Impact of Habitat and Water Quality on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community in a Multi-stressed Urban Stream

Impact of Habitat and Water Quality on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community in a Multi-stressed Urban Stream PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Macroinvertebrates in urban streams in Ohio are potentially compromised by habitat loss, by the annual peak discharge event, and by degraded water quality. The Mill Creek in Southwest Ohio is a significantly channelized river that collects storm water runoff, wastewater treatment plant effluent, permitted dischargers, sanitary sewers, and combined sewers. Channelization areas have had 12-40 years to re-grow. Most of the riparian zone, although narrow, is lined with trees that shade the channel. The result is eutrophication by nutrient loading, some toxic chemical spills, and habitat simplification. This study was designed to show the relative impacts of habitat and water quality on the macroinvertebrate community in a multi-stressed urban stream. Possible limiting factors were quantified and evaluated along the main-stem of the Mill Creek and related to the macroinvertebrates five times over the summer of 2000. The habitat was characterized using the Ohio EPA's QHEI, the estimated peak flow, and pebble counts. Water quality was quantified by the nutrient concentrations found. Both habitat and water parameters were compared to macroinvertebrate density, taxa richness, and the calculated metric, invertebrate community index. Data was collected for base flow in the summer and autumn of 2000-2001. The QHEI and the ICI were linearly related over transects done in four non-consecutive years within a decade. Multiple regression showed several habitat variables correlated to taxa richness. ANOVA identified average species richness was significantly impacted by both water quality and habitat variables. A non-parametric method (detrended canonical correspondence analysis) separated the determinants for invertebrate communities along a nutrient (19.1% of variance) and habitat axis (11.1% of variance).

Impact of Habitat and Water Quality on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community in a Multi-stressed Urban Stream

Impact of Habitat and Water Quality on the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community in a Multi-stressed Urban Stream PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Macroinvertebrates in urban streams in Ohio are potentially compromised by habitat loss, by the annual peak discharge event, and by degraded water quality. The Mill Creek in Southwest Ohio is a significantly channelized river that collects storm water runoff, wastewater treatment plant effluent, permitted dischargers, sanitary sewers, and combined sewers. Channelization areas have had 12-40 years to re-grow. Most of the riparian zone, although narrow, is lined with trees that shade the channel. The result is eutrophication by nutrient loading, some toxic chemical spills, and habitat simplification. This study was designed to show the relative impacts of habitat and water quality on the macroinvertebrate community in a multi-stressed urban stream. Possible limiting factors were quantified and evaluated along the main-stem of the Mill Creek and related to the macroinvertebrates five times over the summer of 2000. The habitat was characterized using the Ohio EPA's QHEI, the estimated peak flow, and pebble counts. Water quality was quantified by the nutrient concentrations found. Both habitat and water parameters were compared to macroinvertebrate density, taxa richness, and the calculated metric, invertebrate community index. Data was collected for base flow in the summer and autumn of 2000-2001. The QHEI and the ICI were linearly related over transects done in four non-consecutive years within a decade. Multiple regression showed several habitat variables correlated to taxa richness. ANOVA identified average species richness was significantly impacted by both water quality and habitat variables. A non-parametric method (detrended canonical correspondence analysis) separated the determinants for invertebrate communities along a nutrient (19.1% of variance) and habitat axis (11.1% of variance).

The Effects of Instream Structures on Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Salmonid Habitat in Cee Cee Ah Creek of Pend Oreille County, Washington

