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Research Programs: Sound Science
Ecosystems Protection
NHEERL Research Programs
The increasing pace and extent of ecological change has led to concerns about the integrity of ecological processes necessary for long-term ecosystem functioning and the continued utility of ecological systems as providers of goods and services. Ecosystems are extraordinarily dynamic, complex, and unpredictable. They are constantly changing in response to a multitude of natural and human influences, as well as from their own internal dynamics. Predicting change is essential for managing ecosystem sustainability. To accomplish this, it is necessary to evaluate ecosystem condition and causes of ecosystem deterioration through environmental monitoring and assessment. It is also important to understand the processes affecting ecosystem health and the ecological effects of stressors on these systems (ecological risk assessment). Finally, an understanding of the impact of our policies and actions is also desirable, and this is being performed through a program called Integrated Science for Ecological Challenges.
Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program (EMAP)
Problem: Change in ecological systems, including their structure and function, may result from multiple stressors across multiple scales and multiple pathways. As such, the many mechanisms by which stressors may act on or alter ecosystems are poorly understood, as are the immediate and long-term consequences of those alterations. Research is needed to better understand the health of the ecosystem and the potential impact of human activities on ecosystem health. Ecosystem condition must be adequately monitored to ensure integrity and sustainability. The Environmental Monitoring & Assessment Program (EMAP) is a major EPA research program whose purpose is to develop the science necessary for monitoring the health of our Nation's ecological resources (e.g., wetlands and estuaries). EMAP has established proof-of-concept studies at the local, watershed and state level of ecological assessments. NHEERL is involved in several components of EMAP research, including: 1) the development of biocriteria for aquatic resources, a critical component to the implementation of the Clean Water Act; 2) the evaluation of the condition of coastal ecosystems (coastal monitoring) under the Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP) issued in 1998; 3) an assessment of the results of the Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (MAIA), which is being used to develop state-of-the-environment reports; and 4) a study of regional level problems resulting from regionally distributed stressors (the Western Pilot study).
Scientific Questions (biocriteria):
- How can we utilize probablistic monitoring design in developing biological targets and reference conditions?
- How can we integrate probablistic and targeted monitoring in the development of biological criteria?
Approach (biocriteria): NHEERL is supporting the development of biocriteria by establishing reference conditions for streams and small rivers. Biocriteria research involves the establishment of a threshold for comparing ambient conditions. From these thresholds, biocriteria are then determined which serve as a measure of impairment to biota. This research will build on the experience gained from states and focus on developing an approach to establish rigorous and scientifically defensible biocriteria. Biocriteria will be developed for various aquatic resources, including coastal systems, estuaries and wetlands. Incorporating biocriteria into EMAP-type monitoring designs will be used by regions, States and Tribes to track the regional effectiveness of ecological management policies. (This aspect will be implemented through EMAP's Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (R-EMAP). Methods for determining reference conditions will be field tested on a local level through the REMAP program.)
Recent Highlights:
- In the West, our studies have led to more accurate population estimates for Oregon's Coho salmon. Conventional monitoring methods had consistently overestimated salmon stocks, while the use of EMAP probability surveys provided a more realistic estimate of actual numbers. These findings led to a restructuring of Oregon's fishery management sampling program.
- In the East, we showed that chemical contaminants may no longer be the major stressors on streams and rivers. The major stressors appear to be associated with non-point source problems related to land use. This finding has led several states to incorporate EMAP probability surveys into their monitoring programs.
- EMAP indicators, when used in our probabilistic monitoring design, have reduced monitoring costs. We characterized the trophic status of northeastern U.S. lakes using only 344 lakes, a savings in both time and cost over a conventional study requiring a census of 2756 lakes.
- Our research on ecoregions has assisted states in their assessments of chemical, physical, and biological criteria. For example, and ecoregion framework developed for the State of Tennessee, which complements its watershed assessment program, helped in the development of biocriteria and regionalization of water quality regulatory efforts.
- An EMAP project undertaken in Maine to investigate mercury contamination of its lakes and fishes was a stunning success. The project used an EMAP probabilistic approach to sampling. The analysis was faster, less expensive, and provided more information than conventional study designs. The data led to a state-wide fish consumption advisory that was later extended to New Brunswick, Canada.
