Mentor/s
Dr. LaTina Steele
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems worldwide face significant challenges due to the introduction and spread of invasive plant species, which often outcompete native vegetation and disrupt ecological balance. Understanding the dynamics between native and invasive aquatic plants is crucial for effective ecosystem management and conservation efforts. Likewise, the impact of invasive plants can contribute to changes in aquatic invertebrate communities. After basic methods are applied, an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) compared invertebrate community abundance on native and invasive plants. Samples of native coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) and invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) were collected from Pickett’s Pond in Derby, Connecticut. Additionally, comparison between plant size in relation to invertebrate communities was evaluated as well. Preliminary analysis suggests that the number of invertebrates are similar to each other on both the native and invasive species, but species composition could vary between plant species. Further data analysis is currently underway. Results collected from this study allows for further understanding what actions need to be taken against invasive species in natural ponds.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-26-2024 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-26-2024 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Prize Categories
Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration, Most Scholarly Impact or Potential
Comparison of aquatic invertebrates communities Abundance on Connecticut’s Native coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) & Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
Aquatic ecosystems worldwide face significant challenges due to the introduction and spread of invasive plant species, which often outcompete native vegetation and disrupt ecological balance. Understanding the dynamics between native and invasive aquatic plants is crucial for effective ecosystem management and conservation efforts. Likewise, the impact of invasive plants can contribute to changes in aquatic invertebrate communities. After basic methods are applied, an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) compared invertebrate community abundance on native and invasive plants. Samples of native coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) and invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) were collected from Pickett’s Pond in Derby, Connecticut. Additionally, comparison between plant size in relation to invertebrate communities was evaluated as well. Preliminary analysis suggests that the number of invertebrates are similar to each other on both the native and invasive species, but species composition could vary between plant species. Further data analysis is currently underway. Results collected from this study allows for further understanding what actions need to be taken against invasive species in natural ponds.
Students' Information
Gianna LoBasso, Biology Major, Graduation Year 2024