2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/20/2019 | 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | DIDYMOSPHENIA GEMINATA DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN WATERSHEDS | 150 DEF
DIDYMOSPHENIA GEMINATA DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN WATERSHEDS
Tailwaters of hypolimnetic release dams in the southeastern U.S. are often cooler and have less nutrients than unregulated streams in the region. These environmental characteristics can support Didymosphenia geminata mats that cover substrata, alter benthic food webs, and may degrade fish habitat. Didymosphenia geminata’s distribution in the Southeast has not been extensively delineated as reports often only come when mats have developed. Recent studies suggest multiple environmental variables may be facilitating its presence in the Southern Appalachians. A survey was conducted to determine D. geminata presence in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina rivers during the summer of 2018. Random Forest analysis was used to relate water chemistry and habitat characteristics to D. geminata distribution. Temperature, conductivity, sulfate, calcium, and chloride had the strongest relationship with cell presence. While previous studies have identified low phosphorus as the primary driver of cell state, factors associated with the underlying geology of Appalachian watersheds appear to have a stronger effect on cell colonization than phosphorus. Further delineating the environmental parameters necessary for cell colonization will improve efforts by natural resource agencies to identify streams susceptible to cell colonization and nuisance mats.
- Distribution
- Dams
- Water Quality
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Presenters/Authors
Spencer Womble
(), Tennessee Tech University, sgwomble42@tntech.edu;
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Justin Murdock
(), Tennessee Tech University, jnmurdock@tntech.edu;
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