Exploring Blueback Herring Ecology with eDNA and River Flow Dynamics
The eDNA project is the sampling and recording of blueback herring along the Roanoke River in relation to the Kerr Dam which regulates the flow of water for more than 100 miles downstream.
Tray Blackwell (left) and Chase Spicer (right) recording data on fish caught from electrofishing.
The Roanoke River plays a huge role in the spawning of migratory (diadromous) fish in eastern North Carolina and the East Coast. eDNA is used to find the relationship of the juvenile fish to the river flow to better understand the little-known ecology of these fish and find ways of more effective management. These findings will help the Nature Conservancy to understand how eDNA can be used as a tool and how different flow volumes affect the movement and potential success of blueback hearing.
Client: Dr. Erin Field, Chase Spicer
Project Faculty Mentor: Dr. Erin Field
Project Owner: Trey Blackwell
Team Members: Trey Blackwell, Nicholas Kruchten, Oceana Apollo
Necessary Skills: Water sampling, Biology, Electrofishing, Data Entry, Driving, Chemistry, Water Filtering.
Are you interested in working with ECU WaterCorps?
If you are interested in working with ECU WaterCorps, please fill out the attached form and send it to water@ecu.edu. ECU WaterCorps will then review the project request and determine if we have the capability and staffing to assist with the proposed project. We encourage potential clients to directly contact us at water@ecu.edu prior to submitting the form to help with scoping the project.
Click here to download the ECU WaterCorps Client Application Form!
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