 |
||
|
National Center For Environmental Research |  |
 |
||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
PublicationsEcological Assessment and Indicators Research
Ecological Assessment and Indicators Research April 2001 Introduction Ecological indicators are markers of overall ecosystem integrity and sustainability. Research to develop indicators, or suites of indicators, is essential for assessing ecosystem health. According to EPA's ORD Ecological Research Strategy, ecological indicators are any expression of the environment that quantitatively estimates the condition of the ecological resource, the magnitude of the stress, the exposure of the biological components to stress, or the amount of change in the condition. NCER's STAR program has focused on the development of indicators that integrate between or among resource types, incorporate multiple levels of biological organization, and address multiple spatial scales. Methods developed or refined through STAR research, together with methods developed by continuing efforts of other federal programs, will be considered in developing future coordinated national assessments of ecological conditions, as well as for assessments at regional and watershed scales. The research projects described below are funded by NCER grants. For ease of understanding, all grants have been placed under topic areas that describe the overall, general objectives of the projects. Specific information is given for each grant that includes: title, web address, EPA grant number, principal investigator(s), institution (university), NCER project officer, dates during which the grant is funded, and a brief description of the research. Science Questions and Issues that NCER Is
Addressing Related to the Impacts of Ecological Assessment and Indicators Other Information on Ecological Indicators and Assessment NCER RESEARCH ON ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND INDICATORS 1999 Progress Report - Ecosystem Monitoring via Genetic Diversity
Surveys of Dandelions using VNTR multi-locus DNA probes The purpose of this project is to investigate the use of dandelions (Taraxacum officinale Weber; Asteraceae) as a potentially new model for monitoring the integrity of natural ecosystems and the sustainability of ecosystems that are affected by anthropogenic influences. The specific hypothesis to be tested is: dandelions can be used as a sensitive ecological indicator species through comparative analyses of genetic markers since differences in: (1) mutation rates, and/or (2) population genetic structure, can be detected between pollution impacted versus non-impacted populations. Results indicate that the amount of a metal at a site does not always predict the amount sequestered in the dandelion tissues, other factors such as site seasonal climate history, substrate characteristics, and/or dandelion genotypes present at a site possibly interacting with uptake. Are Genetic Diversity and Genetic Differentiation Bioindicators
of Contaminant Impact on Natural Populations? Fundulus heteroclitus
as a Model Estuarine Species Molecular genetic traits of the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, are being evaluated as bioindicators of population-level effects of pollution. This study will provide environmental managers with a better understanding of how chronic exposure of natural populations to contaminants can alter genetic variability, population structure, and toxicant tolerance in local populations, and how they relate to organism health. The potential use of allozyme and DNA genetic diversity as a biomarker of population impact of pollution will be demonstrated. Application of molecular bioindicators for population effects will be demonstrated across a landscape feature, the Elizabeth River. Results show that Fundulus populations residing in contaminated habitats are genetically distinct from populations in neighboring, clean sites and that genetic structure over a landscape reflects the mosaic of polluted and clean habitat. Publications/Presentations: Mulvey M, Newman MC, Vogelbein W, Unger M, Ownby D, Arzayus F. Are genetic diversity and genetic differentiation bioindicators of contaminant inpact on natural populations? Fundulus heteroclitus as a model estuarine species. Presented at the International Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting. Mulvey M, Newman MC, Vogelbein W, Unger M, Ownby D, Arzayus F. Genetic differentiation in natural populations of Fundulus heteroclitus exposed to PAH-contaminated sediments. Presented at the National Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Meeting. Mulvey M, Newman MC, Vogelbein W, Unger M. Aquatic toxicology genetic structure of fundulus heteroclitus from PAH-contaminated and neighboring sites along the Elizabeth River (submitted for publication). 2000 Progress Report - Microbial indicators of biological integrity
and nutrient stress for aquatic ecosystems The purpose of this project is to examine several chemical and biological variables that may provide not only a broadly applicable approach to understanding the biological consequences of nutrient loading in aquatic systems, but may also provide a means of predicting the resulting community structure. The indicators examined are: (1) seston C:N:P ratio; (2) species-level responses of algae to nutrient bioassays; (3) community-level responses of bacteria to nutrient bioassays; (4) community structure of algae; (5) community structure of bacteria; and (6) the estimated ratio of algal to bacterial specific growth rates. Results indicate that joint limitation by these nutrients occurs, that the algae are usually more severely nutrient-limited than the bacteria, and that rapid shifts in degree of limitation are more common in Joe Pool Lake, where algal growth appears more episodic than in Eagle Mountain Lake. See website for publications/presentations 1999 Progress Report: Demographic and genetic factors affecting
population viability of Lupinus perennis, an indicator species of
Oak Savanna Plants in small and sparse populations often have low reproductive success, indicating that fragmentation of populations by human activities may prevent populations from being self-sustaining. This research project is intended to improve understanding of whether and how population decline develops for a model organism, perennial Lupine (Lupinus perennis: Fabaceae). Ten lupine sites have been identified for analysis. Publications/Presentations: Poster SX, Mitchell RJ, Michaels H. Effects of self-pollination and resources on reproduction in wild lupine. Presented at the International Botanical Congress, St. Louis, MO, August 1999. 1999 Progress Report - Environmental Factors That Influence
Amphibian Community Structure and Health as Indicators of Ecosystems
Publications/Presentations: Johnson LB, Johnson C, Richards C, Beasley V. Modeling the use of emergent wetlands by anurans in the North Central United States. Presented to the North American Benthological Society, Duluth, MN, May 1999. Johnson LB, Johnson C, Richards C, Beasley V. Modeling the use of emergent wetlands by anurans in the Midwestern United States. Presented at the International Association of Landscape Ecologists meeting, Snowmass, CO, July 1999. Johnson LB. Amphibian community structure and health: does landscape structure matter? Presented at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Patuxent, MD, October 6, 1999. Johnson C, Johnson LB, Richards C, Beasley V, Predicting the occurrence of amphibians: an assessment of multiple-scale models. Presented at a symposium, Predicting Plant and Animal Occurrences: Issues of Scale and Accuracy, Snowbird, UT, October 19–22, 1999. A manuscript with the same title will be submitted in association with this symposium. 2000 Progress Report - Foraminifera as Ecosystem Indicators:
Phase 1. A Marine Benthic Perturbation Index; Phase 2. Bioassay
