Habitat Modeling
We are measuring a number of habitat, water quality, and biotic variables
that describe stream ecosystem structure and function at each of our study
sites. This is a very intense effort; in 1999 our crews conducted
stream work nearly every day from April 12 to October 15. Below is a list
of the major types site scale field assessments we are undertaking.
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Benthic Macroinvertebrate abundance, standing stock, and community structure.
(Completed for all Minnesota sites during 1998, for all Michigan sites
in a previous study).
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Stream fish community structure. (Minnesota sites will be surveyed
during 1999, Michigan sites were surveyed in a previous study).
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Quantify and characterize woody debris accumulations. (A representative
subset of Minnesota watersheds were assessed in 1998, all Minnesota watersheds
will be assessed in 1999; all Michigan sites were assessed in a previous
study).
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Periphyton nutrient limitation experiments. (Conducted at all Minnesota
and Michigan sites during summer and fall of 1998, scheduled to be conducted
at all sites during spring, summer, and fall 1999).
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Nutrient concentrations and related water quality parameters. (Collected
during nutrient limitation experiments).
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Physical habitat (Minnesota sites in 1999, Michigan sites completed during
a previous study).