Dr. William Matthews is an aquatic ecologist at the University of Oklahoma. He proposes to establish an aquatic research park adjacent to the University of Oklahoma's Biological Station located along Lake Texoma, a large reservoir created along the Red and Washita Rivers. Artificial streams would be constructed to simulate quiet pools of water interspersed with "riffle" intervals of more turbulent water. These artificial stream systems would be available for research by resident and visiting investigators. The streams would be used for a diverse array of studies, including experiments on predator/prey interactions and population dynamics, factors influencing the composition of fish assemblages, and the role of animal populations in the decomposition of wood in streams. These and other projects conducted at the Oklahoma Biological Station will greatly increase our understanding of the ecology of natural streams.
