Schulte et al. 2023. Anthropogenic effects on the east and west streams of Blind Brook
By Mills Schulte, Devon Beaumont, Kailey Ossorio, Chia-Li Sung
Abstract
The expansion of urbanization and increase of anthropologic activity has a well-chronicled effect on habitats. The effects of human development on these habitats include habitat fragmentation, noise pollution, and biodiversity loss as well as species richness loss. To understand how these effects on the habitat take place, we collected samples of abiotic factors in the east and west streams which drastically differ from each other in terms of environmental circumstances. Dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and Soil pH were measured as well as Species Richness to understand how the environments of both streams shape these factors. Results found that the more anthropogenic west stream had a lower species richness compared to the more distant east stream. Water temperatures were higher in the west stream and lower in the east stream while soil pH and dissolved oxygen levels were the same in both streams. The study can lead to more carefully constructed urban projects and sustainable construction developments that do not negatively affect local habitats and decrease species abundance.