Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 02117

Branch : Aquatic Ecology Branch

Study Plan Number : 02117

Study Title : Ecological Thresholds and Structured Decision Analysis Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrate as Indicators of Stream Health in the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Rivers and Mountains Vital Signs Networks

Starting Date : 03/01/2007

Completion Date : 02/28/2010

Principal Investigator(s) : Snyder, Craig D. and Smith, Dave R.

Primary PI : Snyder, Craig D.

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4468

Email Address : csynder@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
The National Park Service (NPS) mission, to preserve and maintain the integrity of park ecosystems for the enjoyment of future generations relies upon access to science-based information regarding the status and trends of ecosystem condition. To address this need, the NPS implemented a new strategy to conduct a service wide Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program (a.k.a., the Vital Signs Monitoring program). The purpose of this program is to develop broadly based, scientifically sound information on the current status and long-term trends in the composition, structure and function of park ecosystems.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this project are to 1) identify ecological thresholds for stream health based on aquatic macroinvertebrate data, and 2) develop and implement a structured decision process for incorporating the ecological thresholds into management of stream resources for the Mid-Atlantic (MIDN) and Eastern Rivers and Mountains (ERMN) networks. These two networks were selected for three reasons. First, both networks contain significant stream resources, and these streams are embedded within similar landscape settings. Second, both networks have already selected aquatic macroinvertebrates as high priority vital signs for their networks for the reasons presented above. Third, existing data sets are available that can be used for retrospective analyses to evaluate temporal trends and set ecological thresholds for macroinvertebrate assemblages. These project objectives are designed to address a larger need to integrate research and monitoring within management. Thus, the process we will use to identify ecological thresholds and link scientific data to management objectives will have value for other networks that use aquatic macroinvertebrates as measures of stream condition, for example, the National Capital Region and Northeast Temperate Networks. In addition, the project will use monitoring from Shenandoah National Park, a prototype within the I&M Program, to provide long term data helpful in defining thresholds for networks. Moreover, the structured decision process we develop to link management objectives to scientific data will have broad utility for use with other vital signs as well. Research and monitoring, which are separate from management, can lack relevance. The objectives will be achieved through the series of tasks detailed below.
HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
NA

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Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02117
Study Title :	Ecological Thresholds and Structured Decision Analysis Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrate as Indicators of Stream Health in the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Rivers and Mountains Vital Signs Networks
Starting Date :	03/01/2007
Completion Date :	02/28/2010
Principal Investigator(s) :	Snyder, Craig D. and Smith, Dave R.
Primary PI :	Snyder, Craig D.
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4468
Email Address :	csynder@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND The National Park Service (NPS) mission, to preserve and maintain the integrity of park ecosystems for the enjoyment of future generations relies upon access to science-based information regarding the status and trends of ecosystem condition. To address this need, the NPS implemented a new strategy to conduct a service wide Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program (a.k.a., the Vital Signs Monitoring program). The purpose of this program is to develop broadly based, scientifically sound information on the current status and long-term trends in the composition, structure and function of park ecosystems. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this project are to 1) identify ecological thresholds for stream health based on aquatic macroinvertebrate data, and 2) develop and implement a structured decision process for incorporating the ecological thresholds into management of stream resources for the Mid-Atlantic (MIDN) and Eastern Rivers and Mountains (ERMN) networks. These two networks were selected for three reasons. First, both networks contain significant stream resources, and these streams are embedded within similar landscape settings. Second, both networks have already selected aquatic macroinvertebrates as high priority vital signs for their networks for the reasons presented above. Third, existing data sets are available that can be used for retrospective analyses to evaluate temporal trends and set ecological thresholds for macroinvertebrate assemblages. These project objectives are designed to address a larger need to integrate research and monitoring within management. Thus, the process we will use to identify ecological thresholds and link scientific data to management objectives will have value for other networks that use aquatic macroinvertebrates as measures of stream condition, for example, the National Capital Region and Northeast Temperate Networks. In addition, the project will use monitoring from Shenandoah National Park, a prototype within the I&M Program, to provide long term data helpful in defining thresholds for networks. Moreover, the structured decision process we develop to link management objectives to scientific data will have broad utility for use with other vital signs as well. Research and monitoring, which are separate from management, can lack relevance. The objectives will be achieved through the series of tasks detailed below. HYPHOTHESIS TO BE TESTED NA
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility