Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Gilchrist, Sandra
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
Storm drain ecosystems are under-studied sources of biodiversity in the urban environment. As sea levels rise, saltwater is predicted to infiltrate the stormwater removal pipelines, which will have unknown effects on the ecology of the drains. Using artificial substrate as a collection method, benthic macroinvertebrates from over ten different phylogenetic orders were found to inhabit storm drain inlets at New College of Florida. Although detailed speciation was not performed in this preliminary assessment, it seems that the macroinvertebrates found in the inlets were primarily freshwater organisms. Nevertheless, as we’ve seen with red tide and the Deepwater Horizon events, having a baseline collection before disruption is critical. The effects of sea level rise on storm drain ecosystems are examined in the context of these data.
Recommended Citation
Shafer, Natali, "A Preliminary Survey of Macroinvertebrates Inhabiting Southwest Florida Storm Drain Inlets" (2020). Theses & ETDs. 5997.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5997