Survey for Physella wright - the hotwater physa, at Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park, August 2006.
Description of activity:
The research is a survey of the Hotwater physa, Physella wrighti, to estimate population distribution and abundance, in order to monitor the population of this freshwater snail found in a single hot spring site in Canada. Researchers will gather data regarding the density of snail populations and the characteristics of the habitat it utilizes in order to provide an updated assessment of its status.
The proposed methodology allows accurate, monitoring of this population. Estimates of snail density per square meter will be calculated based on repeated sweeps of vegetation to dislodge snails. Where snails are found on open substrate, counts are done by quadrat. Attempts will be made to document egg case deposition.
Population density estimates and ecosystem data will be sampled for every meter of stream where P. wrighti is known to occur. Each sample site will be georeferenced and documented using digital photography.