Protocols The researchers have developed an index to quantify changes in benthic ecosystems, which can be applied to historical, sediment-core, and surface-sediment data sets. Protocols have been adapted for measuring ATP as a means to determine viability and metabolic activities in Amphistegina gibbosa individuals. Specimens from the same field collections and laboratory experiments also have been analyzed cytologically to quantify numbers of symbionts, digestion of symbionts, proportions and kinds of vacuoles, and presence or absence of organelles. The grantees have verified experimentally that exposure to elevated intensities of photosynthetically active radiation, either alone or in combination with added UV-B (280-320 nm), induces symbiont loss in Amphistegina gibbosa similar to what has been seen in field populations, and that shorter wavelengths of Photosynthetically Active Radiation induce more bleaching than longer wavelengths. See web site for numerous publications related to this research. Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Larval Fish Morphometrics as
Indicators of Ecosystem Health The objective of this research is to examine the patterns of larval shape using a new analytical approach: the thin-plate spline-relative warp analysis. Understanding spatiotemporal patterns of larval morphometric condition indices will help: (1) to reveal ecosystem function by allowing identification and characterization of attributes responsible for that status; and (2) to anticipate the consequences of early assessment of good or impaired condition, and especially to know the subtle effects of anthropogenic change such as pollution or habitat modification. 1999 Progress Report - Multiscale Assessment of the Population
Status of Thalassia testudinum: A New Approach to Ecosystem Assessment
The primary goal of this project is to test the utility of demographic, morphological, physiological, and chemical characteristics of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) as indicators of chronic environmental stress on estuarine and nearshore ecosystems. The grantees also are attempting to determine the most effective sampling design and scale for assessing the impact of natural and human impacts on seagrass beds. Publications/Presentations: Four papers derived from this project were presented at seagrass sessions of the Biennial Conference of the Estuarine Research Federation in September, 1999. Titles of the presentations and abstracts follow: Durako MJ, Merello M, McRae G, Carlson PR. Scale-based variability in Thalassia testudinum morphology and demography along the west coast of Florida. Presented at the Estuarine Research Federation Conference, September 1999. Rose CD, Fourqurean JW, Rutten LM. Seagrass C:N:P—Investigating the effects of spatial scale, environmental heterogeneity, nutrient sources, and sampling effort. Presented at Estuarine Research Federation Conference, September 1999. Moncreiff CA, Randall TA, Caldwell JD, McCall RK, Blackburn BR, Criss GA. Recovery of North Chandeleur Islands seagrass populations from the effects of Hurricane Georges. Presented at the Estuarine Research Federation Conference, September 1999. Peterson BJ, Fourqurean JW. Spatial variability of Thalassia testudinum population growth dynamics in South Florida. Presented at the Estuarine Research Federation Conference, September 1999. HOW CAN WE ASSESS ECOLOGICAL CONDITION THROUGH CHEMICAL INDICATORS? 1999 Progress Report - Soil Enzyme Stability as an Ecosystem
Indicator The purpose of this project is to effectively use the soil as an indicator of ecosystem "health." Specific objectives of the project include: 1) refining microwave enzyme stress test for maximum sensitivity in detecting soil management/stressors as a soil quality and ecosystem indicator, 2) determining temporal dynamics of selected soil enzyme activities and microwave enzyme stress across diverse agro-ecosystems, and 3) investigating the relationship of soil enzyme activities to other soil properties to develop conceptual models on the role of enzyme activity and stability to be an indicator or soil quality. Although the data are still being analyzed and some of the laboratory work is still being completed, very consistent results with all three enzyme assays across all three sampling times are being found. The forest soils generally have much higher activities than agricultural soils. Biogeochemical Indicators of Watershed Integrity and Wetland
Eutrophication The central hypothesis of this project is that rates of biogeochemical cycling of C, N, and P in wetlands can be used to indicate the ecological integrity of wetlands, and that the concentrations of certain forms of these elements can accurately predict the rates of ecologically important processes. The objectives of the proposed research are to: (1) identify the key biogeochemical processes impacted by nutrient loading and measure the rates of these processes along the nutrient gradient, (2) develop relationships between a "process" and its related easily measurable "indicator", (3) determine the spatial and temporal distribution of easily measurable indicators for a test wetland ecosystem, (4) determine the spatial variations in biogeochemical processes, and develop spatial maps for various processes to determine the extent of impact and risk assessment, and (5) validate the predictability of empirical relationships by making independent measurements of biogeochemical processes in different wetland ecosystems. Foliar Chemistry as an Indicator of Forest Ecosystem Status,
Primary Production, and Stream Water Chemistry Objectives of this research include: (1) understanding and predicting annual changes in N and cation content of foliage and its interaction with forest production and stream water chemistry in the White Mountains forests, (2) measurements of foliar concentrations of N and nutrient cations at the whole stand level related to forest productivity and soil water chemistry below the rooting zones in 40 plots across the northeastern U.S., and (3) development and testing of algorithms for predicting forest productivity and stream water chemistry across the White Mountain region from high spectral remote sensing data. The grantees have established that foliar N and calcium (Ca) can be mapped across the White Mountain National Forest (300,000 ha) using remote sensing technology. Foliar N is a good predictor of forest productivity. The relationship between foliar Ca and productivity still needs to be examined. 1999 Progress Report - Modeling Ozone Flux to Forests Across
an Ozone Concentration Gradient in the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
CA This project will work towards developing a model that estimates ozone flux from ozone concentration by utilizing routinely measured ozone and meteorology. Researchers are also exploring the utility of 13C as a proxy for stomatal conductance in the estimation of ozone deposition. Experiments demonstrated that site moisture is the most important factor controlling ozone uptake in California forests. Expected changes in climate will profoundly affect the ozone uptake by California forest ecosystems. These results suggest that in California, a better metric would be one that incorporates forest physiological activity, either through mechanistic modeling or by weighting ozone concentrations by stomatal conductance, or by weighting concentrations by site moisture conditions. Please see web site for publications related to this research. 2000 Progress Report - Developing an Indicator for Nutrient
Supply in Tropical and Temperate Estuaries, Bays, and Coastal Waters
Using the Tissue Nitrogen and Phosphorus Content of Macroalgae The overall goal of this project is to develop an indicator that
quantifies nutrient supply to tropical and temperate marine ecosystems
using the tissue nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of macroalgae.
