Assessment of the ecological integrity of two wetland sites within Eastern Michigan University’s Fish Lake Environmental Education Center (FLEEC)

<p>Wetland ecosystems function as reservoirs of biodiversity for both terrestrial and aquatic organisms, and are among the most vulnerable ecosystems to degradation. The ecological integrity of two wetlands at Eastern Michigan University’s Fish Lake Environmental Education Center, a bog and one vernal pool, was assessed. Plant species richness was used to conduct Floristic Quality Assessments (FQA) using the coefficient of conservatism and wetland indicator status for each species. The Michigan Rapid Assessment Method (MiRAM) was conducted as a more comprehensive assessment of each ecosystem. The bog had an FQA of 31.6 and a MiRAM: 81/100, representing high-quality wetland conditions. The vernal pool had an FQA of 24.6 and a MiRAM: 69/100, which suggests moderate to high-quality wetlands. In order to maintain these wetlands as educational resources for students, monitoring work should continue using the FQA and MiRAM to identify changes in wetland health.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Rice, Brianna

Contributors dc:contributor

• Margaret Hanes, Ph.D.
• Katherine Greenwald, Ph.D.
• Kristin Judd, Ph.D.

• Biodiversity
• Field-based
• Michigan
• Wetland diversity
• Wetland ecosystems
• Wetlands
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1239

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2608