The Effects of Instream Structures on Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Salmonid Habitat in Cee Cee Ah Creek of Pend Oreille County, Washington PDF Author: Scott Jungblom
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aquatic invertebrate populations
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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"Past stream habitat restoration has been focused primarily on increasing specific fish populations with little knowledge of how these habitat manipulations affect the benthic macroinvertebrate community. This study focuses on assessing the immediate effects of instream habitat restoration structures on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and its environment. Physical measurements, water quality measurements, benthic invertebrate and substrate composition samples were taken at three experimental structure locations and one upstream control site twice before structure placement in June and July 1998 and twice after structure placement (October and November 1998). Six benthic samples were taken at each site on each sample date. Three samples each were taken five meters above and below the structure site, sampling a ten-meter zone of impact for each structure. The Kalispel Natural Resource Department built a series of salmonid stream habitat restoration structures in Cee Cee Ah Creek of Pend Oreille Co. Washington in August of 1998. Experimental site 1 received a modified single log weir or channel constrictor, site 2 received a K-dam and site 3 received an upstream-V weir. Comparisons were made between data collected at each site before structure placement vs. after and between each experimental site vs. the upstream control site. All sites shared similar physical and water quality data within each sample date except for slight differences in stream width, embeddedness, and discharge, which changed seasonally. Cobble dominated the system with a high percentage of gravel substrate present at site 3. Structure construction resulted in an increase in stream width and depth at each site above and/or below each structure. There was no significant difference in benthic density or community metric analysis between upstream and downstream samples at any site throughout the study. Therefor upstream and downstream samples were combined to assess each structure's complete ten-meter zone of impact. The upstream control site density did not change significantly throughout the study. However, the density of each experimental site (site 1, site 2, and site 3) and the combined experimental sites (site 1+2+3) did increase significantly in post structure samples (October and November combined). There was no significant difference in the density of the control site and experimental sites one or three either before or after structure placement. However, the density at site 2 (K-Dam) and at the combined experimental sites was significantly higher than the control site after structure placement (October and November combined). Community composition did not change significantly throughout the study at any site and there was no difference between the control site and any experimental site before or after structure placement. The total number of families present during the study was 60, dominated by Chironomidae at site 1 and alternated between Chironomidae and Heptageniidae at the control site, and experimental sites 2 and 3. While the number of feeding guild taxa did not change significantly at any site during the study, the percent shredder composition increased at all three structure sites for both post-structure sample dates. The upstream control did not show a similar trend. Analysis of each sample's volumetric substrate composition in relation to its invertebrate metrics values showed significant differences in metric values corresponding to certain substrate compositions for all the metrics tested except Percent Dominant Family. Samples with reduced small, medium, large and combined gravel compositions and increased cobble + boulder concentration showed an increase in water quality for the metrics: Density, Total Number of Taxa, EPT Index, and the Shannon-Weiner diversity index. However samples with the above substrate compositions showed a decrease in water quality for the metrics: Scraper/Collector ratio, percent EPT, EPT/C ratio and FBI score. This study shows that instream habitat restoration structures significantly increased local macroinvertebrate density and did not jeopardize community diversity or composition. By using instream structures that create specific substrate class compositions habitat managers may be able to enhance problem macroinvertebrate community metrics found in initial assessments. While the scope of this study was restricted to short-term effects on a specific habitat, these results clearly identified the benefits of instream structures as well as the need for future long-term studies to include pre-restoration sampling at control or reference sites"--Document.

Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States

Effects of urban development on stream ecosystems in nine metropolitan study areas across the United States PDF Author: James F. Coles
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Stream ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 138

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Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Ecological Assessments

Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Ecological Assessments PDF Author: Alison Holmes Purcell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 494

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Water Quality Monitoring

Water Quality Monitoring PDF Author: Jamie Bartram
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000101606
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Book Description
Water quality monitoring is an essential tool in the management of water resources and this book comprehensively covers the entire monitoring operation. This important text is the outcome of a collborative programme of activity between UNEP and WHO with inputs from WMO and UNESCO and draws on the international standards of the International Organization of Standardization.

Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Rivers

Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Rivers PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Water quality bioassay
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Structure in Relation to Water Quality and Habitat in the Upper Pecos River, Texas

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community Structure in Relation to Water Quality and Habitat in the Upper Pecos River, Texas PDF Author: Greg L. Larson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aquatic animals
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Effects of Land-use Change on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Upper Reaches of the Apies-Pienaar Catchment

