Aquatic biodiversity in the Pecos River: Investigating threats, resources, and new monitoring methods

As a result of habitat loss and non-native species introductions globally, many freshwater systems are in a state of biodiversity declines. My dissertation research addresses critical gaps in the current knowledge of several key environmental change drivers in the Pecos River system, which taken together demonstrate the combined impacts that habitat loss and non-native species can have on arid-land rivers. By investigating the role that tributaries play in supporting mainstem macroinvertebrate communities, I illustrate the value that these systems can provide in the face of habitat loss. Additionally, my research aims to document reproductive traits and population size structure of the non-native species, Fundulus grandis, which is integral understanding its impacts and preserving native fish diversity in the Pecos River. Finally, I explored new methods with which to detect biodiversity in aquatic systems in the face of biodiversity declines. This research offers insight into the key problems that arid-land freshwater systems are facing and provides valuable information in regard to management and conservation.