How Excessive Land Use Can Alter Aquatic Habitats 

Presenter: Nathan Paul Szukala

Faculty Sponsor: Heather Ruel

School: Holyoke Community College

Research Area: Environmental Science and Sustainability

Session: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, Auditorium, A51

ABSTRACT

In Environmental Science, water, air, and soil are all connected in the biosphere we call Planet Earth. The increasing human population in towns and cities can have a negative effect on the natural functions of aquatic ecosystems. Residential, commercial, agricultural, and recreational use of the surrounding land can alter water health. This can cause negative outcomes for biotic creatures that live in the ecosystem or use the watershed for survival. Techniques in aquatic ecology are constantly being developed to improve the monitoring of the health of streams and lakes within a watershed. Without monitoring the local habitats, harmful introductions can hinder the natural existence of a healthy environment. With information from GIS and personal site assessments, there are many sources of data to document the effect that local communities can have on the environment. A slight increase in nitrogen can alter the chemical balance of a waterway and even small changes like dumping lawn clippings too close to an aquatic environment can cause eutrophication to occur. Eutrophication can allow algae blooms to flourish by covering the top layer of the water and blocking sunlight, creating numerous environmental concerns. Aquatic monitoring is an important component of environmental education, compliance, and enforcement. Humans can create many negative outcomes within natural aquatic environments, and there should be accountability through restoration and remediation. Environmental Scientists can monitor and limit environmental degradation through quantitative measuring and accurate data collection for the benefit of people and the planet. 

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