"The work that the students at Eastern Nazarene did provides us with valuable data that will guide management of the sanctuary. Their help was invaluable for a site with a small staff and limited resources with which to undertake such a study". Pam Musk, Sanctuary Director
In Spring 2006, ENC forged a new partnership with a local conservation organization that will give biology and chemistry students practical, hands-on experience in evaluating ecological conditions while providing a service that will help the organization monitor long-term trends in its pond ecosystems. Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, an environmental education facility of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, requested that students in the Field Problems in Ecology and Advanced Chemistry Lab classes assess the current condition of Stony Brook and Bristols ponds as a baseline for annual monitoring.
The assessment included collection of samples for water chemistry analysis, which included pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, nitrate and phosphate. Samples were collected by the ecology students, with the Advanced Chemistry Lab students providing the chemical analysis, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Wooster in the Chemistry Department.
The ecology students also collected macroinvertebrate samples, identifying each species to the order or family level. The students used lake bioassessment criteria proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the health of each pond. Sanctuary Director, Pam Musk, took time out of her busy schedule to help the students identify the macroinvertebrates.
The students presented a 13-page report to Pam, complete with maps of the sampling sites, the results of chemical and biological analyses, and a discussion of the results. The chemical analyses revealed that the phosphate and nitrate levels exceeded the recommended criteria for these compounds, indicating that the ponds are eutrophic and contain excessive nutrients. These nutrients are most likely present due to the breakdown of decaying organic matter on the bottoms of the ponds. The sources of the organic matter include leaf litter from the trees surrounding the ponds, as well as the many emergent and submergent plants living in the pond.
Many different types of macroinvertebrates were identified in both ponds, including dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, mayfly nymphs, midge larvae, amphipods, isopods, and snails. The bioassessment criteria indicated that the ponds have a fairly high degree of species richness and diversity, and do not as yet appear to be adversely affected by the eutrophic conditions. However, it will be important to continue monitoring these macroinvertebrate populations to establish any trends that might indicate worsening conditions.
We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary to help them monitor the health of their ponds into the future. We especially want to thank Pam Musk for her assistance with this project, and for her willingness to let our students serve their organization.
If you would like to see some of the species collected by the students, click here to link to the Macroinvertebrate Picture Key [currently under construction].
Stony Brook Pond
Bristols Pond
Students sorting macroinvertebrates
Chemistry students working with Dr. Wooster on chemical analysis of pond water samples.
Sanctuary Director, Pam Musk, identifies a macroinvertebrate at ENC's ecology lab.
Students sorting macroinvertebrates
Chemistry students working with Dr. Wooster on chemical analysis of pond water samples.
Sanctuary Director, Pam Musk, identifies a macroinvertebrate at ENC's ecology lab.
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