analyzing stream condition using emap algae data by nick paretti arizona phycology ecol 475
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Analyzing Stream Condition Analyzing Stream Condition Using EMAP Algae Data Using EMAP Algae Data
By Nick Paretti
ARIZONA PHYCOLOGY
ECOL 475
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Program (EMAP)Program (EMAP)The EMAP Western Pilot Study requires a representative sample of biotic assemblages along with physical and chemical measures across 12 western statesThe sampling consists of the five following components: water chemistry, physical habitat, periphyton assemblage, benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, and aquatic vertebrate assemblage. The data will be used to generate state and regional scale assessments of the condition of ecological resources in the western United States, and to identify stressors associated with the degradation of these resources.
Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer
EPAWhat proportion of stream and river miles in the western U.S. are in acceptable (or poor) biological condition?What is the relative importance of potential stressors (habitat modification, sedimentation, nutrients, temperature, grazing, timber harvest, etc.) in streams and rivers across the West?
This projectUse a random subset of data (n=168)Statistical analyses Oneway ANOVA and simple regressionDetermine if algae can be used as an indicator of stream condition
CladophoraCladophora
Chlorophyte (Green Algae)Chlorophylls a and b Xanthans and Carotenoids Filamentous Habitat for MacroinvertebrateFish cover for young Food source
MicrocystisMicrocystis
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Unicellular clustersNitrogen fixation Chlorophyll a and phycobilins Indicator of eutrophication Lacking a membrane-bounded nucleus Wide range of temperatures
EMAP ProtocolEMAP ProtocolRandomly selected SiteReach 40 X channel width11 transectsCanopy cover
DensiometerSix measurements are obtained at each cross-section transect
Measurements in four directions at mid-channel and one at each bank
Water body character Assign a rating of 1 (highly disturbed) to 5 (pristine) based on your
5. Beautiful, could not be any nicer.
4. Very minor aesthetic problems; excellent for swimming, boating, enjoyment.
3. Enjoyment impaired. 2. Level of enjoyment substantially
reduced. 1. Enjoyment nearly impossible.
Canopy CoverCanopy Cover
Riparian canopy cover
Stream temperatures
Shading / Light penetration
Inputs of coarse and fine particulate organic material
Organic inputs are food for stream organisms
Relation of Canopy Relation of Canopy
Negative Relationship
Less light
Less photosynthesis
Less primary productivity
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Per
cent
Alg
ae0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1
Canopy Cover
R-square .04 F-ratio <.0001
N=168
Dominant Land UseDominant Land UseAlgal biomass as an indicator of nutrient enrichmentProblems related to excessive nutrient enrichment
EutrophicationAlgal bloomsDepletion of Oxygen
Suburban/ townHuman activities, fertilizer application, burning of fossil fuels
RangeAnimal Waste
AgricultureEutrophicFertilizers
Forested streamsOligotrophicLeaf litter
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.1
00.1
0.20.3
0.4
0.50.6
0.70.8
0.9
11.1
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.1
00.1
0.20.3
0.4
0.50.6
0.70.8
0.9
11.1
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.1
00.1
0.20.3
0.4
0.50.6
0.70.8
0.9
11.1
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
Dominant Land UseDominant Land Use
Oneway ANOVA Analyzing percent algae
The Forest dominated stream is statistically different than Range and Suburban/town
Statistically level 5 of Pristine is different than level 1 Trends
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.10
0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
1 2 3 4 5
Pristine
Each Pair
Student's t
0.05
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.10
0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
Per
cent
Alg
ae
-0.10
0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
1 2 3 4 5
Pristine
Each Pair
Student's t
0.05
Prob > F 0.0024 Prob > F 0.0686
NutrientsNutrients
Water Chemistry
Inconclusive evidence comparing percent algae to Nutrient concentrations
Selected chemicals
NO3, DOC, DIC, NH4, total phosphorus, total nitrogen (dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen and articulate organic and inorganic nitrogen, minus N2 gas)
The forest dominated stream is statistically different than the agriculture dominated stream
NutrientsNutrientsD
OC
0
5
10
15
20
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant Land use
t 0.05
Dic
0
100
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dominant land use 0.05
Ptl
-2000
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dlanduse
No3
0
100
200
300
400
500
Agriculture Forest Range Suburban/Town
Dlanduse
Stream OrderStream Order
Increased VelocityIncreased VolumeIncreased Inputs
Organic MatterHuman InfluencesFertilizers
Nutrient Load More AlgaeBlooms
Analyzing percent algaeA first order stream is statistically different than a seventh order stream
Trends
Stream OrderStream OrderP
erce
nt A
lgae
-0.10
0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9
11.1
1 2 3 4 5 7
Stream OrderProb > F 0.0119
ConclusionsConclusionsAlgae as a biological indicator
Identify algae Identify stressors associated with the degradation of stream habitatCanopy CoverDominant Land useAesthetic appealNutrientsStream Order Interpret the data and apply it to vertebrate communities and restoration Produce unbiased estimates of the ecological condition of surface waters across a large geographic area (or areas) of the West