Poster Details
STORM RETENTION PONDS; AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATE BIODIVERSITY IN A SEMI-ARID URBAN LANDSCAPE
The City of Denton, located in a semi-arid region of Texas has over 200 manmade ponds within its city limits. Many of these ponds, located in densely populated areas, are engineered to control storm water runoff. There is a general lack of recognition of the value these waters contribute to regional biodiversity and as greenspaces. This study, conducted in Denton, is monitoring habitat variables and macroinvertebrate diversity in a series of ponds selected to represent a gradient of urban influences. The objective of this study is to identify the variables associated with the highest diversity. The study has determined that all the storm water ponds have high levels of diversity, but differ in taxa composition. The highest diversity and those with unique taxa were found in ponds with aquatic macrophytes. Conductivity was associated with urban influences. Results of this study are being used to develop a conservation plan for the city. The ponds are a benefit to the ecology of the city and provide beautiful, green spaces. If managed correctly, these systems can be incorporated into sustainable development in the future of the City of Denton.
Sabrina Moore (Primary Presenter/Author), University of North Texas, sabrinamoore2@my.unt.edu;
James Kennedy (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of North Texas, james.kennedy@unt.edu;