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Land Use and Geomorphic Indicators of Biotic Integrity in Piedmont Streams

EPA Grant Number: R826597
Title: Land Use and Geomorphic Indicators of Biotic Integrity in Piedmont Streams
Investigators: Leigh, D. S. , Freeman, M. C. , Freeman, B. J. , Kramer, E. A. , Pringle, Catherine M. , Rosemond, A. D.
Institution: University of Georgia
EPA Project Officer: Levinson, Barbara
Project Period: January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2001
Project Amount: $780,834
RFA: Ecological Indicators (1998)
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Description:

Our main objective 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 overarching hypothesis is that stressors (changes in water and sediment flux) and ecological responses (habitat and biotic diversity) vary as a function of land use, because the stressors affect channel geomorphology and its function as the physical template for stream ecosystems. Furthermore, we hypothesize that antecedent (palimpsest) land cover conditions (i.e. past agriculture) may have had significant impacts on stream ecosystems, from which the streams have not yet fully recovered. There is traditionally a lack of consideration for the land use history of watersheds in relation to stream ecology, thus an underlying objective is to measure and evaluate indicators of past land use and their correlation to present-day stream ecosystems.

Approach:

The proposed study area is the upper Etowah River basin north of Atlanta, where we will examine watershed-scale (50-150 km2) and reach-scale (100-1000 m) variables that incorporate temporal dimensions of antecedent and current land use. Our focus will be on watersheds that range from 0 to 50% urban land cover (including residential) so that we may model and define incipient levels of ecological decline, rather than focus on heavily urbanized landscapes. During year-1 we will evaluate and model the correlations between landscape, geomorphic, and stream habitat conditions in 30 watersheds, stratified into three size groups at approximately 50, 100, and 150 km2. A comprehensive set of field-based geomorphic and biotic parameters will be measured in 100 m segments at the outlet of each sample watershed. Land cover in the basins will be measured by commonly accepted geographic information system (GIS) techniques. We propose to evaluate measures of past impacts on the landscape by incorporating land cover data from historical aerial photographs (1930s-1940s) and by investigating past sedimentation rates on flood plains. During year-2 we will narrow our focus to ten 1 km reaches that include five unexplained residuals in models developed during year-1, paired with five watersheds that represent a better fit. The 1 km reach analysis will include detailed hydrologic monitoring and aquatic habitat assessment in addition to the same standard geomorphic and biotic measurements used in the 100 m segment analysis. The goal of the 1 km reach analysis will be to identify influential variables at the reach-scale that may operate independent of the watershed characteristics.

Expected Results:

A major outcome will be an exemplary and scientifically-sound data set of remotely-sensed land cover as well as field-based geomorphic measurements that serve as risk- assessment indicators for ecological effects. The evaluation of historical disturbances will be an innovative and important contribution toward this end. We foresee our results providing a template for ecological risk management alternatives that may involve aspects of basin-wide planning as well as stream restoration projects, which pertain to urbanizing regions of the Appalachian Highlands.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 59 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

population, integrated assessment, geology, surveys, EPA Region 4. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Water & Watershed, Biology, exploratory research environmental biology, Geology, Ecology, Ecological Risk Assessment, Ecological Indicators, Ecological Effects - Human Health, EPA Region, Watersheds, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Monitoring/Modeling, agriculture ecosystems, risk assessment, water quality, ecosystem indicators, landscape indicator, stream ecosystems, land use, GIS, aquatic ecosystems, geomorphic indicators, land use effects, soil, aquatic biota

Progress and Final Reports:
1999 Progress Report
2001 Progress Report
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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