A water quality and biological assessment of lakes and streams in northern lower Michigan

LimnologyTwenty-two sites on lakes and streams with varying amounts of human activity were studied in Cheboygan and Emmet counties in Northern Lower Michigan. Water quality was determined by testing for water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total suspended solids, ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and chloride. Additionally, macroinvertebrates were sampled for an EPT index and water samples were tested for DEET, Triclosan, Caffeine, and Cotinine. As human activity increased, pH and total suspended solids increased, while the EPT index decreased. Sites with significant agriculture had increased nitrate, ammonium, and chloride concentrations. Sampling sites near industrial facilities had lower pH and DO and increased conductivity and chloride. Sites in urban areas had greater concentrations of phosphate and chloride. This study will continue with new results and further analyzing to explain the relationship between water quality, intolerant macroinvertebrates, and human activity.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143551/1/Coy_2017.pd

Floristic quality assessment and ecosystem analysis of the Duncan Bay nature Preserve, Cheboygan County, Michigan

Field Botany of Northern MichiganHere we provide a comprehensive list of flora found within the Duncan Bay Nature Preserve, for which we report a Native Floristic Quality Index number of 69.3. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for site management including a geolocated list of alien and invasive species with potential removal suggestions, details of a geolocated population of Michigan’s threatened state wildflower Iris lacustris, a detailed walking-trail plan including a proposed parking lot location, and informational signs at key locations.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116389/1/Buchanan_Coy_Ho_Jones_Marshall_McGuffie_Skrzypek_Zettell_2015.pd

Golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) habitat preference in Michigan's northern lower peninsula.

Biology of BirdsPopulations of birds are often limited by habitat, competition, and lack of food resources. The Golden-winged Warbler population has been steadily declining globally and in the Great Lakes region presumably due to a combination of these factors. In this study, we conducted point counts at 10 upland and 10 lowland randomly selected sites in Emmet and Cheboygan counties and recorded all birds and estimated plant coverage. Based on research of Golden-winged Warbler habitat, we predicted Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) to be more abundant in lowland areas as opposed to upland areas with comparable early succession. However, we did not find a significant difference between Golden-winged Warbler's habitat preference between upland and lowland sites. However, the results must be cautiously interpreted given the methodological limitations of our study.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136101/1/Coy_La_Gattuta_Smith_Splitt_2016.pd