Comparison of ecological structure of two second order streams [abstract]

Abstract

Similarly to other towns, Columbia, Missouri is experiencing growth through the development of its outlying land. The future development of 500 acres of land that span two second order stream's watersheds produces the possibility of significantly altering the ecological structure of these streams. In order to show this change, benthic macroinvertebrates were collected. Both Clear Creek and Gans Creek have similar topography and stream bed composition, allowing for straightforward comparison. Four sample sites on each stream were chosen and samples from each stream taken in November, January, and March of 2004-2005. This presentation attempts to compare the biological health of these streams using the benthic macroinvertebrate ecological structure found through the sampling.