You are here:
Development of rapid methods for measuring stream ecosystem functions in the Appalachian coal mining region: preliminary results
Citation:
JOHNSON, B. R., K. M. FRITZ, AND R. Price. Development of rapid methods for measuring stream ecosystem functions in the Appalachian coal mining region: preliminary results. Presented at West Virginia Coal Association, Charleston, WV, December 11, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
The primary objective of this study is to provide assessment programs with tools to assess functional attributes of headwater streams. In particular this study will 1) provide rapid and cost-effective methods for measuring ecosystem functions across the hydrological gradient (i.e., ephemeral, intermittent and perennial), 2) assess the effectiveness of the rapid methods relative to more time-consuming methods, and 3) assess the relationships between structural and functional measures.
Description:
Headwater streams represent the majority of U.S. stream miles. As a consequence of being abundant and widespread, the alteration and loss of headwater streams may have impacts on downstream waterbodies. These streams are frequently the subject of proposed dredge and fill projects (e.g., road building, valley-fills). Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and the USEPA must fairly identify potential impacts to stream functions and values associated with proposed activities for mitigation purposes. However, the traditional approach to stream assessment has been to use structural measures as indicators of condition rather than directly assess the functional properties of water bodies. Structural measures identify the organization and composition of the physical, chemical and biological components in a system (e.g., diversity, abundance), whereas function measures are the dynamic properties of systems such as processes and rates (e.g., decomposition, metabolism). Functional measures may be preferred over structural measures because they can be more readily linked to economic and ecological value, particularly for headwater streams which are frequently not direct resources for municipal and recreational uses. This study will provide rapid techniques to measure functional properties that can be used by the regulating community, but also justify the use of some structural properties as indirect measures for the function of running waters.