There are five specific objectives to this project: 1) continue
to identify and test potential species for use as indicators; 2)
establish relationships between timing and magnitude of nutrient
supply and accumulation of N and P in algal tissue; 3) establish
quantitative relationships between environmental conditions, N and
P supply, and tissue N and P; 4) develop a numerical simulation
model based on experimental results that may be used as a "standard
curve" for the indicator to hindcast nutrient supply in the
field; 5) field test the indicator. Results show that both Acanthophora
spicifera and Hypnea musciformis are good candidates as indicators
within tropical See web site for numerous publications related this research. 1999 Progress Report - Sediment Contamination Assessment Methods:
Validation of Standardized and Novel Approaches The objectives of this research project are to: (1) determine whether freshwater sediment criteria and standard U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acute and chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation tests are appropriate indicators of ecological risk, and (2) develop an effective approach to evaluate sediment contamination that includes: (a) an in situ component for sampling and testing to reduce uncertainty in determinations of risk, and (b) appropriate models for predicting sediment quality criteria. Results to date have shown acute toxicity existing at the three test sites (Clark Fork River, Montana, and the Little Scioto River and Dicks Creek in Ohio) resulting from metals, PAHs, and PCBs. Spatial variation has ranged from small to large at the test sites. Toxicity has been greater in sediment exposures than in overlying waters. See website for publications related to this research. 1999 Progress Report - Monitoring Regional-Scale Hydrologic
Processes in the South Florida Ecosystem The objective of this project is to advance techniques for monitoring and predicting changes in hydrologic condition of regional scale wetland ecosystems in the south Florida region. The ultimate goal of this study is to integrate continuous ground monitoring data, bimonthly ERS SAR imagery, LandsatTM, and ancillary data into hydropattern monitoring models to map longitudinal changes in wetland condition over the 3-year study period. During the first 2 years of this project, efforts focused on collection of satellite data and field data, development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) database in the Big Cypress/Everglades region of southern Florida, and conducting preliminary analyses and model development. The last year of this project was focused on using the databases created to develop products including hydropattern maps, hydrologic flow models, and TM-MSS change images. Publications/Presentations: Kasischke E. Project results and goals. Presented at the Annual U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR Program Workshop, May 1999. Smith K. Application of synthetic aperture radar to monitor landscape level hydrologic processes in South Florida. Presented at the ASLO conference in Boston, MA, June 1–3 1999. 1999 Progress Report - Characterization of the Ecological Integrity
of Commercially Grazed Rangelands Using Remote Sensing-Based Ecological
Indicators The low biological productivity of rangelands has made point-based monitoring of the ecological status difficult to economically justify. The researchers will test several remote-sensing based means of characterizing changes in the integrity of lands on one large ranch in northern Utah. The assessment will occur at multiple scales including: landscape, watershed, administrative (i.e., public versus private land), individual paddock, ecological site, and piosphere (waterpoints). A geographic information system with 33 layers of biophysical and management information has been built for the study area. Variation in climate is by far the major driver of trends observed in this index: the system behavior is best characterized as an unstable limit cycle. See website for numerous publications on this project 1999 Progress Report - Developing Effective Ecological Indicators
for Watershed Analysis The overriding purpose of this project is to develop improved indicators and innovative techniques for assessing and monitoring ecological integrity at the watershed level in the western United States. Specific objectives are to develop practical, scientifically valid indicators that (1) span multiple resource categories, (2) are relatively scale independent, (3) address different levels of biological organization, (4) can be rapidly and cost effectively monitored by remote sensing, and (5) are sensitive to a broad range of anthropogenic and natural environmental stressors. The first field season in summer 2000, a "pilot study" year, was used to test stream geomorphology and riparian community sampling methods to determine whether the methods will identify characteristics of these systems that might respond to watershed inputs and therefore be indicators of watershed condition. Publications/Presentations: Aspinall R. Remote sensing and rivers. Presented at the USGS NAWQA Liaison Meeting, Sheridan, WY, February 29-March 1, 2000. Aspinall R, Marcus WA. Overview of high spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery. Presented at the BioMedware Workshop on Exposure Assessment Using High Spatial Resolution Hyperspectral Data, Ann Arbor, MI, August 15-16. Marcus WA, Peterson C. Detecting amphibian habitats and areas of metal accumulation with high spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery. Presented at the BioMedware Workshop on Exposure Assessment Using High Spatial Resolution Hyperspectral Data, Ann Arbor, MI, August 15-16, 2000. Patten DT. Developing effective ecological indicators for watershed analysis. Presented at the USGS NAWQA Liaison Meeting, Sheridan, WY, February 29-March 1, 2000. Patten DT, Minshall W, Lawrence R, Marcus A. Developing effective ecological indicators for watershed analysis. Presented at the Environmental Projection Agency Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Conference on Ecological Indicators, Las Vegas, NV, May 8-10, 2000. 1999 Progress Report - Land Use and Geomorphic Indicators of