Scientific Questions (Coastal Monitoring):
- What is the condition of the estuarine resources in the US?
Approach (Coastal Monitoring): EMAP's coastal monitoring program will develop the first national environmental report card for coastal regions and provide EPA with baseline and trend analyses for determining important gaps in our understanding of the aquatic health of our nation's estuaries. Using probabilistic sampling designs and response indicators, our program will implement nationwide coastal monitoring technologies developed under EMAP and work directly with the Office of Water, Regional Offices, coastal states and tribes, and other federal agencies to transfer new monitoring designs to local monitoring programs. The current focus of the coastal program is estuaries, developing baselines for tracking performance of efforts to control excess nutrients and sediment contamination.
Recent Highlights:
- The Condition of Mid-Atlantic Estuaries is the first in a series of planned State-of-the-Region Resource Reports for the Mid-Atlantic. Hailed as a prototype for the Vice President's "Environmental Report Card 2000," the report provides the first-ever analysis of the health of 5,500 square miles of estuaries in this important geographic region. Based on report results, the State of Maryland established a National Estuary Program to further protect its coastal bays.
- Our scientists collected ecological condition data from 1990 through 1993 from the estuarine waters stretching from the Chesapeake Bay north to Long Island Sound. The information on ecological conditions is documented in EMAP - Virginian Province Four-Year Assessment, which serves as a baseline for comparison with later studies.
Scientific Questions (MAIA):
- What is the current condition of the Mid-Atlantic region?
- What are the biological, chemical, and physical processes affecting the exposure and response of ecosystems in the Mid-Atlantic to multiple stressors, both chemical and nonchemical?
- What is the relative risk posed by those stressors, alone and in combination now and in the future?
Approach (MAIA): A five-year study of all the states in EPA's Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic Region) has produced the first scientifically defensible ranking of point and non-point source stresses, invasive species and habitat disturbances with respect to their impacts on freshwater and marine communities. Geographic studies such as the MAIA focus on improving aquatic, estuarine, wetland, terrestrial, and landscape monitoring of regional conditions. MAIA demonstrated the efficacy of monitoring designs on a broad scale, and the utility of indicators of actual ecological effects of anthropogenic stresses. Research directions for MAIA will shift from data collection to assessment. A geographic focus to research will reduce scientific uncertainty and limitations in currently available monitoring designs, will significantly improve ecological assessments and risk management decisions, and will enable us to better monitor the condition of the environment and track the cumulative effectiveness of our management and policy.
- MAIA has been a dramatic success story. This research illustrated that EMAP sampling designs and indicators could be used in large-scale geographic assessments of ecological quality. MAIA is setting the standard worldwide for analyzing and presenting environmental data to the public. Its State-of-the-Region Reports will form the basis for an integrated "report card" on environmental health.
- An Ecological Assessment of the United States Mid-Atlantic Region: A Landscape Atlas used measurements derived from satellite imagery as well as data collected on the ground to depict changing patterns of land cover and land use across the Mid-Atlantic. This important document helped identify the most vulnerable environmental areas within the region, and it was used by the State of Maryland during the development of its Governor's Smart Growth Initiative in 1999.
- The Condition of Mid-Atlantic Estuaries is the first in a series of planned State-of-the-Region Resource Reports for the Mid-Atlantic. Hailed as a prototype for the Vice President's "Environmental Report Card 2000," the report provides the first-ever analysis of the health of 5,500 square miles of estuaries in this important geographic region. Based on report results, the State of Maryland established a National Estuary Program to further protect its coastal bays.
- Results of MAIA's Integrated Estuarine Monitoring Program were highlighted in the EPA Office of Water's (OW) National 305(b) Report to Congress entitled "National Water Quality Inventory - 1996 Report to Congress." MAIA studies were cited as an example of the direction in which aquatic monitoring should proceed, with OW recommending that probability surveys be incorporated into state monitoring programs.
- MAIA has provided important insights for ecosystem management. Based on MAIA data, regional administrators were able to evaluate the impact of a new coal mining extraction practice involving mountaintop removal and valley fill. In their assessment, the proposed mining plans would not only increase forest fragmentation, they would also destroy some of the most productive stream habitat in the region.
