THE EFFECTS OF ADJACENT HABITAT ON INPUTS OF RIPARIAN ARTHROPODS INTO A LOW ORDER STREAM

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between terrestrial arthropod input into aquatic systems and the arthropod communities of the bordering riparian buffer zone with consideration of the potential effect that the adjacent agricultural pasture on sampling efforts. Sampling took place in late summer, 2013 in Rocky Ridge, Maryland on a private section of Owens Creek. Four sites were chosen along the stream bank and the riparian buffer was evaluated to determine if it met the requirement for "high quality buffer zone". Floating pan traps and corrals were used to sample arthropods entering the water from the zone, while sticky traps set at two different heights were used to sample the riparian arthropod community. 1096 specimens were collected from the aquatic traps and 2834 specimens were collected from the riparian zone. Significant differences were found between the input types for the total samples and for Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, and Araneae. No significant difference was found for Diptera or Coleoptera, or when comparing sampling periods.