Aquatic invertebrate monitoring at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 2009-2015

Bowles, David; Cribbs, J.; Hinsey, Janice

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (TAPR) is the first National Park Service area established specifically for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network began monitoring water quality and invertebrate community structure of two streams (Palmer Creek and Fox Creek) within TAPR’s boundary during September 2009, and have since monitored those streams in May 2013 and April 2015. We collected 9 benthic samples from each stream using a Surber stream bottom sampler. Habitat data were collected from the sampling net frame. Water quality data also were collected in association with the invertebrate samples. Water quality met the Kansas aquatic life criteria for prairie streams, while the aquatic invertebrate data provided mixed results. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment lists both Fox and Palmer creeks on their 303(d) list for impaired streams due to unidentified stressors. Observed variation in the benthic communities is likely due to seasonal and ambient environmental differences and is not cause for concern at this point. Fox Creek and Palmer Creek had similar scores for invertebrate community indices, and several intolerant taxa were represented in samples from both creeks. The invertebrate metrics presented in this report are similar to those observed for other regional streams that are undisturbed or only mildly disturbed. These preliminary data offer mixed results and are currently insufficient to fully characterize the integrity of Fox and Palmer creeks using established criteria.

Aquatic invertebrate monitoring at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 2009-2015

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