Aquatic Macroinvertebrate
Survey of Mt. Emmons' Iron Bog
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate
Survey of Mt. Emmons' Iron Bog
For over 20 years, mining companies
desiring to extract molybdenum from the West Elk Mountains have threatened a remarkably unique iron fen that situates
itself on the south side of Mount Emmons. This fen, presently known as the Mount Emmons Iron Bog, is now protected
as a Colorado Natural Area. The Mount Emmons fen is quite unusual, as it has a low pH (approximately 2.6-4.4),
but an extremely high mineral content dissimilar to what is found in many fens. We propose to do an aquatic macroinvertebrate
survey of the fen. The fen displays other unique bio-geo-chemical characteristics, and therefore, we expect to
find an unusual macroinvertebrate population. Although there has been virtually no research done on the macroinvertebrate
composition of the fen, there have already been two rare dragonflies, and numerous rare midge species found to
inhabit the area. We hope to find more atypical taxa and will work to elucidate the biology of these unusual organisms.
Although we have recently begun to understand why this fen is so unique, there is still a great deal to be studied
and learned. An assessment of the aquatic insects that inhabit the fen will be quite helpful in allowing us to
better recognize and appreciate the distinctive and irreplaceable nature of Colorado’s newest Natural Area.