Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Oklahoma
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Ponds are increasingly being recognized as a major contributor to aquatic invertebrate diversity that is nested within larger terrestrial networks. Ponds are ubiquitous across the globe, but have been relatively little studied. Temporary aquatic habitats like ponds create environments that sometimes harbor distinct species and assemblages, showing how these environments contribute to overall diversity in the landscape. Working with partners from Oklahoma State University and the Osage Nation, we are studying the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in ponds and how the presence of fish may influence the structure of those assemblages. Data from this study will be especially useful for managers of the Osage Nation Ranch as it helps complete their knowledge of the biodiversity contain within.