Session A, 2015 First Place: Whatever the Case May Be: Investigating Trichoptera Diversity in Three Adirondack Streams

Caddisfly larvae are used as an indicator species for stream health. Anthropogenic development and pollution threaten the quality of streams and the diversity of macroinvertebrates such as caddisflies. The larvae develop in the stream in cases built from sand and organic matter and adults remain near the stream. We hypothesize that the diversity of larvae will be the same as the diversity of adults in three streams at Cranberry Lake Biological Station. Larvae were collected at ten sites in three streams near the campus using d-nets and forceps. Adults were caught at one site at each stream at night using a UV light trap. The ANOVA/Tukey’s Test, Shannon-Weiner Index, paired t-test, and Sorenson’s Coefficient were all performed to determine the difference in diversity between all three streams and between larvae and adults at each stream. The results of the ANOVA/Tukey’s Test showed no significant difference in diversity between all three sites. We reject our null hypothesis, as the paired t-test done for each stream site between aquatic and terrestrial samples showed no significant difference. We therefore conclude that terrestrial caddisfly diversity can be indicative of stream health

Park system improvement -- accessibility and management : Brookline's Parks and Open Space Division.

This report, prepared for the Town of Brookline's Parks and Open Spaces Division, investigates the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it pertains to Brookline's park and open spaces. The guidelines described by the ADA were used in conjunction with the Geographical Information System that was implemented to evaluate the position of Brookline with the ADA's guidelines. The information provided by the team will enable Brookline to assess the feasibility of the need to develop a proper maintenance plan for its parks and open spaces to ensure ADA compliancy