Fish and macroinvertebrate species diversity in restored and unrestored forks of Massies Creek, Ohio

Background/Question/Methods

In 2006 Greene County, Ohio the Greene County Sanitary Engineering Department in conjunction with the Greene Soil and Water Conservation District, and Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. implemented a $1.7 million stream restoration project along a 2.2 mile section of the North Fork of Massie Creek and the Little Miami River. Prior to restoration the stream exhibited high water velocities, extreme channelization, and a high rate of bank erosion. The goal of this project was to restore the stream to a more natural condition and improve water quality for downstream cities with the specific intent of reducing phosphorus inputs from fertilizer applications.  This study, initiated by Cedarville University undergraduates had two objectives: (1) to establish a baseline with which to monitor future changes in the biotic community and (2) to quantify the effect of the restoration on fish and macroinvertebrate populations by comparing the restored North Fork with the un-restored South Fork of Massie Creek. 

Results/Conclusions

Our data revealed a significantly (p < 0.05) greater abundance of fish in the unrestored South Fork.  Shannnon (S) and Simpson (D) indices revealed that fish diversity was poor in both Forks.  The Shannon index values indicate low diversity level at the unrestored South Fork (S = 0.35) as compared to restored North Fork (S = 1.05).  The greater abundance and lower diversity were the result of a large population of largemouth bass in the unrestored South Fork.  This observation was further supported with the Simpson’s Index reflecting dominance where the restored North Fork site values were lower (D = 0.43) than the unrestored South Fork (D = 0.85).  Macroinvertebrate diversity was found to be similar between the unrestored South Fork (S = 1.99, D = 0.17) and restored North Fork (S = 2.05, D = 0.17).   Taken together these data suggest that the stream restoration that was completed in early 2010 has yet to significantly improve the biodiversity of the stream.  This work will therefore serve as a baseline with which to continue monitoring these streams for changes in the future.