Description of aquatic vegetation and invertebrate communities at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge is situated within a riverine system where refuge wetlands receive sediment-laden inflows that have been associated with diminished plant communities and water quality conditions. Accordingly, improved habitat- and water-quality conditions have been recognized as overall management goals, and the collection of baseline biotic and abiotic data has been identified as a priority to facilitate refuge planning, management, and restoration efforts. To support refuge management, we conducted a study with overall goals of characterizing the aquatic invertebrate and vegetation communities of the refuge and exploring relations between these communities and various water-quality parameters. Information provided by this study will directly support management of this and other refuges.