Biotic Integrity in Piedmont Streams The main objective of this research is to define the predictive capabilities of scale-variable attributes of land cover (GIS-based) and geomorphology as risk assessment indicators of biotic integrity of stream ecosystems. The watershed under investigation is the Etowah River basin, north of Atlanta, Georgia. This research is investigating several important questions: Do physical stressors and the corresponding ecological response vary as a function of land use? Is this relationship consistent within watersheds of vastly different sizes? Does antecedent land use (>50 years ago) influence the physical stressor and ecological response relationship? Preliminary results show most streams are incised and the prevailing valley flat is a terrace. Watersheds that experienced most erosive past land use (row crop agriculture, forestry, urbanization) and thickest valley floor sedimentation exhibit greatest incision. Publications/Presentations: Rosemond AD, et al. Development of a scientific understanding of the effects of land use on stream ecosystems. In: Rosemond, et al., eds. Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference. The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, April 1999;187-189. 2000 Progress Report - Assessment and Analysis of Ecosystem
Stressors Across Scales Using Remotely Sensed Imagery Reducing Uncertainty
in Managing the Colorado Plateau Ecosystem The purpose of this research project is to investigate issues of scale in reducing uncertainty in ecosystem management for the Colorado Plateau ecosystem by examining potential characteristic scales at which environmental stressors and their effects may be manifested on ecosystem landscapes, as detected by remotely sensed imagery. The project is developing an analytical algorithm for using multiscale, remotely sensed data in the characterization and analysis of landscapes at the ecosystem level. Year 1 of the project focused on development of the tools for the scale analysis methods evaluated: fractal analysis, multiscale variance, variogram analysis and local variance analysis. Publications/Presentations: Chavez PS, MacKinnon DJ. Automatic detection of vegetation changes in the southwestern United States using remotely sensed images. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 1994;60:571–583. Lyon JG, Yuan D, Lunetta R, Elvidge C. A change detection experiment using vegetation indices. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 1998;64:143–150. Mas JF. Monitoring land-cover changes: a comparison of change detection techniques. International Journal of Remote Sensing 1999;20:139–152. Qui H-L, Lam NS-N, Quattrochi D, Gamon JA. Fractal characterization of hyperspectral imagery. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 1999;65:63–71. Weigel S. Participation in the GeoData Conference sponsored by the Federal Geographic Data Committee, Washington, DC, June 1999. 1998 Progress Report - Development And Testing Of A Multi-Resource
Landscape-Scale Ecological Indicator: Forest Fragmentation, Structure,
and Distribution Relative to Topography The objective of the proposed research is to develop a multi-resource (forest and stream), landscape-scale indicator of ecological integrity for the Mid-Atlantic Highlands Region. The specific components of forest integrity (forest interior birds) and stream/watershed integrity (N export) are hypothesized to be intricately linked by their dependence on forest characteristics, particularly their distribution relative to landscape topography. Work in the first year of funding focused on: (1) selection and mapping of field sites for empirical studies of avian diversity and reproduction; (2) an intensive spring/summer field season censusing avian species; (3) collection of field data on forest structure within field sites; and (4) obtaining and analyzing remote sensing imagery (LandsatTM and synthetic aperture radar). Two supplements to the original project research plan included quantification of food availability for ground-feeding forest birds and collection of tree cores to quantify forest productivity at all field sites. See website for numerous publications on this project 2000 Progress Report - Regional Ecological Resource Assessment
of the Rio Grande Riparian Corridor: A Multidisciplinary Approach
to Understanding Anthropogenic Effects on Riparian Communities in
Semi-arid Environments The objectives of this research project are to: 1) acquire and analyze high-resolution remotely sensed data from multiple sensors; 2) integrate existing and new field data and remotely sensed data into a Geographic Information System (GIS) to map the riparian vegetation of the lower reach of the Rio Grande; 3) ascertain whether the native communities are maintaining themselves and identify the topographic, edaphic, and other ecological factors that perpetuate these communities; 4) interpret spatial variations in riparian habitats, including comparisons of the northern and southern banks of the Rio Grande; 5) analyze temporal changes at specific locations; 6) develop a foundation for future analysis of riparian floodplain communities by linking local and remotely sensed regional data using a GIS. Progress during the first year was primarily in the areas of data acquisition, preparation of GIS layers for modeling and analysis, current land-use and soils mapping, vegetation surveys and ground truthing, and remote data classification. Publications/Presentations: Paull G, Lopez A, Salazar MI, Raney J, Tremblay T. Building a GIS database for the Texas-Mexico border region. Presented at the Geological Society of America's 34th Annual Meeting, South Central Section, Abstracts with Programs, 2000(32);3:A.38.32 The Spatial Patterning of Land Use Conversion: Linking Economics,
Hydrology, and Ecology to evaluate the Effects of Alternative Future
Growth Scenarios on Stream Ecosystems Conversion of land to human usage has degraded freshwater ecosystems throughout the United States and worldwide. In this project, we are interested in how the timing, rate and the spatial configuration of the land conversion influences stream habitat and ecosystem health. Further, we wish to examine how government policy and economic analyses can be used to guide future growth patterns and thus minimize ecological degradation. 2000 Progress Report - Multi-level Indicators of Ecosystem Integrity
in Alpine Lakes of the Sierra Nevada The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop protocols for environmental assessments of alpine lakes in the Sierra Nevada with a range of human impacts. These assessments will be conducted over the range of levels of biological organization (molecular to ecosystem) utilizing currently available assessment techniques and with the addition of two new ecological indicators. The use of population genetics analysis as a response indicator and the use of molecular biomarkers of exposure to contaminants as a diagnostic indicator are proposed for incorporation into monitoring and assessment programs for surface waters. Eight lakes (low, minimal and high impact) were sampled. Final Report - Health Indicators for Salt Marsh Estuaries of
the South Atlantic Bight The purpose of this research project was to examine the development and testing of simple, inexpensive, and rapid methods for assaying and monitoring the general health of salt marsh ecosystems in the southeastern United States. Results show the relative abundance of tanaids and amphipods at a marsh site together with the inverse of the incidence of P. pandalicola in estuarine populations of grass shrimp may provide a promising measure of environmental stress. See website for publications/presentations 2000 Progress Report - An Integrative Aquatic Ecosystem Indicator
