The response of aquatic insect populations to manure inputs in stream channels was measured in two distinct California stream systems in the Coastal (37˚ 57’ N; 122˚ 43’ W) and Sierra Nevada (38˚ 55’ N; 120˚ 40’ W) mountain ranges. Three treatments varying the levels of manure input were applied to each stream (manure-enriched, placebo-experimental manipulation without manure-enrichment, and control). Manure was deposited into streams weekly for 8 weeks and was typical of manure deposited by 6 cows in one day (14 kg wet weight). Physical and stream characteristics were measured at 4 stations along each reach. Stream discharge, velocity, width, depth, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured 2, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment began. Insect densities and species richness were also measured.
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