A SURVEY OF LENTIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA

Authors

Nadya S. Gutierrez, Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow
Kristine N. White Ph.D., Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow

Abstract

Macroinvertebrates are ecologically important organisms which form the foundation of aquatic food webs. Documenting the macroinvertebrates of lentic systems will increase our understanding of the complexity of these habitats and potentially provide insight into trophic-level interactions. Seasonal samples of aquatic macroinvertebrates from two lakes in Milledgeville, Georgia were collected in order to determine aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance. It is hypothesized that the catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) will be highest in summer and lowest in winter, without a significant change in diversity, due to reduced activity in cooler months. Metamorphism of insects will likely influence abundance with several species being collected from sediment casings in pupa and larval stages. Overall, this study increases our understanding of species diversity and will allow future study into trophic level interactions in a system that has not previously undergone an in-depth survey of macroinvertebrates.

Acknowledgements

GCSU Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Recommended Citation

Gutierrez, Nadya S. and White, Kristine N. Ph.D. (2022) "A SURVEY OF LENTIC MACROINVERTEBRATES IN MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 80, No. 1, Article 69.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol80/iss1/69