In this project, we establish a relationship between the dissolved and particulate sources of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in lake water and tributary sources with watershed land use and forest cover. Our goal is to integrate watershed, lake, and pelagic zooplankton assemblages in a multi-tier ecological indicator for monitoring lake integrity. Preliminary results show Calanoid copepods were the most sensitive indicators having up to 95 percent of their variance attributed to the lake component. Therefore, this group would be especially useful for use in regional assessment of lake condition. See website for publications/presentations 1998 Progress Report - Development of Environmental Assessment,
Mitigation and Restoration Techniques for Coral Reefs The purpose of the proposed study is to develop protocols that can be applied to the protection, monitoring and restoration of coral reefs. Using coral larvae reared from spawning events, bioassays were performed using metamorphic induction as the test of effect of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fluoranthine. Chlorpyrifos was found to inhibit settlement and metamorphosis (recruitment) of larvae of the coral Goniastrea retiformis at levels as low as 5 parts-per-billion (ppb) when the preferred substrata were exposed, as well as when larvae were exposed and subsequently offered unexposed substrata. Fluoranthine was found to affect metamorphic induction/recruitment of Acropora wardii larvae at levels of 50 ppb. The program to study effects of the sewage outfalls and eutrophication on corals is progressing. See website for publications/presentations 2000 Progress Report - Integrative Indicators of Ecosystem Condition
and Stress across Multiple Trophic Levels in the San Francisco Estuary
The objectives of the proposed research are: 1) To establish the utility of potential indicators of ecosystem condition at three stations along a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Estuary. These include nutrient status and productivity performance of phytoplankton, reproductive rates of common copepod (zooplankton) species, nutritional condition of larval Pacific herring using morphometric characters, changes in benthic community structure and growth rate, condition, and glycogen content of key benthic organisms, and expression of stress proteins in benthic bivalves, larval herring and copepods. 2) To investigate relationships of indicators to variation in other physical (e.g., temperature, salinity, turbidity) and biological (e.g., introduced species, copepod prey for herring) parameters, and 3) To assess the utility of the ecological indicators for use in other locations. Measurements of temperature, salinity, nutrients, and algal biomass as chlorophyll were made monthly on 12 water column cruises that occupied three stations in San Francisco Bay along a salinity gradient. Publications/Presentations: Dugdale RC, et al. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Workshop, Las Vegas, NV, May 2000. Hogue VE, Lassiter AM, Marchi A, Wilkerson FP, Dugdale R. Phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the North and Central San Francisco Bay (Suisun, San Pablo, and Central Bays). Poster to be presented at the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, February 2001. Kimmerer WJ, Peñalva C. All copepods are not created equal: effects of the clam Potamocorbula amurensis on estuarine foodwebs. Presented at the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Science Conference, Sacramento, CA, October 3-5, 2000. Sanders AM, Bollens SM, Johnson TM. Condition indices of larval Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) in the San Francisco estuary. Poster presented at the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Science Conference, Sacramento, CA, October 3-5, 2000. Thompson J. Invited talk at the National Shellfisheries Association Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, March 2000. Thompson J. Invited talk at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO, August 2000. Wilkerson FP, Dugdale RC, Hogue V, Marchi A, Lassiter A. A comparison of phytoplankton bloom dynamics in North and Central San Francisco Bay (Suisun, San Pablo, and Central Bays). Presented at the CALFED Bay-Delta Program Science Conference, Sacramento, CA, October 3-5, 2000. CISNet San Pablo Bay Network of Environmental Stress Indicators
The primary objective is to design a monitoring network that is temporally and spatially adequate to provide advance warning of the ecological impacts of natural and anthropogenic stressors. The parameters to be monitored at these sites will be established by testing an extensive set of potential indicators, including chemical, biochemical and ecological variables. 2000 Progress Report - Using Bioindicators To Develop a Calibrated
Index of Regional Ecological Integrity for Forested Headwater Ecosystems This project involves the development of an integrated and calibrated indicator of ecological integrity for forested headwater streams in the Mid-Atlantic States. We are investigating the utility of a new indicator that would be sensitive to stressors at both the site- and landscape-scale in forested headwaters (i.e., integrated). We studied 6 streams in northeastern Pennsylvania, 7 streams in central Pennsylvania, and 10 streams in southwestern Pennsylvania. We were particularly interested in documenting nest predation levels in 2000, for comparison to the apparently elevated levels we observed in 1999. Our observations in 2000 indicate that the high nest predation rates observed in 1999 were indeed anomalous. Publications/Presentations: Master T. The use of the Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) as a bioindicator of watershed ecological integrity. Presented at the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Symposium on Western Ecological Systems: Status, Issues, and New Approaches, San Francisco, CA, April 1999. Mulvihill RS, Girvan MK, Irwin MA, Vitz A, Thompson JM. Effects of stream acidification on the breeding biology of an obligate riparian songbird, the Louisiana Waterthrush. Poster presented at the 117th Stated Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, Ithaca, NY, August 1999. Mulvihill RS, Wallace H, Master T, George G, Gooding L, Brooks R, O'Connell T, Prosser D. Productivity of the Louisiana Waterthrush on pristine and impacted streams across Pennsylvania. Poster presented at the 117th Stated Meeting of the American Ornithologists' Union, Ithaca, NY, August 1999. Mulvihill RS, Girvan MK, Irwin MA, Vitz A, Thompson JM. Effects of stream acidification on the breeding biology of an obligate riparian songbird, the Louisiana Waterthrush. Presented at the 7th Annual Monastery Run Symposium, Saint Vincent College. Mulvihill RS. Effects of stream acidification on the breeding biology of an obligate riparian songbird, the Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla). In: Sharpe WE, Drohan JR, eds. The effects of acidic deposition on aquatic ecosystems in Pennsylvania, Chapter 9. Also, in: Proceedings of the 1998 PA Acidic Deposition Conference, Vol. II. Environmental Resources Research Institute, University Park, PA, 1999. 2000 Progress Report - Effects of Interacting Stressors in Agricultural
