Relation of Riparian Buffer Strips to In-Stream Habitat, Macroinvertebrates and Fish in a Small Iowa Stream

Authors

Jeremy P. Duehr, Iowa State UniversityFollow
Michael J. Siepker, Iowa State UniversityFollow
Clay L. Pierce, Iowa State UniversityFollow
Thomas M. Isenhart, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Fish, invertebrates, habitat, riparian buffer, stream

Abstract

Macroinvertebrate and fish habitat is often degraded as a result of agriculture. Riparian buffer strips are commonly used to counteract the negative effects of agriculture in headwater streams. We assessed the relation of multi-aged riparian buffer strips to in-stream habitat, macroinvertebrate and fish assemblages in an Iowa stream. In-stream habitat, macroinvertebrates, and fish were sampled from two buffered sites and two unbuffered sites, with the greatest substrate, water depth, and velocity heterogeneity occurring in buffered sites. The highest macroinvertebrate richness (11) as well as fish species richness (14), diversity (1.99) and IBI score (3 7) were found in the site buffered the longest. Habitat heterogeneity and fish community richness and diversity were greater in buffered sites than unbuffered sites making them possible indicators with which short-term stream recovery can be measured.

Publication Date

January-June 2006

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

113

Issue

1-2

First Page

49

Last Page

55

Copyright

© Copyright 2007 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Duehr, Jeremy P.; Siepker, Michael J.; Pierce, Clay L.; and Isenhart, Thomas M. (2006) "Relation of Riparian Buffer Strips to In-Stream Habitat, Macroinvertebrates and Fish in a Small Iowa Stream," Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS, 113(1-2), 49-55.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/jias/vol113/iss1/6