The proposed research should provide insights into the mechanisms of fish declines in a river of high conservation value.