Ecosystems: Mesocosm and Field Evaluation of Multi-level Indicators
of Wetland Responses The purpose of this project is to evaluate indicators of molecular, cellular, population, community, and ecosystem responses to multiple, potentially interacting, natural and anthropogenic stressors that vary at different spatial and temporal scales in agricultural wetlands. The chosen indicators represent a selection of mechanism-based and system-level integrative characteristics that might be more cost-effective for routine monitoring. Our efforts in the project's second year have been directed towards the mesocosm experiment, further development of GIS and field site selection, and a field survey to characterize the biota of the river basin and refine field sampling protocols. See website for publications related to this research. Final Report - Integrating Planning, Forecasting, and Watershed
Level Ecological Risk Assessment Techniques A Test in the Eastern
Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion The objectives of this research project were to: (1) test the relationships between biological conditions of streams and the nature and distribution of human activities on the watershed; (2) demonstrate methods for linking physical models of urban and agricultural impacts on runoff volume and runoff quality; (3) define the relationships between physical model forecasts and the biological conditions of streams; and (4) integrate all of the findings into an expert system to be used by planners. The study was conducted on the Darby Creek Watershed in central Ohio. The grantees were able to define a set of empirical models for the Eastern Cornbelt Plains Ecoregion that explain a significant amount of the variation in Index of Biotic Integrity levels across watersheds. See web site for publications related to this research. Final Report - Influences of Watershed Land Use on Stream Ecosystem
Structure and Function Researchers measured ecosystem function during autumn and spring for 2 years in streams draining eight watersheds in the Chattahoochee River basin that represent the range of land uses observed in the Georgia Piedmont. Watershed land use exerts a primary control on the observed annual exports of nutrients and sediments, which can be seen most clearly when yields (kg/km2) of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments are compared. For all constituents, yields increase in the order forest stream < suburban stream < urban stream < agricultural stream. Stored benthic organic matter appears to be driving respiration in forest streams, whereas anthropogenic inputs of labile carbon are driving urban stream respiration. Hence, human activities on the landscape that alter channel morphology and patterns of water movement impact the rate at which a stream can assimilate nutrients. Urban and suburban streams had greatly reduced fine particle retention, largely because of decreases in hydraulic complexity and in-stream retention structures, which reduced the size of transient storage zones. Retention of leaf material was also lowest in urban streams. A greater proportion of organic matter inputs to forest streams was lost via respiration than in either suburban or urban streams; values of this index were least in agricultural streams. 1999 Progress Report - Developing Methods and Tools for Watershed
Restoration: Design, Implementation, and Assessment in the Willamette
Basin, Oregon The overall objective of this research is to refine and integrate models of watershed function and economic characterizations of restoration options with stakeholder-determined constraints and priorities, provide a tool for stakeholders to identify feasible restoration strategies, and evaluate the ecological and economic effectiveness of these strategies at addressing watershed-level function. Progress was made on several fronts, including design and implementation of the decisionmaking framework, definition of rulesets for several restoration options, interaction with the two stakeholder groups involved in the research, development of economic and social data sets related to the research, and development of biodiversity models. Preliminary results indicate that as watershed councils develop, they shift from process concerns to identifying and completing projects. During the initial stages of formation, watershed councils focus most on their organizational identity and structure. As they become more organized, their interest shifts to restoration projects. Water quality is the top priority for both watershed councils; bacteria and temperature are the two most important water quality issues. After water quality, riparian habitats (primarily restoring vegetation to more natural conditions) and fish passage are the next priorities. Wetlands, macroinvertebrates, and biodiversity receive less attention. Social networks are important for watershed councils in organizing and conducting projects. Newly emerging watershed councils generally have narrow social networks, but their social networks can be significantly broadened through the efforts of a full-time coordinator. Publications/Presentations: Bolte J, Lamy F. Restoration decisionmaking. Poster prepared for presentation in future watershed council meetings. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1999. Gilden J. Early views of the Willamette Valley and The Kalapuya of the Willamette Valley. Posters presented at the 1999 Lane County Fair, the Happy Valley Tree Fair, Linn SWCD Annual Meeting, Building the Watershed Movement, and various watershed council meetings. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1999. Langpap C. Economics of watershed restoration. Poster prepared for presentation in future watershed council meetings. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1999. Smith C, Gilden J. Centuries of change: significant events in the history of the Willamette Valley (in preparation). Smith C, Gilden J. Pre-GIS decision tool analysis of watershed council priorities (in preparation). Smith C, Gilden J. Assets for moving from assessment to action. Abstract to be presented at the American Water Resources Association International Conference on Riparian Ecology and Management in Multi-Land Use Watersheds, Portland, OR, August 27–31, 2000. Thiemon C, Gilden J. Historical conditions. In: Watershed Assessment. Eugene, Oregon: Long Tom Watershed Council (in press). Vache K, Bolte J, Lamy F. Watershed sediment generation and transport processes. Poster prepared for presentation in future watershed council meetings. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1999. 1999 Progress Report - Multi-scaled assessment methods: Prototype
