Stoneflies (Insecta; Plecoptera) in small upland streams in the Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia:
Diversity and responses to forest harvest practises
Jeffrey B. Ogden, MSc candidateMount Allison University
Project Objectives
1. Baseline information:
Boreal highland stonefly biodiversity.
2. Relate to forest practice & stream characteristics.
Hypothes
• Expect new species records for Nova Scotia.
• Stream systems most recently affected by forestry will have the lowest diversity of stonefly species.
Cape Breton highlands
Cape Breton highlands
• upland boreal forest region
• climax balsam fir forest
• harsh climate
Forestry and the highlands
• Pre 1900s
• 1920s - pulp and paper• 1970s – spruce
budworm infestation
• Present activity
Previous studies in highlands
• Limited …due to accessibility
• Primarily in lower elevations
• 1st aquatic study in boreal region
Physical Habitat Characterization
Stonefly sampling
• Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach
• Emergence traps
• Benthic sampling
• Spring, summer
and fall
Stonefly sampling
• Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach
• Emergence traps
• Benthic sampling
• Spring, summer
and fall
Stonefly sampling
• Sampling was conducted along a 15-20 m study reach
• Emergence traps
• Benthic sampling
• Light traps
• Foliage sweeps
Statistical analysis
• Only the benthic data used for analysis of forestry patterns
• ANOVA after transforming as necessary
• Exploratory multivariate statistics
- cluster analysis and PCA
• No pattern with measured variables
Results
• Physical characteristics of the streams
Results
• Stonefly diversity:
3300 stoneflies collected
2750 nymphs and 550 adults
31 stonefly species from eight families
8 new records for NS
Stonefly diversity in the boreal streams
• Low stonefly diversity is natural in small cold-water springs
• Shredder dominated
Winter stoneflies
Conclusions
• Impact of forestry activities on stoneflies?
• No significant differences
• Stonefly abundance
• Buffers
Conclusions
•Stonefly diversity naturally low
•Forestry impact “buffered”
•More fun work to be done
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• Mount Allison University
• University of Prince Edward Island
• NSERC /NSDNR
• Stora Enso/NewPage
• My supervisors and committee members Dr. Ron Aiken (MTA), Dr. Dave McCorquodale (CBU), and Barry Taylor (StFX) my external examiner
QUESTIONS??
0 200 400 600 800 1000
Linkage D istance
Leuctra
Amphinemura
A llocapnia
Sweltsa
Isoperla
Taeniopteryx
Pteronarcys
Agentina
Paragnetina
M alirekus
Isogenoides
Z apada
Nemoura
50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Linkage D istance
R3
L2
M 1
L1
L3
M 3
M 4
M 2
L3
R2
R4
R1