Ben Paul investigates the effects of a green alga on macroinvertebrates in Master's thesis

Benjamin Paul defended his master's thesis entitled "Influence of Cladophora sp. on the Composition and Spatial Distribution of Macroinvertebrate Communities in streams." Ben collected samples of macroinvertebrates in streams in the Susquehanna River watershed that exhibited a gradient of Cladophora, a common filamentous green alga. He also measured photosynthetic active radiation, oxygen, temperature and depth in each stream. Ben compared macroinvertebrate communities and their corresponding indices of biotic integrity between different samples to assess the impact of Cladophora. This information could be useful to ecosystem managers when encountering large growths of Cladophora. Ben's major professor was Dr. Steven Rier and committee members were Dr. Thomas Klinger and Dr. Lauri Green. 

Ben has published a technical report for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on crayfish burrows in Jakey Hollow Natural Area with co-authors  Sean Hartzell, Emily Ashberry, Samantha Maywald, Caitlyn Collins, Keara Drummer, Hannah Anderson, Kayla Davis, R. Koch, Justin Blake, Sierra Smith, and Dr. Klinger. He has presented research at the College of Science and Technology Research Day, the Delaware Watershed Research Conference at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and the Susquehanna River Symposium. He has received a Bloomsburg University Thesis Research Grant. As a graduate assistant, Ben supported Concepts in Biology 2, Wetlands Ecology, and Microbiology. He tutored biology at ABLE and participated in Water Education Day with the Columbia County Conservation District. Ben was a regular volunteer for the College of Science and Technology, assisting with the Pathways in Science and Technology event and the annual Christmas party. He assisted with the Christmas Bird Count in Columbia County, and mentored undergraduate researchers. Ben plans to pursue a career as a field biologist at a government agency of conservation organization. 


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