Scientific Questions (Western Pilot):
- What is the condition of the western US ecosystems?
- Can we develop an monitoring design to evaluate the condition of diverse landscapes including arid, grassland, and alpine ecosystems?
Approach (Western Pilot): This new multi-year EMAP study was initiated in FY2000 to evaluate the ecological condition of the western U.S. in cooperation with EPA Regions 8, 9, and 10. Monitoring tools developed and used in the Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment (MAIA) will be adapted to the western ecosystems. The Western Pilot will test methods in the arid, grassland, and alpine ecosystem in western states, and provide EPA, states and tribes with interoperable monitoring designs. There are four major components of the Western Pilot: 1) landscape atlas for western states; 2) intensive monitoring in 3 priority watersheds: the Columbia River basin, Missouri river Basin, and San Francisco Bay region; 3) Pacific coast monitoring; and 4) west-wide study. EMAP is scheduled to complete the landcover classifications for the western states in early 2000. Surveys will be initiated in three large geographic ecoregions/watersheds in the west (Alaska, Hawaii in 2001) to test indicator performance and survey design.
Recent Highlights:
- Sampling of small estuaries of the West Coast was completed in 1999, and the landcover data base for western states also has been completed.
Ecological Risk Assessment
Problem: Change in ecological systems, including their structure and function, may result from multiple stressors across multiple scales and multiple pathways. As such, many mechanisms by which stressors act on and alter ecosystems are poorly understood, as are the immediate and long-term consequences of those alterations. Research is needed to better understand the health of ecosystems and the potential impact of human activities on the health of ecosystems. Ecosystem condition must be adequately monitored to ensure integrity and sustainability. In particular, research is needed to determine the ecological effects of atmospheric stressors, such as nitrogen, as well as their regional extent.
Scientific Questions:
- What are the biological, chemical, and physical processes affecting the exposure and response of ecosystems to stressors such as nitrogen or acid disposition?
- What is the relative risk posed by nitrogen in the environment?
- What is the impact of various stressors on the spatial distribution of wildlife populations?
- How can we reduce uncertainties in ecological risk assessments?
Approach: Research being performed by NHEERL is being used to: 1) assess the impacts of acid deposition on NE lakes and streams, 2) establish a classification system and models relating loadings and ecosystem response for nitrogen in aquatic systems, 3) develop spatially explicit predictive models for evaluating risks to wildlife, and 4) develop aquatic models for predicting carcinogenic risk to humans. This research focuses on ecological processes and effects modeling. Demonstrations of national assessments utilizing information of this sort are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive site monitoring. The research focus includes efforts to study the impact of atmospheric stressors in urban and rural settings, as well as the impact of acid deposition on streams and lakes in the Northeastern US. These stressors and their impact on various aquatic resources, such as riparian zones, wetlands, and estuaries, will be monitored in deposition and in other media (e.g., sediments, soils and waters). In addition, our research will focus on the development of models to determine the spatial distribution of wildlife species in response to various stressors. Lastly, this research will focus on the development of methods to extrapolation between species and mechanistic information for use in the development of ecological risk assessments.
Recent Highlights:
- We recently developed a mathematical model that determines the response of estuaries to nitrogen loading. The model uses a mass-balance approach to calculate nitrogen concentrations and denitrification and export rates in estuaries.
Integrated Science for Ecological Challenges (ISEC)
Problem: Research is needed to develop a capacity to evaluate and measure the success or failure of policies in sustaining or improving ecosystem health. Measuring the performance of policies in the context of promoting sustainable ecosystems will mean that models of ecosystem health will have to be linked with models of socioeconomic forecasting that drive human demands on our ecosystems in a manner that has never been achieved before.
Scientific Questions:
- What are the effects land use on ecosystems health, now and in the future?
- What is the condition of human health in the context of ecosystem stressors?
Approach: NHEERL is working to develop models linking land use patterns with condition of resources in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. NHEERL's research efforts in this area will develop methods and models to integrate socioeconomic analysis with landscape ecology and ecological risk assessment and give EPA, state, and local community-based environmental partners capability to identify the most significant environmental stress and select risk reduction alternatives to improve or sustain biological and chemical water quality in streams, rivers, and estuaries
