Effects of stream velocity on diatom community structure

Undergraduate Research Exper.Effects on diatom community structure under high and low current velocities over a period of ten days were observed. Artificial stream channels were supplied with water directly from the East Branch of the Maple River. One current velocity was adjusted be ambient to a point chosen in the East Branch of the Maple River at 15cm/s and a current velocity was adjusted to be 3.75cm/s (¼ of the ambient). Significant changes (p=.027) were observed in the Shannon-Wiener diversity with respect to current velocity. No significant changes were observed in the Shannon Wiener diversity with respect to time. Significant changes (p=.007) in the relative abundance of the genus Synedra were observed with respect to current velocity. Significant changes (p=.011) were observed with respect to time in the relative abundance of the genera Navicula and Cymbella (grouped together due to taxonomical limitations).http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/57463/1/Davis_Gino_2007.pd