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Event Type
Research Presentation
Academic Department
Biology, Environmental Studies
Start Date
5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
At Hollins University, a stream runs down the length of the college, coming from Carvins Cove. The researchers wanted to look at the overall abundance of species in the creek, if some locations of the creek had more fish presence than another, and if there was a possibility for species counts via camera to be just as effective as electrofishing. It is important to know species abundance in a creek, as this is typically depicting environmental quality. The creek on campus was surveyed via electrofishing in 2019 and the species found were recorded. In this study, two locations in the creek were surveyed, one above a stream riffle, and one below a stream riffle. Site A was in after a riffle and site B was in a pool with no water flow. These sites were surveyed using an underwater camera, attached to a stand, and recorded four separate days in the morning and evening at each spot. Historically, in monitoring fish abundance, electrofishing was considered the most effective and least-biased method, but sometimes electrofishing results in the demise of smaller fish species. This group wanted to explore if a less intrusive method, using the underwater camera, would be an effective alternative. When comparing our results to electrofishing that was done in Carvins Creek in 2019, three additional species were recorded. Overall, cite A recorded more fish activity in the morning, and site B recorded more fish activity in the afternoon. Additionally, site B had more total activity than site A.
Cross-Analysis of Difference in Location, Time of Day, and Capture Method for Fish Diversity and Presence in Carvins Creek
At Hollins University, a stream runs down the length of the college, coming from Carvins Cove. The researchers wanted to look at the overall abundance of species in the creek, if some locations of the creek had more fish presence than another, and if there was a possibility for species counts via camera to be just as effective as electrofishing. It is important to know species abundance in a creek, as this is typically depicting environmental quality. The creek on campus was surveyed via electrofishing in 2019 and the species found were recorded. In this study, two locations in the creek were surveyed, one above a stream riffle, and one below a stream riffle. Site A was in after a riffle and site B was in a pool with no water flow. These sites were surveyed using an underwater camera, attached to a stand, and recorded four separate days in the morning and evening at each spot. Historically, in monitoring fish abundance, electrofishing was considered the most effective and least-biased method, but sometimes electrofishing results in the demise of smaller fish species. This group wanted to explore if a less intrusive method, using the underwater camera, would be an effective alternative. When comparing our results to electrofishing that was done in Carvins Creek in 2019, three additional species were recorded. Overall, cite A recorded more fish activity in the morning, and site B recorded more fish activity in the afternoon. Additionally, site B had more total activity than site A.