STILLWATER RIVERHOW ARE LIVING ORGANISMS AFFECTED BY THE CONDITION

OF STILLWATER RIVER?By: Hannah, Natalie, and Brittany

Location Western Ohio

The Stillwater Watershed drains 673 square miles in Western Ohio (including 32 square miles of Indiana).

Counties:ShelbyDarkeMontgomeryMiami

Land Use 80% agriculture

Nutrient enrichment Ammonia Metals Other habitat alterations

Impairments

Definitions IBI- Index used to measure the number of

species of fish. DO- Gaseous chemical (Oxygen) that is

important for organisms to survive. QHEI- Index used to determine habitat

quality.

• Hypothesis: As QHEI Increases, DO increases.•The QHEI affects the DO in three ways:

• Shade• Sediment • Riffles

Natalie’s Hypothesis

Dissolved Oxygen

Trees

Clarity

20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0100.00

5

10

15

Average DO vs. Average QHEI

QHEI

DO

How does this represent that my hypothesis is supported by the data?

• The trend line represents that the better the habitat quality, the better the DO levels

The QHEI of Stillwater River includes:• The trees• The clarity of the river• The riffles

Hannah’s Hypothesis I compared the average IBI to the average QHEI

- The better the habitat, the more variety of fish you have

- Having a habitat that meets a fish’s need for growth allows the diversity of fish to thrive

Stillwater River-This is an example of a great habitat.

Meandering Stream Riffles

Trees

Shade

My hypothesis is supported by the data because:When the QHEI goes , the IBI also goes

20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.00.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

f(x) = 0.41788190550534 x + 14.3917108800864R² = 0.584957644678733

QHEI and IBI SCATTER PLOT

QHEI

IBI

Brittany’s Hypothesis: DO &IBI As the DO decreases the IBI will also

decrease. All living things need oxygen Fish take in dissolved oxygen from

water

Stillwater River

Riffles

Dissolved Oxygen vs. Fish community

20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.00

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

f(x) = 0.1010468150253 x + 2.2261439929558R² = 0.491072686196223

IBI avg.

DO

mn

.

CONCLUSION

Chart & Data supports hypothesis

As the DO levels increase the better the IBI levels

How are Organisms affected by the conditions of the river?

We measured the condition of Stillwater River in three ways:The biological: IBI The physical: QHEIThe chemical: DO

We concluded that these three factors build off of each other, as Stillwater’s habitat improved, the DO levels increased and there was more of a diversity of fish

Stillwater Watershed Project

☻Local citizens, government agencies and organizations teamed up to protect and enhance the habitat.

☻Raised over 2 million dollars for the Stillwater River for generations to enjoy.

Stillwater River before the project

Acknowledgements

Thank you to all the teachers and sponsors!

Laura, Jenny, Katie Hendrickson, Roberta, Katie Hossler, Paula, Leslie, Shannon and Steve.

Especially Luna, who helped be answering our questions and guide us to finishing this project