A baseline survey of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities at seven sites in the Abrams Creek system, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County, Tennessee

In 1993, the National Park Service initiated efforts to exclude livestock and improve riparian conditions along Abrams Creek and its tributaries in the Gades Cove area. A baseline survey of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities began in late 1993 and continued through 1995. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to provide a baseline bioassessment of conditions during treatment and, (2) provide a detailed inventory of macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness at each of seven sample sites.

Samples revealed a rich macroinvertebrate fauna, with 340 taxa in 90 families identified from all sites combined. Total taxa richness at each site was positively correlated to stream size. However, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa richness was lower than expected at two sites downstream of Gades Cove. Biotic index scores (NCBI) also indicated slightly more tolerant communities at these sites. Effects from erosion and possible nutrient enrichment in Gades Cove are implicated. However, other site-specific factors, including lack of habitat diversity, may be significant contributing factors.