Research Rachel Malison DeVlieg Taylor Graduate Research Assistantship 2005-2006 Master's Candidate Idaho State University Professor:  Dr. Colden Baxter, PhD Dept. of Biological Sciences ISU Stream Ecology Center "Aquatic-Terrestrial Connectivity in a Wilderness Watershed: Do emerging stream insects fuel riparian food webs following wildfire?" Rachel's Website Abstract and Introduction Rachel Malison I am studying the mid-term (5-10 years post fire) effects of fire on linkages between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.  Both the adjacent land and stream contribute food resources to each other.  This study investigates how fire might alter what energy streams provide to their adjacent riparian habitat.  I am studying this relationship by placing floating traps on streams to catch emerging insects.  The study is conducted on 16 streams in the Big Creek Drainage varying in degree of burn intensity.  I am trying to understand if and how fire alters the amount of energy coming out of the streams, in the form of emerging insects.  I hypothesize more insects will emerge in burned areas, meaning the fire could play an important role in the connectedness of water and land ecosystems.  It is important for us to study the connections between land and water in a wilderness area where impacts by humans are minimal so we can better understand the natural processes.   The information we gather from the wilderness about the relationships between fire and streams could make an impact on the management of fire in areas outside the wilderness.     Study is performed by placing floating traps on streams to catch emerging insects.     Rachel (center) and crew leave at nightime for spider survey.  (right) Jason Beck, Asst. After a very productive field season in the summer of 2005 collecting data, and a winter filled with aquatic insect identification work, I returned to Taylor Ranch Wilderness Field Station in 2006: The 2006 summer went well with most of the sampling running along smoothly, until returning from a 30 mile trip to a new study site, we noticed smoke in the air.  This was the beginning of the Dunce Creek fire.  Luckily I had finished most of the sampling before the fire started and we then flew out for safety reasons.  We returned to Taylor Ranch after the fire to complete additional sampling.  Two of my study sites burned completely and it was interesting to see the immediate effects of the fire.  It is understandable that fire can be interpreted as having a devastating effect, but in only a few short years the riparian vegetation will recover and the stream/riparian system might be more productive than it was before burning.  My study could serve as an important benchmark                                                  Dunce Creek before and after fire.        Jason Beck taking insect samples.        Rachel and John packing supplies to sites.