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SCIENCE TO INFORM POLICY ON PROTECTION OF HEADWATER STREAMS
Citation:
FRITZ, K. M. SCIENCE TO INFORM POLICY ON PROTECTION OF HEADWATER STREAMS. Presented at North American Benthological Society, Columbia, SC, June 03 - 07, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of this research is to develop methods and indicators that are useful for evaluating the condition of aquatic communities, for assessing the restoration of aquatic communities in response to mitigation and best management practices, and for determining the exposure of aquatic communities to different classes of stressors (i.e., pesticides, sedimentation, habitat alteration).
Description:
Recent court cases concerning the definition of jurisdictional waters under the Clean Water Act have illuminated a need to better understand characteristics and functions of headwater streams (and associated riparian and wetland habitats). Research is needed to better quantify 1) spatial extent of channels and associated hydrologic connectivity; 2) cumulative influence of various headwater classes on downstream water quality; and 3) critical characteristics and functions for protection and restoration. Large-scale, high resolution maps are needed to recognize channels from surrounding landforms. Because these water bodies are widespread and abundant, a robust classification system that relfects the variation seen across spatial and temporal scales is needed for broad and local decisions. In order to identify significant nexus, research tools are needed that quantify the aggregate influence of individual headwater stream classes on water quality of downstream waterbodies. Studies must move beyond measuring pattern and process within the stream reach and toward the functional role of stream reaches wihtin the whole network. In response to these needs, USEPA's Office of Research and Development has developed a research framework, and we have begun developing maps, spatially explicit models, and indicators that best characterize the hydrologic permanence of headwater streams.