After analysis of the data, we found that our hypothesis was only supported in one of the three local creeks. We were unable to make any concrete statements about water quality as a result of biodiversity. Many factors could have influenced our study besides water quality. Anthropogenic factors, predation, or organism-environment interactions could all have had an influence on biodiversity in each of these three local creeks. The interest in biodiversity has skyrocketed primarily due to its rapid decline.
Biodiversity plays a powerful role in ecosystems by indicating the condition of the environment.
Many studies have been done relating biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. Since plankton are the foundation of aquatic food webs and sustain all higher organisms, plankton biodiversity levels in different yet related habitats were investigated. The Bald Cypress Pond as well as a point upstream and a point downstream of the pond at the Taylor Arboretum were chosen as our sampling sites. Methods included measuring speed and water temperature, making visual observations on each site, water testing for sulfide, hardness, silica, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, ammonia-nitrate, chlorides, phosphates, nitrates, pH, and dissolved oxygen, obtaining plankton net sweep samples, and placing glass slides under water. Water flow rate was fastest in downstream and slowest in pond.