Comparing water quality and macroinvertebrates of Maple Bay, North Fishtail Bay, and South Fishtail Bay in Douglas Lake

Abstract

With the development of residential areas along lake shorelines in recent decades, there is an increased potential for alterations of natural aquatic systems. These alterations, whether positive or negative, may impact the abundance and diversity of aquatic life in lake ecosystems. To test if lakeside communities have an effect on the macroinvertebrate diversity and water quality, we sampled and tested three bays in Douglas Lake: Maple Bay, North Fishtail Bay and South Fishtail Bay; each with varying human interaction. Our water samples, taken at 1-1.2 meters deep in the lakes’ water column, were tested for nitrogen, phosphorus and chloride levels, as well as properties including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and turbidity. We also tested the diversity and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates across sampled locations. We hypothesized that lakeside communities would have a negative effect on both water quality and macroinvertebrate species diversity. Therefore, we expected to see the highest species diversity and water quality in North Fishtail Bay and the lowest in Maple Bay. From our research we found that both human interactions and abiotic environmental conditions play an important role in macroinvertebrate diversity. We interpreted that lakeside communities with more human activity have higher nutrients through runoff which has led to more vegetation in the areas and promotion of macroinvertebrate life. Our study highlights the importance of maintaining the structure and diversity of natural aquatic systems while extracting the freshwater resources needed.