Presenter: Jillian Finn Bakey

Faculty Sponsor: Allison Roy

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Environmental Science and Sustainability

Session: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, Auditorium, A44

ABSTRACT

Climate change is leading to warmer streams and more variable and intense storm events in the northeastern United States. Fishes, salamanders, and aquatic invertebrates that require coldwater streams can be vulnerable to changes from altered climates. Cold groundwater can provide organisms with shelter from warming temperatures, particularly in coldwater patches formed by groundwater seeps. These coldwater patches vary in size; however, little is known about how environmental conditions affect coldwater patch size, as we cannot isolate or control for these variables in the field. We conducted a laboratory study to test the independent effects of flow, depth, and stream temperature on coldwater patch size. Patch size will be measured three-dimensionally using a thermocouple profile probe. Results from this study will inform managers on how different environmental conditions impact coldwater refuges, and can be used to inform future conservation actions, such as large wood additions, to maintain coldwater patches under changing climates.