Effects of Land-use Change on Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Upper Reaches of the Apies-Pienaar Catchment PDF Author: Joseph Alexander Mulders
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aquatic invertebrates
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description
Urbanisation of catchment areas is a major cause of freshwater ecosystem degradation worldwide. As catchments become more developed and river ecosystems become increasingly engulfed in various land use activities, there is a growing need to understand these impacts on freshwater ecosystems. Benthic macroinvertebrates are extensively used as indicators of ecosystem health and have been an instrumental tool in ecosystem monitoring and management. The effects of changing land use on macroinvertebrates at a fine scale however, have not been extensively investigated. Therefore an investigation was conducted to compare chemical, physical and biological surface water quality parameters and aquatic macroinvertebrate community composition along the first 8 km of the Hartbeesspruit, which contains multiple land use types, in the upper Apies-Pienaar catchment in Gauteng, South Africa. Five sampling sites corresponding to changes in land use were sampled four times at six-week intervals from September 2013 to February 2014. Influential variables that were recorded included in-stream habitat, riparian cover, flow regime and surface water quality parameters. Physical surface water parameters that were tested in situ included pH, salinity, total dissolved solutes, temperature, clarity and conductivity. Ex situ surface water parameters that were tested included physical parameters (alkalinity and turbidity), chemical parameters (major ions, metal ions and nutrients), and biological parameters (bacteria, coliforms and Escherichia coli). Macroinvertebrates were sampled using Hester-Dendy artificial samplers, which, following a 6 week exposure period, were sampled three times from November 2013 to February 2014. Macroinvertebrates were identified to family level and counted. Macroinvertebrate community composition across sites was assessed through macroinvertebrate abundance, family richness, SASS score, ASPT, Shannon-Wiener index, Pielou s evenness, non-metric multidimensional scaling and Indval analyses. Nineteen families were collected, of which only three made up 80% of macroinvertebrates sampled. These families were Hirudinea, Chironomidae and Oligochaeta. Indices of macroinvertebrate community composition indicated a general increase in value from upstream to downstream which showed similar comparative variation between sites to physical water quality parameters (except temperature and clarity), major ions (except arsenic), the metal ion magnesium and nutrient sulphate. Surface water parameters showed patterns indicative of effects due to evaporation, dilution and connectivity of water flow along the stream due to the presence of dams and wetlands. Temperature was an important influence on macroinvertebrate abundance and family richness at a temporal scale. On a spatial scale the most influential parameters on macroinvertebrate composition were seen to be depth, turbidity and conductivity, and temperature to a lesser extent. The land use types that showed the greatest association with various assemblages were the urban, recreational and least transformed wetland land uses. Although major influential factors, this pattern was not seen to be strictly due to the input of contaminants arising from associated activities, nor the variation in physical characteristics, but rather the discontinuity in flow regime. It was concluded that at a fine scale, the strongest factors that influenced macroinvertebrate community composition along the Hartbeesspruit, was not land use type but rather the hydrological pathways of connectivity and stream flow that exist within the system. The hydrological pathways influenced values and concentrations of chemical and physical surface water parameters which in turn further influenced macroinvertebrate assemblages present.

Relations of Benthic Macroinvertebrates to Concentrations of Trace Elements in Water, Streambed Sediments, and Transplanted Bryophytes and Stream Habitat Conditions in Nonmining and Mining Areas of the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado, 1995-98

Relations of Benthic Macroinvertebrates to Concentrations of Trace Elements in Water, Streambed Sediments, and Transplanted Bryophytes and Stream Habitat Conditions in Nonmining and Mining Areas of the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado, 1995-98 PDF Author: Scott V. Mize
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Benthic animals
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Determining the Association Between the Structure of Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Agricultural Best Management Practices

Determining the Association Between the Structure of Stream Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Agricultural Best Management Practices PDF Author: Roger Holmes (M.Sc.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
Farmers have been encouraged to adopt more sustainable farming practices (BMPs) that mitigate adverse agricultural effects on the natural environment. However, the ability of BMPs to protect or restore riverine systems continues to be questioned due to limited evidence directly linking BMP use with improved ecological conditions. The exclusion of hydrological pathways in previous field studies may explain why a direct link has not yet been established. The goal of this study was to assess the association between benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and the number and location of agricultural BMPs. Macroinvertebrates and water chemistry were sampled in 30 headwater catchments in the Grand River Watershed. Catchments exhibited gradients of BMP use and location as measured by the degree of hydrologic connectedness. Stepwise ordination regressions and variance partitioning were used to determine which environmental variables (i.e., BMP metrics, water chemistry parameters, habitat characteristics, and land use variables) were associated with benthic macroinvertebrate community structure. Water chemistry parameters were negatively associated with BMP metrics suggesting BMPs were mitigating losses of nutrients and sediments. However, BMP abundance and location explained minimal variation in benthic macroinvertebrate structure within the 30 sampled catchments. The absence of a strong association between BMPs and benthic macroinvertebrates may indicate a need for greater numbers and targeted siting of BMPS to improve water quality beyond a threshold point that would allow recolonization of intolerant invertebrate taxa. Focusing of conservation goals on ecological conditions and the promotion of BMPs that enhance in-stream habitat may also be required.