Understanding Connections between Discharge, Chemistry, and Ecology in First Order Piedmont Streams
This project examines the impact of water chemistry and quantity on aquatic ecosystems in first order streams of the Rocky River and McDowell watersheds by comparing stream properties with salamander and macroinvertebrate communities.
Counties Impacted:
- Mecklenberg
Data from the project have been integrated directly into a number of courses here at Davidson College. We have presented the data when talking about stream behavior and flashiness in Environmental Science. Students have had the opportunity to work directly with the data in "Surface Geology and Landforms" and "Data Visualization." Five students have chosen to do their senior theses related to the project and we expect a number of journal articles to come out of the project. Lastly, we have done outreach into the community to share our findings with children in the community.
- Patricia Hoke, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