development within the Interior Columbia River Basin This study of multi-scaled relationships among terrestrial and aquatic variables of importance for ecological assessment in the interior Columbia River Basin (ICRB) has six objectives: link and quantify biophysical and biological patterns of terrestrial and aquatic systems (Objectives 1 and 2), develop new methods for predicting ecological patterns (Objective 3), develop and evaluate the performance of hierarchical ecological classifications (HECs) to represent and scale spatial patterns and processes (Objectives 4 and 5), and prototype methods of representativeness assessments for conservation (Objective 6). Our accomplishments and results include: (1) implementation and testing of a knowledge-based system for assessing the suitability of land areas for conservation and for use at different stages of conservation planning, (2) completion of tests of the ability of HECs to represent the regional variation in specific patterns and processes, and (3) integration of ecological classifications in the analysis and modeling of biotic patterns and ecological and conservation assessments. See website for publications related to this research. 2000 Progress Report - Development & Evaluation of Multi-Scale
Mechanistic Indicators of Regional Landscapes Effective ecological monitoring requires specific knowledge of the target ecosystem and the factors that regulate ecosystem's dynamics. Indicators that accurately characterize ecosystem integrity must integrate those aspects of landscapes that influence the movement of energy, materials and organisms within and between ecosystems, the local availability of nutrients and other resources, the structure of biological communities, and the composition and juxtaposition of ecosystem elements. The investigators have developed suites of ecological indicators that cross spatial scales, mechanistically reflect ecosystem states and processes, are statistically robust, and are applicable across regional landscapes. See web site for publications/presentations related to this research. 1999 Progress Report - An Integrated Watershed Approach to Evaluate
and Model Ecosystem Effects of Erosion and Pollutant Transport in
Urbanized Subalpine Landscapes A critical component for long-term planning at Lake Tahoe is a water clarity model, based on the lake's capacity to receive and process sediment and nutrients. By knowing the level of loading required to attain the desired lake conditions (TMDL approach), responsible agencies will be better able to plan in a more quantitative and progressive manner. Based on research from Years 1 and 2, along with our other extensive research and monitoring data base, we have been developing such a predictive model as the focal point of this grant. The clarity model also provides the structure for future water quality research and monitoring in the Tahoe basin See web site for publications related to this research. 2000 Progress Report - Ecological Indicators for Large River-Floodplain
Landscapes The purpose of this project is to develop and test ecological indicators
(population, community, ecosystem and landscape) for large river-floodplain
landscapes along the Wisconsin River. Floodplain land use and land
cover were analyzed since the 1930s along nine 12-20 km reaches
of the Wisconsin River by analyzing and digitally classifying 200
historical aerial photos corrected against modern orthophotographs.
Results showed that floodplain deciduous forest cover increased
in almost every reach up to 51 percent while the number of forest
patches declined, indicating an increase in the amount and connectivity
of forest. The number of gaps in forest cover have increased in
half the reaches since the 1930s, but an increase in wetlands suggests
restoration of natural habitat as agriculture declined. Analyses
of 1999 denitrification, soil microbial activity and soil organic
matter indicate several interesting trends. Denitrification See web site for publications related to this research. 1999 Progress Report - Use of Multi-Scale Biophysical Models
for Ecological Assessments: Applications in the Southeastern United
States Our analysis of spatiotemporal variation in tree growth, using both long-term forest inventory data and dendrochronological analysis, demonstrates why long-term spatially-spatially distributed data are essential for understanding and interpreting variability in ecological processes, which is the primary theme of this project. Not only does the "typical" growth rate of trees change from one climatic period to another (e.g., 1920–1960 versus 1960–1980), but the "optimal" conditions for a species shifts from one position on the landscape to another. The tree-ring analysis clearly shows that during wet periods the tulip poplars on Walker Branch Watershed grew most rapidly on ridgetop sites, while during dry periods the tulip poplars in the valley bottoms were growing fastest. The spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological processes reveal complexities that must be understood before environmental changes and anthropogenic impacts can be detected and interpreted. Similar phenomena were found in our analysis of aquatic data. Publications/Presentations: Huston MA. Microcosm experiments have limited relevance for community and ecosystem ecology: synthesis of comments. Ecology 1999;80:1088-1089. Huston MA. Local processes and regional patterns: appropriate scales for understanding variation in the diversity of plants and animals. Oikos 1999;86:393-401. Huston MA, McVicker G, Nielsen J. A functional approach to ecosystem management: implications for species diversity. In: Szaro C, Johnson NC, Sexton WT, Malk AJ, eds. Ecological Stewardship: A Common Reference for Ecosystem Management. Oxford: Elsevier Science, 1999;2:45-85. Huston MA. Forest productivity and diversity: using ecological theory and landscape models to guide sustainable forest management. In: Toward a Unified Framework for Inventorying and Monitoring Forest Ecosystem Resources, U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Station Report (in press). LaFon CW. Spatial patterns of ice storm occurrence in the New River Valley. New River Symposium Proceedings 1999;68-77. LaFon CW, Graybeal DY, Orvis KH. Patterns of ice accumulation and forest disturbance during two ice storms in southwestern Virginia. Physical Geography 1999;20:97-115. LaFon CW, Huston MA, Horn SP. Effects of agricultural soil loss on forest succession rates and tree diversity in East Tennessee. Oikos (in press). LaFon CW, Speer JH. Using dendrochronology to identify ice storm events in oak forests in southwestern Virginia. Climate Research (submitted for publication). 1999 Progress Report - Development and Evaluation of Ecosystem
