Abstract
Changes in stream hydrology and habitat—associated with urbanization—have impacted diversity, abundance, and movement of both macroinvertebrates and fish. In 2008 the University of Northwestern Ohio began developing the western half of the campus, incorporating stormwater management practices. This provided an opportunity to examine 3 sections of the Dug Run stream that flows through campus: 1 section on the western half of campus that filters stormwater through the soil, and 2 sections on the eastern half of campus which are affected by both urbanization and a culvert that extends under a building and a road. Significant differences in macroinvertebrate Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) index scores ( p < 0.001), fish diversity ( p < 0.010), and abundance of Orangethroat Darters (Etheostoma spectabile) ( p < 0.001) were observed between the western and the 2 eastern sections of Dug Run. Lower SQM index scores and lower Orangethroat Darter abundances were found in the urbanized sections of the stream, while lower fish diversity numbers were found upstream of the culvert. The western portion of campus, designed to filter stormwater runoff through the soil, was the only section studied with sensitive macroinvertebrates, a higher SQM index score, and a greater abundance of Orangethroat Darters.
Highlights
Dug Run, a tributary of the Ottawa River in Allen County in northwestern Ohio, flows east to west along the southern border of The University of Northwestern Ohio
There was a significant difference in macroinvertebrate Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) index scores between each of the 3 sections of the campus (Fig. 2)(H = 23.01; p < 0.001)
A significant decline in SQM index scores was observed over the course of the study on the west side of the campus (ρ = −0.44; p = 0.007), the recent increase in SQM index scores suggests this trend may not be linear (Fig. 3)
Summary
Dug Run, a tributary of the Ottawa River in Allen County in northwestern Ohio, flows east to west along the southern border of The University of Northwestern Ohio. The university has been building around Dug Run, but changes in stormwater management regulations—and a desire for more green space—has resulted in visual differences along the stream. Over 80% of the surface on the east end of the campus is impervious due to roads, parking lots, and buildings, with stormwater directed to the stream. The west end of campus, by contrast, was designed to carry stormwater into a series of retention basins.
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