Telluride Institute

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Telluride Institute

Student Projects 2005

Student Project Summaries

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Feeding Mechanisms

A comparative study was done by a tenth grade Telluride High School student, in which stream insects were collected at two distinct locations, Bridal Veil Creek and the San Miguel River in Telluride. The study hypothesized that more insects using the “scraping” method of feeding, in which algae is scraped off rocks and ingested, would be found at the lower site in town due to lower water velocity, direct sunlight, increased nutrients and algal growth.

Bark Beetle Distribution and Forest Density

An eleventh grade Telluride High School student studied the effects and distribution of bark beetle in the forested areas of Bridal Veil Basin. Coniferous tree species in the Telluride region are susceptible to a naturally occurring root disease, as well as effects of long-term drought, making them an easy target for some bark-beetle species. The objective of this study was to determine if differences in forest density affect bark beetle infestation rates.

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Distribution and Mine Drainage

Stream insects and water quality samples were collected by a tenth grade student in two headwaters locations within the San Miguel River Watershed. Bridal Veil Creek was hypothesized to have a higher biodiversity index due to good stream health, as opposed to Howard’s Fork, which has several draining mine adit tributaries, tailings piles and highly mineralized surrounding topography.

Data Collection and Field Skills Acquired During 2005 Season

Tree identification, plotting, coring

Vegetation identification, counts, plotting and growth measurements

Stream flow measurements

Stream insect collection, identification and counts

Water, soil and air temperature daily

Soil moisture content and precipitation gauge read daily

Visiting Experts: 2005

Ramona Gaylord, naturalist and local birding expert

Chester Anderson: B.U.G.S. Consulting (Bioassessment Underwater Graphs & Stats)

Robert McKeever: U.S.F.S. Norwood District, historical land use expert

John SirJesse: HerbWalker Tours, local medicinal plant expert

Leigh Sullivan: San Miguel Watershed Coalition River Ranger

Nancy Wells: local stream insect specialist