The use of arthropods as ecological measures of desert spring health classification

Within each type of ecosystem there exist limiting factors that set the boundaries which regulate maximum productive primary growth. For desert ecosystems, water availability is the most significant limiting factor. Therefore, a monitoring system to effectively assess changes in the status or health of Mojave Desert springs allows resource decisions to be made effectively. Each spring site was classified by stream and water characteristics, level of disturbance, and geographic attributes. Plants and arthropods were examined and recorded at each spring site. Standardized trap placement techniques with an eye to concealment from human and animal intervention was established by studying randomized design schemes across water area habitats. Thorough analysis of the collected specimens was conducted to determine diversity, richness, and evenness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was calculated between observed differences for spring characteristic measures. Significance differences were expected to be found between level of disturbance and length of stream.