Indicators for Urbanizing Midwestern Watersheds The research examines eight third-order watersheds near Indianapolis, Indiana, that are in transition from rural to urban. We are evaluating linkages between increased urban runoff, altered channel morphology, water quality effects, and reduced biotic integrity for three sites on each stream. A dynamic physically based hydrology model has been developed that can simulate cross-sectional averaged velocities, shear stress velocities, and water depth variability during storm peaks. Both flow and water temperature predictions using this model have shown excellent results compared to field measurements in a headwater stream. Efforts currently are ongoing to extend this model to predict instream dissolved oxygen and nutrient transport. Publications/Presentations: Younus M, Hondzo M. Stream temperature dynamics in upland agricultural watersheds: measurements and modeling. J Environ Engineering 1999 (in press). Rich C, Spacie A, Doyle M. Fish community response to changes in stream hydrology following urbanization. Presented at the Indiana Chapter, American Fisheries Society Technical Conference, Muncie, IN, March 3, 1999. Rich C, Spacie A, Doyle M, Harbor J. Urbanization's effects on streams: linkages between altered hydrology, geomorphology, habitat and fish assemblage structure. Presented at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Chicago, IL, December 8, 1999. The Impact of Lawn Care Practices on Aquatic Ecosystems in Suburban
Watersheds The working hypothesis of this project is that homeowner beliefs, values, and socioeconomic status will determine loads and ecological impacts of turf care chemicals (pesticides and nutrients) in aquatic ecosystems in suburbanized watersheds. The specific objectives of this investigation are to 1) Measure the loading to streams and temporal trends in concentrations of turf care products and biological indicators of stream ecosystem health in creeks receiving storm water drainage from residential neighborhoods of different socioeconomic status, and 2) Compare the cultural models of lawn and lawn care held by "experts" and "homeowners" in order to determine their points of commonality and divergence, and establish the systematic nature of internal and contrastive variation. 2000 Progress Report - Assessment of forest disturbance in the
mid-Atlantic region: a multi-scale linkage between terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems The objective of this project is to develop, test, validate, and demonstrate an analytical framework for assessing regional-scale forest disturbance in the mid-Atlantic region by establishing a multi-scale linkage between forest disturbance and forest nitrogen export to surface waters. In early 2000, we completed an analysis of regional-scale forest disturbance and associated dissolved N export from Shenandoah National Park (SNP), Virginia—a large contiguous area of forested land within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Long-term watershed research conducted in SNP indicates that annual export of dissolved N from forested watersheds to surface waters increases dramatically in response to vegetation disturbances. The results of our analysis showed that forested ecosystems within SNP normally retain a very high percentage of atmospherically-deposited N, but forest disturbances such as insect defoliation can dramatically alter the input/output balance. Annual nitrogen export from SNP forests began increasing in 1987 from a baseline rate of about 0.1 kg/ha, peaked in 1992 at an average rate of 1.68 kg/ha (more than a 1500 percent increase), and has been steadily declining since then. See website for numerous publications related to this project 1999 Progress Report - Land Use and Geomorphic Indicators of
Biotic Integrity in Piedmont Streams The main objective of this research is to define the predictive capabilities of scale-variable attributes of land cover (GIS-based) and geomorphology as risk assessment indicators of biotic integrity of stream ecosystems. We have selected 30 streams (10 each in 15, 50, and 100 km2 watersheds) and characterized the land use and geomorphic condition, and assessed biological integrity at each site. Landscape analysis also indicated that areas of greater urban land cover are more fragmented and have greater road densities than less urbanized watersheds. Watersheds that experienced most erosive past land use (row crop agriculture, forestry, urbanization) and thickest valley floor sedimentation exhibit greatest incision. Smallest watersheds (15 km2) tend to exhibit greatest lateral migration and incipient floodplain development, whereas larger streams function as incised large capacity channels that rarely flow overbank. Stream chemistry changed along the gradient of land use. Phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate, and specific conductance all increase as a result of decreasing forested land use, but some of the responses show scale dependency. Publications/Presentations: Rosemond AD, et al. Development of a scientific understanding of the effects of land use on stream ecosystems. In: Rosemond, et al., eds. Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference. The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, April 1999;187-189. 1999 Progress Report - Modeling Spatial and Temporal Dynamics
of Montane Meadows and Biodiversity in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem This research project examines the ecological dynamics in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, concentrating specifically on the spatial and temporal dynamics of montane meadow communities. We have sampled for 3 years in two regions of the ecosystem: the northern region in the Gallatin National Forest and northwestern portion of Yellowstone National Park, and the southern region in Grand Teton National Park. Birds, butterflies, and plants were surveyed at each of the sites. See web site for publications related to this research. OTHER INFORMATION ON ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS AND ASSESSMENT US EPA's EMAP: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program US EPA's Office of Research and Development; National Exposure
Research Laboratory Indicator Development Strategy US EPA's Office of Research and Development; National Center
for Ecological Assessment Ecological Risk Assessment Guidelines US EPA's Office of Research and Development; National Center
for Environmental Research's STAR Report on "Ecological Assessment
& Indicators Research" US EPA's Index of Watershed Indicators
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
