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| Submitter's Name |
Joshua Epstein |
| Session Name |
Poster Session - Wetlands |
| Poster Number |
53 |
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| Author(s) |
Joshua Epstein, University of Florida, School of Forest Resources and Conservation (Presenting Author) |
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Alexa Mainella,
University of Florida, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment |
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Kaitlyn Mroczka, University of Florida, Soil and Water Sciences Department |
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Kelly Reiss, University of Florida, Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands |
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Drivers of Community Composition and Water Quality in North Central Florida Freshwater Wetlands |
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Wetlands are ecosystems of high productivity and biodiversity that are threatened worldwide due to changes in land use and decreased water quality associated with anthropogenic influence. In Florida, a state having an abundance of wetlands, human development continues to exacerbate wetland losses and degradation. Understanding the factors driving differences in community composition and water quality in reference wetlands will provide baseline knowledge with which to assess the impacts associated with these threats. Fifteen freshwater wetlands (seven herbaceous and eight forested) in north central Florida were chosen with the intent to capture the reference standard wetland condition. Wetland vegetative communities could not cross hydrogeomorphic boundaries, and selected sites were sampled in summer 2016 or 2017. At each wetland sampling point, one 50m transect was laid out in each cardinal direction. Vegetation presence and frequency of occurrence identified to species were collected in 1m by 5m oblong quadrats sequentially placed along each transect. Macroinvertebrates were collected using standardized dip netting methods in which 20 sweeps were divided evenly amongst wetland habitats. Specimens were preserved on site in jars of formalin for later identification in the lab. Water quality (pH, specific conductance, temperature, and dissolved oxygen) was measured using a YSI probe, and water samples were collected to assess levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, turbidity, and chlorophyll in the lab. Landscape variables, such as land use, distance to nearest road, and distance to nearest waterbody, were measured in ArcGIS. To determine the landscape variables driving community dissimilarity and differences in water quality, we will use non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS). We hypothesize that (1) the suite of variables driving water quality and community composition will be similar within herbaceous and forested wetlands, and (2) sites that are more geographically isolated from development/agriculture will host a higher diversity of biological communities and have better water quality. |
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