Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Program
Biology
Degree Name
Master of Science
Thesis Advisor
Dr. William Rogers
Committee Member
Dr. Janice Chism
Committee Member
Dr. Cynthia Tant
Keywords
Urban Stormwater Retention Pond, Reconciliation Ecology, Refuge Habitat, Biodiversity, Citizen Science, High School Involvement
Abstract
Biodiversity is in a crisis worldwide, driven by the negative effects from urbanization. Ecosystems are being destroyed in favor of urban areas and natural resources are diminishing. Stormwater management has gained an elevated importance and its associated infrastructure could help counter the loss of biodiversity. Freshwater within urban areas is critical for organisms. Anthropogenic ponds can act as refuge habitats within a blue network and have become a hotspot for ecological research. Using principles of reconciliation ecology, the effects on biodiversity were assessed following the conversion of a stormwater basin on an urban high school in Charlotte, NC. A before-and-after design determined the change in dragonfly abundance and bird species richness following the conversion of a detention basin into a retention pond. A unique component was the inclusion of 65 high school students as research assistants during fieldwork. Results showed a significant increase by both bioindicators near the pond after the conversion, with dragonfly counts increasing by over 350%. No overall increase was observed between samples, likely due to a short disturbance recovery time post-conversion. The attraction of both bioindicators to the pond lends support for it as a refuge habitat. Overall, the results showed that retrofitting a stormwater basin shifted the biodiversity towards the pond and should increase it over time. Transferable on a global scale, stormwater BMP modification, citizen science and student involvement can further the conservation of biodiversity within urban areas.
Recommended Citation
Davros, Nickolas John II, "Habitat Modification on an Urban High School Campus" (2020). Graduate Theses. 112.
https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/graduatetheses/112
Included in
Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
