Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Graduate
Recommended Citation
Brookshire, Brittany, "Comparison of Odonata Populations in Natural and Constructed Emergent Wetlands in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky" (2014). University Presentation Showcase Event. 21.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2014/2014/21
Abstract
BIOLOGY OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD WINNER!
Wetlands provide valuable hydrological functions and provide valuable niches for many small species of animals, including dragonflies (Biebighauser 2011). Without wetlands serving as reproductive habitat the dragonfly population would decrease exponentially. Research has shown that in the past forty years Kentucky has lost up to 80% of its own natural wetlands (Brown & Richter 2012).
Wetlands provide: §Niches for small mammals, insects, amphibians and birds §Hydrology and flood prevention for surrounding areas §Habitat and resting areas for Migratory Waterfowl.
Odonates could be important to discovering many of the variations between natural and artificial wetlands. Dragonflies and Damselflies are sensitive to environmental conditions, therefore they can act as biological indicators.
OBJECTIVES- My objective in this research is to measure the Odonata populations at various natural and artificial emergent wetlands and to compare these populations to biotic and abiotic variables such as hydrology, vegetation types and wetland condition. I believe that if the wetlands being studied prove to be healthy then the dragonfly and damselfly populations at the individual wetlands will be high in species richness and diversity, while the wetlands that are less healthy will have a low species richness and diversity
Presentation format
Poster
Expected Graduation Date
2014
Comparison of Odonata Populations in Natural and Constructed Emergent Wetlands in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky
BIOLOGY OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AWARD WINNER!
Wetlands provide valuable hydrological functions and provide valuable niches for many small species of animals, including dragonflies (Biebighauser 2011). Without wetlands serving as reproductive habitat the dragonfly population would decrease exponentially. Research has shown that in the past forty years Kentucky has lost up to 80% of its own natural wetlands (Brown & Richter 2012).
Wetlands provide: §Niches for small mammals, insects, amphibians and birds §Hydrology and flood prevention for surrounding areas §Habitat and resting areas for Migratory Waterfowl.
Odonates could be important to discovering many of the variations between natural and artificial wetlands. Dragonflies and Damselflies are sensitive to environmental conditions, therefore they can act as biological indicators.
OBJECTIVES- My objective in this research is to measure the Odonata populations at various natural and artificial emergent wetlands and to compare these populations to biotic and abiotic variables such as hydrology, vegetation types and wetland condition. I believe that if the wetlands being studied prove to be healthy then the dragonfly and damselfly populations at the individual wetlands will be high in species richness and diversity, while the wetlands that are less healthy will have a low species richness and diversity
