2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/26/2021 | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM | INTER-SITE VARIATION IN MACROINVERTEBRATE DIVERSITY IN LAKE AUSTIN AND LADY BIRD LAKE: UPSTREAM VS DOWNSTREAM | Virtual Platform
INTER-SITE VARIATION IN MACROINVERTEBRATE DIVERSITY IN LAKE AUSTIN AND LADY BIRD LAKE: UPSTREAM VS DOWNSTREAM
Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin are adjacent reservoirs in Austin, Texas with the primary functions of electrical power generation, flood control, and recreation. In 1999, the invasive submerged aquatic macrophyte (SAV), Hydrilla verticillata was observed in Lake Austin (upstream) where it established over the span of the lake, though never establishing in Lady Bird Lake (downstream). Management strategies to eradicate Hydrilla, involving the stocking of sterile Asian grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, nearly eliminated hydrilla from Lake Austin, but also resulting in overgrazing of native SAV, giving rise to other nuisance species such as zebra mussels and harmful algae. SAV, in addition to facilitating nutrient uptake and retention, enhancing water clarity, stabilizing substrate, and attenuating wave energy, provides food and refugia for aquatic fauna. My research aims to understand the biological implications from the presence and absence of SAV in the two reservoirs by seasonally analyzing the macroinvertebrate community within different habitat regimes. Preliminary results indicate macroinvertebrate taxa diversity changes between sites and habitat regimes from upstream to downstream. This study shows the importance of SAV and will contribute to further management decisions in the City of Austin.
- Biological interactions
- Ecosystem functioning
- Ecohydrology
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Katie Vasquez
(), University of North Texas, katievasquez@my.unt.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
James Kennedy
(), University of North Texas, james.kennedy@unt.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Brent Bellinger
(), Brent Bellinger, Ph.D., brent.bellinger@austintexas.gov;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Aaron Schad
(), Aaron Schad , aaron.n.schad@usace.army.mil;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -