Drought Effects on Consumer-mediated Ecosystem Processes Using Experimental Ponds
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Checo Colon-Guad
Faculty Mentor Email
jccolongaud@georgiasouthern.edu
Presentation Type and Release Option
Research Poster Presentation (File Not Available for Download)
Location
COUR Symposium 2021
Presentation Year
2021
Start Date
4-19-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
April 2021
Abstract
Leaf packs were deployed into experimental ponds at the Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery in Jenkins County, GA to assess the effects of climate change on decomposition rates and macroinvertebrate communities. These ponds were intended to simulate predicted climate changes scenarios (e.g., extended drought periods). Leaf packs were deployed in temporarily flooded (~60 days) and permanently flooded (~3 years) ponds then collected in ~30, 60, 90-day intervals. We predicted that permanently flooded ponds would provide a stable and favorable environment that supports a more diverse macroinvertebrate community and faster decomposition rates that temporarily flooded wetlands. We found that permanently flooded ponds had higher leaf decomposition rates (k= -0.0085) than temporarily flooded ponds (k= -0.0062). Macroinvertebrate communities showed differences in abundance, biomass, and overall structure with temporary ponds initially lagging behind permanently flooded ponds. Our study shows the responses of consumer communities and associated ecosystem services to predicted climate change scenarios.
Academic Unit
Department of Biology
Drought Effects on Consumer-mediated Ecosystem Processes Using Experimental Ponds
COUR Symposium 2021
Leaf packs were deployed into experimental ponds at the Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery in Jenkins County, GA to assess the effects of climate change on decomposition rates and macroinvertebrate communities. These ponds were intended to simulate predicted climate changes scenarios (e.g., extended drought periods). Leaf packs were deployed in temporarily flooded (~60 days) and permanently flooded (~3 years) ponds then collected in ~30, 60, 90-day intervals. We predicted that permanently flooded ponds would provide a stable and favorable environment that supports a more diverse macroinvertebrate community and faster decomposition rates that temporarily flooded wetlands. We found that permanently flooded ponds had higher leaf decomposition rates (k= -0.0085) than temporarily flooded ponds (k= -0.0062). Macroinvertebrate communities showed differences in abundance, biomass, and overall structure with temporary ponds initially lagging behind permanently flooded ponds. Our study shows the responses of consumer communities and associated ecosystem services to predicted climate change scenarios.
