Department of the Interior Grant: Fauna Survey in National Capital Parks-East (NACE)

The objective of the grant is to continue to inventory National Capital Parks – East land within Washington DC, continue the collection of water quality parameters, and conduct genetic testing on the subterranean invertebrate Stygobromus sp. to classify that species within the Stygobromus genus.

Measurable results will be 1) completed surveys on sections of park land documenting the presence of seepage springs, 2) water quality parameters collected to determine why species occur where they do,  3) genetic results returned from our unknown Stygobromus that was found on previous surveys, and 4) expand the GIS database of known seeps which will allow for the better management of park land.

This project supports the DOI priority 10.1.a Utilize science to identify best practices to manage land and water resources and adapt to changes in the environment.  We cannot protect what we do not know is present.  This project will document seepage springs that are present on park land within Washington DC.  It will collect ancillary information to determine why ground-dwelling invertebrates are present in some seepage springs and not in others, and it will enable a science-based protection of seepage springs and ground-dwelling invertebrates within the park, enabling more effective park planning, increasing the likelihood of protecting these resources for the enjoyment of future generations of the American public.  It will also aid the classification of the Stygobromus genus, which will add to the base knowledge of the park as well as greater scientific knowledge of amphipod biology and provide students with the opportunity to contribute to scientific understanding in the field of subterranean fauna biology and work on their local public land.