Anticipated Results

We anticipate that our results will show that fish diversity and abundance is relatively high in the urban section of the stream due to the nutrients collecting there.

We conjecture that our GoPro footage will show substantial fish abundance and diversity in the urban reach. Our nutrient testing should show levels of ammonium, phosphate, nitrite, and nitrate nutrients that indicate a productive stream.

Our historical research will provide valuable information about the uses of the stream in the past. These stories will inspire the community to work towards its protection. When people are connected to a place by stories they are compelled to treasure the place. We hope to show through the photographs that this community has a hidden gem right in their backyard.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Thomas Webler and Dr. Denise Burchsted for their help with our project.

We will collect water samples at five sites along Beaver Brook and measure the levels of phosphate, ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate, sampling each site at least three times.

We will take underwater footage of fish in the brook using a GoPro Hero Silver 3+ camera. Viewing the footage, we will count numbers of fish seen and codify their species. This will help us determine the diversity of fish in the brook.

We will analyze the nutrient data and biodiversity data to investigate whether there is a correlation.

We will also conduct historical research on the timeline of Beaver Brook and adjacent lands. This will include referencing accounts of changes in the brook and stories connecting the brook to the lives of past Keene residents.

Methods

The purpose of the project is to better understand the ecological productivity of Beaver Brook as well as current and historic land uses near the brook. Understanding the health and ecosystem services of this brook is important if the Keene Community is to preserve this resource. We propose to study nutrient levels and fish biodiversity in five sites along the brook. We hypothesize that nutrient levels will be higher in the urbanized area of the brook compared to the rural headwaters. This increased level of nutrients in the urban reach will correlate to increased biodiversity of fish. We also propose to collect information on historical and current uses of Beaver Brook and adjacent lands and share these stories with local residents. By providing this information to the public, they will be more likely to support the preservation of the brook.

Abstract

Beaver Brook runs for 3.5 miles, from Gilsum, NH east of Rt. 10, through the city of Keene, NH before it joins the Ashuelot River just south of Rt. 101. It passes through various land-use districts on its course through the city.

Waterways have been an important fixture of Keene since the first indigenous people arrived. The lands around Beaver Brook have had many transformations over the years. We will discover interesting stories and anecdotes that can make the history of Beaver Brook come alive.

Previous research has shown that the concentration of nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphorous) influence fish diversity in brooks. Biological diversity comprises measures of abundance, richness, and evenness.

Background

Figure 1. Beaver Brook. Photographs by Gianni Demasco

Figure 2. Postcard of Beaver Brook Falls, showing children fishing

Figure 4. This area has three different species (species richness), one species has four total members (species abundance), each species has different numbers of members (species evenness).