COMMUNITY ATLAS PROJECT
CATHANCE RIVER NATURE PRESERVE
Return to Research Map
Mt Ararat H.S. Research Title: Cathance River Invertebrate Sampling
There was a study done here to look at invertebrate sampling. The purpose was to find an abundance of aquatic invertebrates and see what kinds of organisms are impacted by the speed of the water. The hypothesis was that there will be a more varied aquatic organism count before the rapids than during and after them. The conclusion showed that the location before the rapids had many more species and a higher level of diversity.Title: Cathance River Water Quality Monitoring
This spot along the Cathance River was chosen for a water monitoring site. A comparison of the chemical composition and the characteristics in different locations along the river was attempted. Oxygen, nitrate, pH, and temperature levels were tested in faster and slower spots on the river and compared to each other. The researcher believed that there would not be a very noticeable difference between the areas on this particular river from week to week. However, the over all average at the end of the experiment would show that temperature would be slightly higher towards the mouth and the oxygen levels would be greater in the middle where the river speeds up. Over the course of this experiment, the researchers proved parts of their hypothesis correct.Title: Observing Moss
The study done here was to observe how the amount of light shining on an area and the moisture of the soil affects moss growth. The hypothesis the researchers made was that there would be more moss on the rocks that are in a shady area, receiving less light. The result showed how light on moss affected the moss growth. The hypothesis that the researchers predicted was correct. The most moss did grow on the rock with the least amount of sunlight.Title: Insect Sampling
There was an experiment done here to observe the changes in the different species of insects and spiders according to the temperature in the area. The researchers predicted that the population of insects and spiders will decrease as the temperature decreases. This prediction was correct.Title: Transition Zones (Ecotones) of the Cathance River Preserve
There was a study held here to determine if the land and its plants nearest to the pond are different that those of the land at the opposite end of the transect, while also observing how the plants vary in between. The hypothesis made was that the land closest to the pond will be wetter, and the plants will be more water oriented. There will be different plant species and the soil moisture content will change from one end of the transect to another depending on elevation. The conclusion that the researchers made was that, overall, the transect was changed from one end to another. The dominant plant species at the far end of the transect line were trees such as eastern white pine, the balsam fir, and the red maple. As they moved toward the pond, the vegetation changed from trees to smaller shrubs.Title: Cathance River Study: Ferns
The study done here was to see how light and moisture affects the density of ferns in a meter square area. The researchers predicted that the ferns will grow more densely in areas with high soil moisture, and a low level of light. They found that the density of the ferns did not seem to be affected whatsoever by light. In one area, where there was the highest amount of light, the density was neither, the highest or lowest.Title: Cathance River Nature Preserve, Aquatic Invertebrate Sampling in an Isolated Pond.
This study was done to see the changes in species in the pond and how they relate to abiotic factors such as air and water temperature, water depth, conditions, pH, oxygen content, and precipitation. The hypothesis made was that the populations will start decreasing as winter approaches and the organisms die or go into hibernation. The conclusion made was that there was a variety of organisms found in the pond and t that he temperature affected most of the organisms because the chemical reactions necessary for them to swim couldn’t happen as quickly when the water is cold.
