Macroinvertebrate response to restoration of Cloisters Branch, Baltimore Co., MD, USA

This dataset contains benthic macroinvertebrate and environmental data from four urban streams in Towson, Baltimore County MD, USA.  Cloisters Branch underwent stream restoration in 2018.  Three "control" streams: Towson Run, Salamander Branch and Glen Branch were not restored.  Pre-restoration sampling occurred in 2013-2014.  Post-restoration sampling occurred in 2023-2024.  For all files, dates are in day/month/year format.  Sample Sites M1, M3, M4, M5, M6 are on Cloisters Branch (upstream to downstream). "TOWS" = Towson Run; "SALA" = Salamander Branch; "GLEN" = Glen Branch. All stream sampling sites are on/adjacent to the Towson University campus.  Sampling was conducted at baseflow.  Water quality parameters measured with a YSI Pro2030 meter.  Carbon and nitrogen concentrations measured on a Shimadzu TOC-L total organic carbon analyzer with a TMN-L total nitrogen measuring unit.   

Cloisters benthos_Data.csv -contains counts of macroinvertebrate genera in D-net samples (20 jabs best available habitat) from Cloisters Branch only.  

Benthic taxa list.docx - Taxon code names defined by Family and Genus, for Cloisters benthos data.

Chironomid Pupal Exuviae.csv - emergence of chironomid genera, as counts of pupal exuviae (10 minute samples) from all four streams.

Chironomid Pupal Exuviae Taxa Codes.docx - taxon code names are defined for genera of chironomid exuviae.

Specific conductivity.csv - units of measurement = microSeimens/cm. temperature-corrected field measurements

pH.csv - field measurements of pH taken during midday

Dissolved oxygen%Saturation.csv - dissolved oxygen as percent saturation; field measurements taken midday

Algal Thickness Scores.csv - mean thickness category of attached algal mats, measured at a minimum of 100 random points.  Definition of thickness categories:  0.5 = slimy; 1 = thin, visible color; 2 = 0.5-1 mm; 3 = 1-5 mm; 4 = 5-20 mm; 5 > 20 mm.

Total Carbon.csv - Concentration of total dissolved carbon (inorganic + organic) in mg/l. 

Total Nitrogen.csv - Concentration of total nitrogen in mg/l.