Effects of anthropogenic structures and a wetland on macroinvertebrate diversity and water chemistry along the Maple River.

General EcologyAquatic systems play an integral role in wide ranging ecological contexts by providing an outlet of nutrient and chemical buildup. Rivers are particularly vulnerable to deleterious anthropogenic effects given their popularity as transit and recreation waterways. The health of a stream can accurately be assessed using an index of macroinvertebrate diversity as well as a battery of chemical concentration tests. Our study found that the Maple River shows few negative effects of anthropogenic structures on macroinvertebrate health and on overall stream health. The presence of a wetland may also have served to mitigate the possible human effects.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96208/1/Alanouf_Cote_Henke_Hsieh_2012.pd