1. *Stillwater watershed project* By: Group 2 Meah Kee Tiffany Yang Lesley Preece Teacher: Melanie

2. *Definitions* Watershed- drainage basin for a stream IBI- the number of fish species in the watershed. ICI- the number of macro- invertebrates in the watershed QHEI- index used to determine habitat quality

3. Methods To find out how many species of fish are in a watershed (IBI), we use electrofishing. ( Shocking the fish to make them swim to our nets.) To find out how many macroinvertebrates are in a watershed we drop nets and disturb the substrate.

4. Background of Stillwater Location: Located in Eastern Ohio, bordering Indiana. Montgomery, Darke, and Miami counties contain the watershed Land: 80% of the land is cropland. Some hay and lots of row crops. Some small cities and towns

5. Background of Stillwater Cont. Large number of live- stock and poultry operations in the upper part of the watershed resulted in high bacteria and high levels of nutrients.

6. Stillwater Stillwater is on the priority list for impaired waters in Ohio. EPA has projects going on to improve it. It contains some macro- invertebrates and 59 fish species and has birds such as wood duck and the great blue heron

7. Hypothesis # 1 As maximum total nitrates increases IBI (fish) decreases.

8. Analysis Nitrates in the water are there because of run off from farmers’ fields. Nitrates are harmful to fish and humans. They are found in fertilizers. The Stillwater watershed is 80% cropland.

9. Conclusion to hypothesis # 1 From looking at the graph we came to the conclusion that our hypothesis is supported. It is because the places that have more nitrates also have less fish.

10. Hypothesis # 2 As the QHEI ( habitat quality) increases the ICI (macro- invertebrates) increases

11. Analysis As you can see here there is one place that is the exception to our hypothesis. We know there is a discrepancy because there is one place where the QHEI decreases and the ICI increases. We researched this area and could not figure out why this occurred.

12. Conclusion of hypothesis # 2 This information supported our hypothesis As the QHEI increased the ICI increased

13. Hypothesis #3 Our hypothesis was: As the percent of deciduous forests increases, the ICI increases.

14. Analysis We graphed the information Percent of deciduous forests increased, ICI increased Exception of location seven Our research could not find conclusion to discrepancy

15. Conclusion to hypothesis #3 Our conclusion supported hypothesis Where there was a high percentage of deciduous forests, the ICI was high also.

16. Improvements EPA sponsoring improvement projects Reduce oil erosion Encourage manure management Restore wetlands Reduce septic loading Restore riparian zones Stillwater: greatly improved in past seven years

17. *The End* Thank you YWSI, OSC, and especially Melanie.